GD Reimbursement Fund in Action: Meet Raisa Lynn

GoDaddy LifeCategory
•4 min read
Katelyn Armas

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career at GoDaddy, and your new degree!

My name is Raisa, I started on the outbound sales team in the Gilbert, AZ office in 2018, but quickly found my perfect fit in the Customer Education team as an Instructional Designer in Seattle, WA. I am also involved with Entrepreneurs in Tech, the LGBTQ+ community, and Women in Tech, here at GoDaddy.

My educational path was not a typical one. I started community college in 2010 as a Graphic Design major, but took some time to work for the Walt Disney Company on and off for 7 years. I was attending Arizona State University by 2012, but I felt like I was “behind” in life because so far behind my peers. By 2016, I had enough credits to “walk”, but I was short two math classes from earning my BA in Digital Culture. (I still argue they weren’t necessary, since I finished the rest of my degree without them 😉)

How did the GD Reimbursement Fund help you?

Shortly after I moved to Seattle, my student loans came due, but unless I completed my degree, I wasn’t eligible to refinance them. That’s when a coworker told me about the GD Reimbursement Fund. As long as I earned a B or better in my classes, GoDaddy would, as the name implies, reimburse my tuition costs. It was the added incentive I needed to finally finish my degree. It had been about 5 years since I’d taken a math class, and I was nervous about doing it online. However, I qualified for a tutor because my brain is riddled with ADHD, and I ended up earning A’s in both classes, something I didn’t think I was capable of.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

Now that I’ve closed that chapter in my life, and this is going to sound cheesy, but I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. Everyone is on their own path, and there’s no use wishing you were on someone else’s. Even though I was insecure about being “behind” in life, I’m glad I waited to take those math classes, because I was in a better place to dedicate my time and energy into my studies, and I am so proud of the results.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Something I’ve loved doing for the past 10+ years is filming my life and uploading it for strangers on the internet. I started my YouTube channel when I moved to California to work at Disneyland, and I’ve been making videos ever since. I uploaded a video talking about going back to school last year, and I was anxious to expose my situation online, but I hope my story helps someone else struggling to find the motivation to finish their education.

Why should job seekers join GoDaddy?

I’m very thankful that my managers looked deeper than just my education and focused on my relevant experience when hiring me as an Instructional Designer. I struggled to find a job for a long time because I technically didn’t have a degree. However, because of my background in online video and facilitation, I have a job I love doing, with people who are equally passionate. At GoDaddy, I’m more than just a number. I feel appreciated for my unique skills, and I have been given countless opportunities to continue building my career, supporting online entrepreneurs to become successful themselves.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERG’s, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

  • Katelyn Armas

    Katelyn Armas is the Senior Employer Brand Strategist on the Global Employer Brand Team, here at GoDaddy. Her experience includes Content and Recruitment Marketing. Outside of work, you can find Katelyn walking her Doberman named Deklan, working out, reading, traveling, and making ginger shots!
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