Finding my place at Vanguard took time, but was worth it

When I began my career at Vanguard in 2018, I was eager to dive into the financial world and make a difference. By 2022, I had achieved a significant milestone by managing over a hundred households as a financial advisor. When I look back at the individual moments that led me here, I am always amazed by the amount of support and friendships I created. This didn’t happen overnight. It took lots of friendly hellos, introductions, networking events, and stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people.

I feel proud of what I do as a financial advisor. Every day, I get to talk to clients who trust me with not only their life savings but also open up to me about their goals, aspirations, and wishes. I give them the confidence to help make those things happen every single day. I get to see their virtual reactions when I tell them, “Yes, you can go on the vacation of your dreams,” or be the person to calm them down when the noise of the outside world becomes too much.

As a financial advisor, I had reached my goal, or at least I thought I had. What could be missing from my career now that I had secured my dream job? It’s easy to slip into a routine in a 9-to-5, glued to your computer and not experiencing the outside world until 5:00 PM rolls around. Why not bring that “5-to-9” after-work fun into the workplace and make your time here more enjoyable? This is when I discovered WILS (Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success), a crew group at Vanguard.

Through WILS, I engaged in ‘coffee chats’ with a diverse group of inspiring women, discussing career aspirations and new skills we were interested in further developing. This supportive environment gave me the confidence to apply for a promotion and even helped me prepare for the interview process.

I soon became a facilitator and leader, organizing events like panel discussions and book clubs. Despite my busy schedule as a financial advisor, WILS allowed me to develop new skills I never thought I could gain in my current role. I served as the marketing/communications lead for “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” where I discovered a passion for creating effective campaigns and connecting people. In honor of Women’s History Month, I initiated a weekly newsletter to highlight the contributions of female financial advisors. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this work, and I’ve honed my communication skills by drafting interview questions and formatting email templates.

I feel fortunate to work at a place like Vanguard. My day-to-day job allows me to serve our clients and provide them with the best chance for investment success. Along with that, my role within WILS allows me to represent and help other female advisors by creating a welcoming environment to network and meet new people.

My journey at Vanguard has been both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling. The combination of my role as a financial advisor and my involvement with WILS has enriched my career in ways I never imagined. It’s not just about the numbers and the investments; it’s about the connections, the growth, and the community. I am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact, both for my clients and for the women in my field. If you’re looking to find more meaning and connection in your career, I encourage you to seek out similar communities and step into leadership roles. The journey is worth it.

-Jazlynn T.

Learn more about Financial Advice opportunities at Vanguard..