In today’s job market, internal advancement is a major factor for staying at an organization or heading for greener pastures, and more companies are increasing professional growth opportunities to strengthen employee retention and satisfaction.
At MarketAxess, internal movement not only creates opportunity but shapes the employee experience. “Leadership places a strong emphasis on professional development and growth,” according to Teddy Velissaris, a trade desk associate based in New York City. “I’ve been supported through one-on-one mentoring, which has been invaluable in navigating my career path.”
Teddy first became interested in fintech from his brother’s work in the industry. “The idea that tech could revolutionize how we manage and interact with money fascinated me,” he explains. This fascination led him to interview for a client associate role at MarketAxess. Teddy was struck by the manager’s dedication to continuous learning and collaborative teamwork. “The company’s vision for the future, and its supportive environment, made it clear that MarketAxess was where I wanted to grow my career,” he says.
The skills Teddy acquired during his two years as a client service associate allowed him to later pivot to the role of trade desk associate working for Pragma, a business MarketAxess recently acquired. While the change presented some challenges, Teddy took advantage of all the available resources.
“The biggest challenge I experienced during this transition was acquiring the deep market knowledge needed to make informed trading decisions,” he says. “To overcome this, I sought mentorship from experienced colleagues and took advantage of the company’s extensive training resources. It was a steep learning curve, but the supportive environment—and my determination to succeed—helped me bridge the gap effectively.”
Internal mobility is a company-wide value
When considering his career path, Fisher Sellers knew he wanted to work at an innovative business that nurtured his analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. His interest in fintech, and its rapid evolution, led him to MarketAxess.
“During my research and interactions with the company, it became clear that MarketAxess valued professional growth and fostered a collaborative environment, making it an ideal fit for my skills and career goals,” he says.
In 2022, Fisher joined the company as an analyst and steadily gained valuable knowledge about multiple products and the nuances of client needs. Now, having been at MarketAxess for almost four years, Fisher is an associate sales relationship manager, a role that requires strategic thinking and client interaction.
“My transition to a sales role was supported by leadership through targeted collaboration and mentorship,” Fisher says. “The agile culture at MarketAxess encourages continuous learning and adaptation, which was instrumental in my successful pivot to sales.”
In fact, the prioritization of learning and development is a company-wide value. Fisher notes that employee growth is fostered through initiatives like robust training programs, external certificates, Lunch & Learns, and access to industry events. “MarketAxess promotes internal mobility at the forefront of company culture (sic) and across different organizational functions.”
Transitioning to a sales role within MarketAxess taught Fisher the importance of communication and building professional relationships. Looking back on his experience, he says, “My advice for those considering a career pivot is to focus on transferable skills and seek opportunities for professional development.” He adds, “Being adaptable and proactive in learning new concepts can help smooth the transition.”
A culture of collaboration and mentorship drives success
For both Teddy and Fisher, the MarketAxess culture has allowed them to flourish in their careers. Even when facing obstacles or new situations at work, they’re set up for success, Teddy notes.
For example, when he was tasked with training four new team members, he walked away with an experience that was both eye-opening and rewarding. “Over several months, I worked closely with them, providing hands-on guidance, sharing my industry knowledge, and helping them navigate the complexities of their roles,” he says.
Throughout this collaborative effort, Teddy saw firsthand how MarketAxess proactively empowers employees to expand and fortify their skills. “Seeing their progress was incredibly rewarding. They went from being tentative and unsure to tenacious, competent team members. The experience reinforced my belief in the importance of mentorship and the value of passing on knowledge. My team and managers provided the resources and time needed for effective training. They valued the development of new employees and encouraged a collaborative approach, which made the entire process seamless and effective.”