Maria’s professional journey began with her first co-op at Sonovation, a small research and development firm specializing in fingerprinting sensors. “It was a very technical role, heavily rooted in chemical engineering,” she explained. Maria worked closely with the lead scientist to develop innovative sensor technology. The experience also offered her a glimpse into hybrid work life—long before it became the norm during the pandemic. Her second co-op took her in a completely different direction: quantitative finance. Maria joined Eaton Vance, a Morgan Stanley subsidiary, working as part of a six-person team responsible for managing 40,000 client accounts. “It was a huge shift,” she admitted. “We handled portfolio management, daily account outputs, and research projects involving machine learning and large language models.”
Maria’s industrial engineering background became her superpower in this finance-heavy role. “My manager encouraged me to view processes as if they were assembly lines and find ways to optimize them,” she said. She took pride in introducing new efficiencies and applying engineering principles to improve traditional financial workflows. This interdisciplinary approach has since become a hallmark of Maria’s career. “Finance is such a traditional industry, and you’re trying to apply these new concepts and bring in people from other industries. There’s so much room for innovation,” she noted. “COVID accelerated technological improvements, creating opportunities for engineers to make a real impact”. This co-op experience changed Maria’s mindset and career focus, pushing her to apply to and continue working in finance, now at Parametric Eaton Vance as a Quantitative Analyst.
Understanding the complexities of paving her own path and navigating an industry she wasn’t initially familiar with, Maria has taken on a mentorship role at her work, advising and guiding co-ops who join her team. Having once been in their shoes, she now provides support and encouragement to help them succeed. “I enjoy being a resource for them—a voice that’s approachable, not intimidating,” she shared. Maria also conducts interviews for new co-op hires, often finding herself in a full-circle moment as she mentors young engineers transitioning into finance. She emphasized that curiosity and a willingness to learn are more important than any specific background. “You don’t need a finance degree to excel here. If you’re eager to learn, we’ll teach you,” she said.
As the only woman on her team, Maria is acutely aware of the challenges women face in male-dominated industries. While she is grateful colleagues are respectful and supportive, she acknowledges the broader industry’s struggles with gender balance. Maria recently attended the Municipal Bond Women’s Forum in New York, hosted by JPMorgan. The conference brought together women from across the financial sector to discuss mentorship, career growth, and networking. “It was inspiring to see women supporting each other and forming connections across companies,” Maria said. “It made me realize how important these spaces are for fostering confidence and collaboration”. The conference also sparked reflection on why gender disparities persist at senior levels. “We see more balance in entry-level roles, but it drops off as you move up,” she observed. “It’s something we need to keep questioning and addressing.”
Outside of her career, Maria’s interests are as dynamic as her professional life. A self-proclaimed lover of exploration, she enjoys walking around Boston, discovering live music venues, and attending cultural events like ballet and musicals. Her creative side shines through painting and dancing, while Pilates and barre classes keep her active. Maria’s upbringing also played a significant role in shaping her interests. Growing up in Russia and later moving to Malta, she was exposed to diverse cultural experiences. Her family’s weekly outings to museums and theaters fostered a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
When asked about her long-term career goals, Maria admitted she’s keeping an open mind. While she enjoys her current role, she’s also intrigued by the idea of living abroad and exploring new opportunities within the same company. “The team you work with makes all the difference,” she said. “I’m fortunate to work with people who trust me, respect me, and give me the autonomy to grow.” For now, Maria is focused on bridging the gap between engineering and finance, making strides in a field ripe for innovation. Whether mentoring the next generation of co-ops or attending women’s forums, she’s committed to fostering positive change. Maria’s journey reminds us that career paths don’t have to follow a straight line. With curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone, the possibilities are endless. Maria’s story is one of breaking molds and bridging gaps — between disciplines, industries, and people. In a world of rapid transformation, she stands as a reminder that innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about the courage to challenge convention and forge new paths.
