Every unique and talented Avantee is a co-creator of the Avant culture we love. We hope the @Avant series helps you get to know who we are, how we do what we do, and what it looks like to build your career at Avant.
Nimbe Juarez
Product Manager on the Account Opening Team
Joined Avant in 2014
What’s it like to work @Avant? We asked Nimbe for her take on our culture, and here’s what she said:
1. How would you describe Avant’s culture?
It’s an ever-changing and fast-paced environment. One day you’re working on one thing, and the next you’re working on something completely different. It is a very collaborative effort. I really enjoy working with multiple teams across the company, which is really nice to just get to know people. So even though things change quickly, you’re working alongside other people to get to your goal together.
2. Why are you happy/successful here?
I’ve been here for so long and transitioned through multiple teams, and I’ve learned a lot—I think I’m successful here because I love the constant learning. I started in the call center, and then I moved within the call center, and I rotated in and out—I’m always challenged. I get to work with different people, and I really appreciate the opportunity to explore. I am asked, “What do you want to do? What do you like? What do you NOT like?” That keeps me motivated—it’s not boring. It’s not doing the same thing over and over. That makes me want to keep doing the work that I’m doing.
I am also a very hands-on learner. It’s not going to sink in until I’m actually doing it. And that’s one of the things that makes Avant unique, that as you’re learning something new, you actually get to try it out. We’re all learning the new tools and initiatives we’re working toward, so it’s a lot of uncharted territory and learning as we go. I love being able to jump in and learn as we go.
3. What’s something Avant is really good at? What’s something you’d like to see us get better at?
I think that Avant is really good at asking for feedback and being receptive. Especially when we can actually see the company working toward it. Because I know a lot of the feedback is about stuff behind the scenes, so it’s harder for people to see the work, so it’s really good when it is communicated. That shows people their feedback is valued. I appreciate how we ask for feedback and then share it at Town Halls and quarterly meetings, like “we heard this feedback and this is what we’re going to do about it,” or even “we heard this and we don’t know the answer yet, but now we’re going to be looking at it.” That transparency and visibility is important to know, just to know that something is being worked on.
What we could get better at is to be more social. I’ve been here for so long and before Covid, the culture was very different. People would hang out, people would socialize after events. Now, not everybody makes it to Demo Day, or we sometimes don’t socialize afterwards. I think that would be really great. Just today, there was an email from the Product side that they’re starting to build out some social events, and those smaller events are really great because you actually get to talk to people. So that came at the perfect time! It’s important because I’ve been at the company a long time so I know people, but not everybody has that and if you only work with your own team, more cross-socialization would be really great.
4. If you were to describe who you are and not mention your work at all, what would you say?
I am somebody who loves to be challenged and loves learning, whether that’s a new sport, a hobby, just trying something new. I also love to help others. Whether it’s at a run group or somebody has a question about a new sport that they’re trying, I just love to be a resource for others.
And, I am a hard worker. I have a drive to just continue moving forward, while also appreciating where I am. Sometimes we tend to look too far in the future, and we forget about all of the things that we’ve done, and where we’re at now. That’s something I’m working on.
I also really love languages, and learning new languages. Mostly because I love to watch K-dramas, I’ve been doing Duolingo to try to learn Korean. It’s not that great for beginners, but the streak is going and it’s fun.
5. How does your work at Avant fit into the rest of your life?
My manager is really great about advocating for work-life balance, leaving work at work, not letting work take over your life. That allows me to take some of the same skills that I use at work and apply them to my personal life. I see work as this thing that challenges me during the day and gives me the chance to solve different problems, and then I use that same mindset on my personal life. What are my goals to accomplish and issues to solve? In general, work-life balance is really important to me, and my team is very supportive of that.
6. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a pediatrician. I’m the oldest of 5 kids, and I was always surrounded by kids. I love children. I was a nanny, a babysitter. So I wanted to work with children. And then I studied French, which had nothing to do with it! I realized, wait, you can actually do that and you don’t have to be a doctor.
