Meet theScore Team

Each semester, we employ a growing number of Co-op students, who are given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and make meaningful contributions to our business. Ananya was part of theScore’s Co-op program in the Summer of 2021. During her last week, she sat down with our team to reflect on her time with theScore. Be sure to check out your campus’ Co-op portal or email coops@thescore.com for upcoming Spring/Summer placements with theScore. 

1️⃣ What did you do at theScore?

I worked as a Product Manager Co-op on theScore Bet’s Identity team, which controls signups on theScore Bet app. As a betting platform, we must ensure users pass certain checks (of legal age, in a geographic location where theScore Bet operates, etc.) to use the app. I worked on feature documentation and improving the overall user experience. 

2️⃣ Your journey to theScore is pretty remarkable, can you share a bit of it?

I attend the University of Waterloo, but I’m an International student from India. I saw a great opportunity at Waterloo, so at 17 years old, I took a chance and moved to Canada by myself. I don’t have family here and had never been here before, but thankfully my parents raised me to be independent and they knew this day would come… probably not this early, but so far it’s been working out.

3️⃣ You are one of our employees that was hired during COVID restrictions, so you had to do your onboarding and work virtually. How was that experience for you?

As someone who is just starting their career, I definitely wanted an in-office experience to meet people face-to-face. In absence of that, theScore’s culture was inclusive, warm and welcoming. My team made ample time to introduce themselves and were very understanding of the challenges of meeting colleagues virtually. The company has adapted extremely well, and it was much easier working remotely than I thought it would be.

4️⃣ What was the fondest memory of your co-op placement?

I was finally able to meet the team in person! After working with them virtually, getting to meet everyone  was very rewarding. As a co-op, it can be intimidating to meet new people at different levels of the company. Given my experience at theScore, it was no surprise that everyone was welcoming and supportive. They are people who I would hang out with, which makes working together even more enjoyable. 

5️⃣ When you’re not working, what are you doing?

Outside of work, I’m a big Formula 1 fan (especially McLaren Racing). I got into the sport  when I was 14. It’s  a really interesting sport when you realize all the strategy that goes into it.

6️⃣ What have been your three most played albums so far this year?

• Taylor Swift - Evermore - I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan!
• The Lumineers - Live From The Last Night of Tour
• Adam Meclhor - Lullaby Hotline Vol. 1

7️⃣ When you open Instagram and look at your Explore page, what three main categories do you see?

I’d like to consider myself an amateur photographer, so photography would be one. Formula 1 for sure, and then Avatar: The Last Airbender memes, because I just finished re-watching it.

8️⃣ What quote(s) do you live by?

“It is so hard to leave - until you leave. And then it is the easiest thing in the world.” - John Green

This one stuck with me when I left home at 17 years old. Anytime you’re scared of doing something new, you’re so wrapped in anxiety up until you do it. Then once you do it, it’s done, and you can look back and realize how easy it was.