September 2021
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, we would like to introduce you to several ESL employees who took the time to share thoughts about their unique career journey here at ESL. Their stories are an inspiration to us all, and we are proud of their accomplishments! Once you learn more about them, learn more about our continued commitment to creating and maintaining a diverse workplace that provides equitable growth opportunities for all employees.
Meet Arelis Aponte, Branch Manager, Chestnut Street
Why do you think it’s important for companies and their employees to recognize and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
I think it is important for companies to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month because it demonstrates their commitment and efforts toward diversifying the workplace and raises continued awareness.
Tell us about your current role at ESL.
I joined ESL in September 2019 and am currently managing the Chestnut Branch for ESL, and it is a role I am proud of. I work with a diverse group of individuals that share my drive to serve our members and provide the best service possible. Some of my everyday goals are to provide excellent service and lead by example to coach and develop my team.
Everyone has their own unique career journey. Share something unique about your own career experiences.
I never planned to have a career in management and especially banking. I grew up in the City of Rochester and graduated from Edison Tech in 2003. I wanted to go to college right away, and business life was last on my list. I worked odd jobs for a bit while navigating life after high school and figuring out how to pay for college.
Life has a funny way of changing your plans, and in 2005 things shifted for me. I wasn’t working for a few months as I was home taking care of family. It was time to go back to work, and I came across a commercial bank teller job posting and went for it because I had to work and further education at the time was not an option.
Thankfully, I am bilingual in Spanish and English, so early on in my career I was able to learn new things within banking and customer service by way of translating for service representatives and my supervisors while working in communities where Spanish language was necessary.
"Thankfully, I am bilingual in Spanish and English, so early on in my career I was able to learn new things within banking and customer service by way of translating for service representatives and my supervisors while working in communities where Spanish language was necessary."
A few years into banking I wanted to start school again, but it wasn’t feasible. I wanted to continue to learn and grow within banking, so I made the move to a smaller institution and discovered the amazing world of credit unions. There I learned a great amount of banking knowledge, finance, and experienced tons of personal and professional growth. I am forever grateful for the opportunities they afforded me.
I moved on to ESL in September 2019 in hopes of continuing to learn and develop on a now larger scale. So far I think it was a great decision! I look forward to challenging myself to learn even more, think outside the box, and continue to lead for many years at ESL. I am happy to also start a new journey with finally furthering my educational studies. I am currently working toward my Bachelors in Organizational Management at Keuka College. It took me a while, but I am on my way!
What has provided the best opportunities for career growth?
Working with amazing leaders and coaches along the way who have given me an opportunity when others would not. Those who saw a motivation and drive in me that I myself had not yet discovered. In 2018 I participated in the United Way Latino Leadership Program, and I wish I had done it sooner. It was a great motivator to kick start this second half of my banking career. Community partners are so important, and programs like these should be sought out by anyone looking for personal and professional development.
What career advice would you offer to those starting out?
Take your time, be humble, listen, take notes, and apply what you have learned small doses at a time until you have found your way. At times it may feel like it’s you against the world or that you will never advance. To that I say good things take time and are worth the wait. In the meantime, soak in all that your leaders are pouring into you and decide if you have that same passion. It may be difficult when you see others move on or ahead, but you can do difficult things.
"At times it may feel like it’s you against the world or that you will never advance. To that I say good things take time and are worth the wait. In the meantime, soak in all that your leaders are pouring into you and decide if you have that same passion."
Has ESL provided support to help you manage your career?
So far, absolutely! ESL has been very flexible to my needs, and I am thankful to have the resources to provide that same support to others. In 2020, like many others, everything changed for us at ESL, and I had to shift to managing through a pandemic. Certainly not something I ever thought to have on my resume, but here we are! I am thankful to be here at ESL, and the way they have navigated through the pandemic has been exemplary and provided yet another set of skills I have been able to take away from this experience.
Have you taken advantage of any of the learning and development options available to employees?
Yes! I have taken advantage of iVisits (i.e. Meet & Greets with internal departments) most recently in Audit & Consumer Lending. I thrive by getting a better understanding of how other departments function, so iVisits are a great way to get an inside glimpse of other departments. I also participated in the Emerging Leader series to continue to develop on my current skills.
"My favorite part of working at ESL is being part of something bigger. ESL is an amazing community partner and gives back in so many ways."
What is your favorite part of working at ESL?
My favorite part of working at ESL is being part of something bigger. ESL is an amazing community partner and gives back in so many ways. One example is the commitment from ESL for three new branch builds in the City of Rochester. With the one currently in the works on Lake Ave. in the Edgerton neighborhood, ESL is moving in and building from the ground up. I am proud to work for a company that understands the ever changing and growing needs of our communities and are working to diversify in so many ways.
Bilingual positions in Spanish are unique and offered at branches where Spanish speaking members frequent. We have a heavy Hispanic population, and it is important we support these members and staff in the most efficient ways possible so these positions are just one example of how ESL understands the needs of our members and staff and acts on those needs. I am thrilled to be part of helping our communities thrive and prosper.
