A day in the life of Mary Melton, Graduate Analyst

Mary is one of our first two graduate analysts. She has a Masters in International Development from the University of Edinburgh, where she researched the political economy of China’s engagement in the African mining sector. Prior to joining the company, Mary lived and worked in Haiti as an undergraduate. Her work mainly encompassed medical equipment systems management and the water and sanitation fields. Fun fact: Mary spent her summer holiday on a 5,600 mile road trip across the US, indulging in quintessential American hobbies: hitting the open road, singing country music while driving, going to Major League baseball games (8 in total at 7 different ballparks), and hiking in Glacier National Park.

What does day-to-day life in your role look like?

Innovative, complex, collaborative

What would you say is the most interesting aspect of your role?

Currently, my role encompasses tracking and analysing the shakeup which has happened as a result of the EU shipping insurance ban on vessels carrying Russian oil. My Masters research in geopolitics/macroeconomics has helped me to begin to learn these market dynamics at such a turbulent time. The freight market is so multifaceted, I think I have a handle on it, then I realise there are about 10⁵ other factors at play I’m not thinking about. I love it! Plus, I did my minor in geography so I still get a thrill everytime I look at our map screen on the UI. It makes me think of childhood hours spent playing the board game Battleship.

What was your path to joining Vortexa?

I’m always looking for opportunities to be challenged, and Vortexa offered me the chance to learn about the energy market while developing skills that I did not have from my background as a history undergraduate who did science and statistics and a little bit of everything in Haiti.

What kind of qualities does a person need to have to succeed at Vortexa?

Curiosity, a willingness to be a problem-solver within a team, and a desire to be challenged.

What do you like about the culture?

Everyone is working together to solve problems, collaborate from different perspectives, and discuss ideas, my favourite things!

Who do you collaborate with?

My colleagues in the analysis team most often, and I love that despite being spread out across the world, everyone is willing to offer their insight to help us all work towards our analysis outputs. Idea sharing and collaboration is so valuable to me, it encourages me to think differently and continuously learn. However, I don’t just collaborate within my team. One of my favourite things about Vortexa is the connections I’ve made with people in different teams such as R&D, who are helping make our product what it is! I love hearing about their work, because software engineering and data science is something I’d never spent much time with before.

What are the first three things you do on a Monday morning?

The week won’t go to plan without that first cup of tea. Then it’s time for a little light reading and some wholesome blueberry wheaties. Then the long commute to my home office awaits and it’s time to catch up on market developments from over the weekend, a lot can change in a few days!