Below is an article originally written by PowerToFly Partner Dropbox, and published on March 20, 2018. Go to Dropbox's page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.
Our mission at Dropbox is to unleash the world's creative energy by designing a more enlightened way of working. Creative energy is the force inside everyone that drives them to be inventive, imaginative and solve big problems — it's not about being a "creative person" so much as approaching work with possibility and optimism. Our Women's employee resource group took the idea one step further and created an internal campaign, "This is Feminist Energy" and asked Dropboxers what feminist energy means to them. In celebration of Women's History Month, we'll be featuring Dropboxers and sharing their thoughts on feminist energy.
Q: What is your name, what office do you work out of and how long have you been at Dropbox?
A: My name is Betsy Aristud, I work out of the San Francisco office and I've happily been working at Dropbox since November 2017.
Q: What is your current role at Dropbox?
A: My role is Customer Strategy & Insights Marketing. I'm primarily focused on understanding Dropbox's audience so that we know how to reach them and talk to them in ways that resonate. Ultimately making them fall in love with our brand/products.
Q: What are your hobbies? or what can we find you doing on the weekends?
A: Oh boy… too many to count. I fluctuate between hiking (highly recommend "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Francisco"), reading, binge watching TV shows/movies and board games. My life is pure excitement.
Hiking views: Betsy hiking on Mt. Diablo in CA
Hiking views: View from the top of El Yunque (Puerto Rico National Rain Forest)
Q: Any accomplishments you're proud of outside of work?
A: I recently completed my 3rd year volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). I go between being a dog walker, cat socializer, dog/cat matchmaker (starting adoption process) and sometimes I help teach the next wave of volunteers. It's very rewarding to see a dog or cat, you've helped socialize go home to a new family. Seeing the happiness it brings to the family and knowing that the pet will have a warm home to sleep in that night fills my heart with joy.
Dog walking and socializing at the SFSPCA
Dog walking and socializing at the SFSPCA
Q: What's your personal story?
A: I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. My grandparents are a beautiful mix of cultures (Spanish, West African, TaÃno…). I was raised mostly by my grandparents, which was ultimately what gave me a sense of maturity and responsibility. They were wise, caring, god-fearing people and ensured all of their kids and grandkids had a strong moral foundation. They tried to give their kids/grandkids everything they didn't have growing up. And for that, I'm very grateful.
Q: What word/adjective best describes your feminist energy?
A: Harmonious Energy
Q: How do you exhibit this energy?
A: By choosing to lead from a place of balanced consensus instead of division.
Q: Who is your role model? Why?
A: My grandmother. She was raised as a poor child in Puerto Rico. She was removed from school when in 2nd grade so she could work (babysitting for a rich family) and contribute to her family's income. She went on to raise a family of six, often times collecting fruits from trees to have a little something to eat. Through it all she remained resilient and positive in the face of adversity. Now battling Alzheimer's, she still remains positive, cracking jokes to whomever will listen. I draw from her strength, and her eternal happiness.
Q: Do you have any thoughts/suggestions on how we can better celebrate women throughout the year?
A: I think we need to celebrate women by empowering them. By creating equity instead of equality. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality aims to promote fairness, but only works if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help. My wish is that all minorities get what they need to start from the same place.
Q: What is something interesting about you that not a lot of people know?
A: I started playing the mandolin when I was 8. I then consistently played in string orchestras until I left college. What people didn't know was that I didn't know how to read music. I did it all by ear. I would audition by asking the teachers to play the song for me once, or listen to the group play it, then I would pick it up from there.
Check back soon to meet more Dropboxers. In the meantime view our jobs on PowerToFly. Dropbox is growing, grow with us!
