The power of saying yes: how Vanguard shaped my career

My introduction to Vanguard was quite unique. As a sophomore computer science major at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, I had the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), the largest conference for women and non-binary technologists. Like any student, I spent most of my time at the career expo walking from booth to booth, hoping to secure an internship.

While at GHC, I received a call from a Vanguard recruiter who had come across my resume and believed I’d be a great fit for the College to Corporate (C2C) IT internship program. Initially, I was hesitant to participate in the interview process because I simply did not have as much time as I would have liked to prepare. However, as an eager and ambitious college student, I decided to take the opportunity and said “yes.”

From College to Corporate

That “yes” launched the trajectory of my career. During the next two summers, I completed two C2C IT internships at Vanguard. I remember feeling both nervous and incredibly excited for my first corporate internship experience. The program is designed to help students understand what it’s like to apply their skills in the “real-world” beyond the lecture hall. As an intern, I had the opportunity to work on Vanguard’s client-facing site. It was truly surreal to see my code in production, knowing that all of our incoming clients were using something I had helped build!

After my second internship, I ultimately decided to apply to the Technology Leadership Program (TLP), a two-year rotational program designed to build a strong technical foundation, business acumen and leadership skills. My experiences as an intern inspired me to begin my career post-college at Vanguard.

During my internships, I felt that Vanguard was genuinely invested in my growth and development. Not only did I get to contribute code to production applications, but I also had the opportunity to develop technical skills that are not typically taught in college courses. I felt a strong sense of community through team-building initiatives, met with senior leaders who showed a sincere interest in my work, and experienced Vanguard’s unique culture firsthand.

The Vanguard difference

As a member of the 2022 TLP Cadre, I had several opportunities to recruit for Vanguard. One question I was frequently asked is “Why did you choose to work at Vanguard?” I never needed to think about my answer. I chose Vanguard because of the great culture. We are people driven. I have never had a senior leader turn down my request for a one-on-one meeting to learn from their career.

I have never had a colleague refuse to collaborate with me to solve a problem. I have never had a leader who did not encourage me to build my technical and financial acumen. I have never heard of so many people choosing to spend their entire careers at one organization as I have here. Vanguard is truly a special place to work, and so the rest is history.

New beginnings

I recently transitioned out of the TLP as an application engineer in our Global Investment & Financial Systems IT subdivision, and I love my role. I get to work on technology that our portfolio managers and traders utilize to make data-driven trading decisions. I get to work on cutting-edge and innovative technology that fuels my passion for learning. And most importantly, I get to work on technology that is crucial to Vanguard’s core mission of giving clients the best chance for investment success—clients who are saving for their homes, children’s education, retirement, and more.

So, whether you are just starting your career in technology or looking to make a change by breaking into the tech field, you can find your place at Vanguard. My advice is to be passionate about learning, growing, and contributing to evolving technology, and you’ll find success wherever you go!

-Aashka P.

Learn more about our C2C Internship Program and Technology Leadership Program.