Profile: Marjorie Santos Beslmeisl

Position: Senior Research Analyst, Departmental Research & Support

I've been with the BIS since 2003, and before that worked for the Bank of Canada in Ottawa. My degree was in economics and, as a Canadian citizen from the Philippines, I always had a very global outlook, so I wanted to build my future in a truly international environment. That's exactly what the BIS provides.

The work I do makes a difference: I'm currently involved in preparing notes for meetings of the governors of central banks, and I believe the input we provide helps influence national policies. My position and the relatively small size of the institution also mean that I occasionally have contact with senior management: I sometimes speak to the Secretary General and a while ago I worked on a presentation for shareholders which involved a bit of interaction with the General Manager.

What does the BIS offer me that a career with another bank wouldn't? I belong to a relatively large group that provides statistical support to BIS economists and various committees and bodies based in Basel. The work entails providing economic data, which involves programming and knowing statistical and economic concepts. I also deal with many different topics that are topical in nature (eg the housing market, the sovereign debt crisis and central bank measures, among others). Overall, there's plenty of variety and I often feel that I'm learning something new. The variety is what I like about this job.

I also enjoy a good work/life balance, which is particularly important now that I have a child. Before I was a mother, I could obviously work for as long as I liked, but now I have other commitments. Everyone here is really supportive: my group is quite young, has a broad mix of skills and is very collaborative, so there's always someone that can take over my tasks and, if ever I have any questions, there's always someone on hand to answer them. Outside work, there's plenty to stimulate me, as Basel's location means I can enjoy a lot of hiking and travel to other cities.