Yoselyn Sutherland, 29, moved from a small Peruvian village to the US just four months before the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed the world economy. A year later, with the double burdens of making ends meet and adapting to Boston’s urban life during an unprecedented time, she was surprised to hear back from Chase Bank’s North Quincy branch – with a well-paid offer.
“I didn’t think I’d get it,” said Yoselyn, unable to hide her excitement. Nevertheless, she was handpicked among a total of 70 applicants to become one of the four associate bankers at the new branch last month. Throughout the pandemic, she had managed to polish her English by taking language classes while also working part-time — first at a convenience store in Somerville and then at an electronics sales department at a Target location.
“When I first came to this country, the first thing I thought about focusing on is the language,” Yoselyn recounted her journey in settling down in the US, knowing no one but her husband. “It felt like leaving all the accomplishments behind and starting all over again.”
Yoselyn grew up in a family whose members had each industriously maintained small businesses in some form. Having earned a college degree in Peru, Yoselyn described herself as a “personable person,” and her passion as helping customers and providing services. Suddenly, it all became impossible with the language barrier.
In January 2020, Joselyn browsed through the various resources available in Boston and eventually enrolled herself in the fully-funded Next Step Program of the Asian-American Civic Association. Two months later, she was part of an English class that started in person and then switched to remote Zoom lessons because of the pandemic.
“I had to just study, study, and study,” Yoselyn said without exaggeration. Despite the hardships during the quarantine and the demanding part-time job as a cashier, she entered the 8th level of a 10-level English curriculum and finished strong at the end of May.
“Yosie was the first student I ever had from Peru,” said her instructor Rebecca Liston, who recounted to Sampan the memorable moments of Yoselyn’s recitation of part of the Declaration of Independence and participation in business-idiom Zoom skits with classmates.
In August, Yoselyn decided to advance her career by trying out the Careers in Banking and Finance program offered by the same organization. The program is free to eligible students and open to candidates with no previous banking backgrounds.
“I was interested in trying out a different industry and gaining a new skill,” she said, having previously specialized in business and event planning in her hometown. She finished the program in October and began waiting patiently for a job placement.
In April 2021, Yoselyn’s resume caught the attention of the Chase Bank Vice President and North Quincy Branch Manager Aaron Lei.
“Yoselyn’s experience reminded me that the pandemic has never meant that one can’t do more to improve oneself,” Lei told Sampan on a phone call. He was impressed by Yoselyn’s career ascension from a local cashier to a salesperson at Target — and eventually a knowledgeable banking student.
In late May, Yoselyn began training for her new position at Chase, working 30 hours a week and another 15 hours at Target.
“At first, I was working at Target for 30 hours too,” said Yoselyn, recounting how her old supervisor was kind enough to cut down the hours for her to accommodate her pursuit.
“He said that I sometimes remind him of his mom, who had a degree in her home country but struggled to find a job when she moved here,” she added.
Eventually, Yoselyn proved her ability at both jobs, as she constantly took on extra responsibilities.
“She’s a fighter,” added Lei. “She always asks, ‘Can I try?’, as if nothing holds her back.”
“Candidates like Yoselyn naturally contribute to a more diverse workplace,” said Lei, who also self-identifies as a new immigrant. He anticipates a good amount of cultural exchange and bonding as his multilingual staff members begin to serve the diverse communities in North Quincy.
“When you’re from a different country, you bring a different insight to the team,” he said, adding that Yoselyn is currently working alongside colleagues from Albania, China, and Vietnam.
When asked what her future goals are, Yoselyn says she plans to stay and grow at Chase to improve her skills.
“For now, I don’t have kids. That’s why I’m working so hard,” she said, laughing. She knows that there will be challenges and that the road is long.
According to the most recent Labor Department report last week, a total of 559,000 more jobs were created in May, as the nation recovers from COVID-19. In Boston, the unemployment rate went down by 60% compared to the same number a year ago, signaling more opportunities for new and old immigrants like Yoselyn.
