Archive for category: Voyage to Vanguard
1. Tell us about your journey to Vanguard?
I relocated to Pennsylvania in 1984 to attend West Chester University for Business. I was introduced to Vanguard through my sister, who was already employed here. I started out as a contractor and within a month, was hired full time.
2. How and why did you end up joining the military?
I began my military career in July 1989, while still being employed at Vanguard. At that time, I knew I wanted to go to college for Business, but funds were limited since I was on my own and carrying the load alone. Then, I received an opportunity to join the United States Army Reserves. In the military, I was able to leverage some of my skills like self-reliance, resiliency, integrity, teamwork, financial responsibility, and leadership and apply them in a different environment. I was truly elated that I could serve while still working at Vanguard. I also received funding for professional development training opportunities and to seal the deal, my college tuition was paid in full.
3. How were you able to balance both working at Vanguard and maintaining a career in the US Army Reserves?
It was not easy balancing Vanguard and the military, but my leadership team and HR partners did an awesome job in being flexible and supportive. My family also played an enormous role in stepping up and stepping in to make sure it was a smooth process. They made my ‘Vanguard and military’ career journey worthwhile.
4. What are some of the transferrable skills and experiences you’ve carried over from your experience in the military to your current role here at Vanguard?
Similar to Vanguard, in the military we had mandatory compliance trainings that were specific to my roles and responsibilities. Some of the skills that I carried over from my experience in the military are being confident, working as a team and valuing differences and diversity. I apply many of these skills everyday in efforts to provide client satisfaction and an overall positive client experience. Also, when dealing with challenging situations, I keep going. I don’t give up easily. Throughout my experience in both careers, I learned to treat others the way you want to be treated, treat your clients the way you want to be treated and enjoy the positive outcomes.
5. How has Vanguard supported your career development?
Vanguard has truly been supportive throughout my military journey from beginning to end. The support made juggling both careers so much easier to manage. I also found support through our crew resource group, Vets Connect. This group has provided so many resources for many of our veterans and military members. It is also a great way to stay connected, support and honor the military and allows for an easier transition to civilian life for candidates with a military background. I enjoy the Vets Connect events and panel discussions. It feels good to be a part of a community of people who share similar experiences.
6. What advice do you have for candidates who are transitioning from the military to civilian life?
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a wonderful experience. Here’s my advice:
My Passion for Exceptional Customer Service Began with Chicken
After high school I started working as a customer service team member for a major fast-food restaurant. I was inspired to work for this particular restaurant because of how pleasant all the employees were each time I visited. I would often hear customers rave about how impressed they were with their customer service experience. I knew that if I could develop strong customer service skills, I could take that knowledge with me and apply it in any career path. I learned so much about the value and impact of exceptional customer service and I’ve carried that mindset with me throughout my career journey.
Say Cheese!
Your smile is one of the first attributes people notice. I’ve always admired how dental professionals can create beautiful smiles and wanted to get hands-on experience in the field. I shadowed at local dental offices in town and soon met a highly respected orthodontist who truly valued customer service. He loved my customer service background and offered on-the-job training. I spent the better part of 10 years working my way through the office, starting with chairside assisting and eventually becoming the office manager. I enjoyed the challenge of starting from square one. I knew nothing about dentistry and while there were tough learning seasons, those seasons helped me become a better dental assistant and had a huge impact on who I am today. The most valuable skill I learned during my time in dentistry was the importance of leadership and how impactful a strong leader can be for a team. I had filled the shoes of my team before, so I knew many of the challenges they faced in our line of work firsthand. From managing unexpected staff shortages to working with challenging patients, I learned how to quickly problem solve in high pressure situations. This was rewarding as I was able to find solutions for our patients and gain trust and respect from my team.
From Dentistry to Dividends
While I loved dentistry and the relationships I built with my patients, there was another industry that piqued my interest – the investment industry. I personally did not grow up with a family that knew much about investing, however the orthodontists I worked with engaged in investing daily. As they spoke about their brokerage accounts and referenced articles from The Wall Street Journal, I became more and more curious about the financial services industry, specifically investments. I knew I wanted to learn more but also still work for a reputable company with a positive culture. When I heard about Vanguard and the opportunity to obtain licensing and training, along with the values, I couldn’t say no. After researching the many opportunities that Vanguard offered, I applied to the Client Relationship Associate position serving our Self-Directed clients. Similar to my time in dentistry, I wanted to start at a beginner friendly level and continue to gain more knowledge and experience. I never thought I would be able to begin a career in the financial services industry without having at least a 4-year undergraduate degree. Vanguard was willing to take a chance on me with an associate degree and no previous financial experience. I knew that my customer service background and desire to go above and beyond for clients would be a great asset for Vanguard. I didn’t want to take this chance for granted so once I was hired, I studied hard for my industry exams. Three challenging months later, I obtained my Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) credential, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses. The elation I felt was like no other. I am grateful to have accomplished my goals and am now working as a Retirement Specialist. I am delighted to now serve our clients and help them to retire with confidence.
How I’ve Used My Story to Help Others
There are many people like me who didn’t have an opportunity to obtain a 4-year bachelor’s degree right out of high school who can succeed if given the right opportunity. I am thankful and proud to have referred a few of my previous colleagues to Vanguard and will continue to advocate for anyone else looking for an opportunity to grow. My advice to others who are thinking of taking the leap from one field to another but are afraid – jump. Until you spread your wings you will have no idea how far you can fly.
– Valerie F.
1. How and why did you decide to start your career at Vanguard?
As I approached my college graduation, I had a couple job offers but I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to find something that would give me a purpose. I remember telling my dad that I really wanted to work for a good company that aligned with my personal values, and then I could figure out my career path from there. My dad suggested Vanguard. He said “I invest with Vanguard and I’m a huge fan of Mr. Bogle. Their mission is to treat investors fairly”. So, I did some research and realized that Vanguard’s mission and values aligned with what I was looking for. I applied for an entry level position and started a couple months later. After working in a client services role for a bit, I joined the Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). I was able to rotate through various divisions and departments and really learn how we serve our clients in various capacities. Throughout my time in the program, I always gravitated towards marketing and recruiting projects which led me to my current role on the Recruitment Marketing Team. Recently, I celebrated 6 years at Vanguard and I’m looking forward to many more!
2. What was the best part of participating in the ELDP Program?
The best part of ELDP, was being able to dive into a new business area and really learn how we serve our clients. I was able to meet some of the most memorable leaders from various business lines and really develop my personal style by applying my favorite traits from those leaders.
3. When did Vanguard start to feel like a “family” to you?
Vanguard started to feel like family early on. I met my now husband on our first day! We met in line while waiting to get our security photo taken, studied for our exams together and the rest is history. We’ve been able to support each other through multiple job opportunities within Vanguard.
4. How has your Vanguard family supported your career advancement and family as it grows?
Vanguard has been able to support me in my career advancement by providing me with some of the most amazing leaders and career opportunities. I’ve been able to challenge myself by working on teams where I’ve learned various skills including project management, communication, change management, etc. These skills have equipped me to take on new challenges and new opportunities during my time at Vanguard.
Vanguard has also supported me personally as we’ve expanded our family. We welcomed our first baby in 2022 and are expecting another in 2023! I’ve been able to lean on our benefits from parental leave, healthcare, childcare, you name it! As I’m getting acclimated to being a working mom, I’ve been able to truly appreciate the work life balance Vanguard offers which allows me to spend time with my growing family.
– Hailee B.
One part of my unique journey is that I left Vanguard for about five years. I first departed to pursue business school for two years, and then upon graduation, spent a few years as a management consultant. The consulting experience had three primary benefits for me: 1) the pace of work and the approach to problem solving developed my managerial abilities; 2) rotating to a different engagement every few months with a new client, team, and project, taught me to quickly synthesize the complex; and, 3) being away from Vanguard allowed me to fully appreciate the power of this company’s mission, purpose, and culture.
Although the first and second benefits have been instrumental in helping me add value across various parts of the organization, the last benefit is the most important. It’s easy to take for granted what this company stands for and why it is different. We hear the buzzwords often (e.g., investor-owned), but those words’ meanings resonated most powerfully for me while having the opportunity to work at and with other companies in the industry. I was able to experience first-hand how ownership conflicts can trickle down into impacting all facets of an organization – from culture to decision-making. Counterintuitively, being away from Vanguard made it apparent how special Vanguard is – the people that comprise this organization and the purpose on which it rests. As Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley has said, “helping people achieve a better financial future is not a secondary goal for us. It is the only goal.”
In my current role within Finance, I am able to directly witness how our unique ownership structure mechanically works from a fund expense and price standpoint, and in turn understand how we are able to return so much value to investors. The “Vanguard effect” did not happen by accident, and I now own this process for all of our funds. These decisions have wide-spanning implications on our enterprise revenue, investor savings, brand, competitive positioning, among other factors – it’s both an awesome and humbling responsibility. I’m excited about the opportunity that I have to help investors as a crew member within Finance, and I encourage you to reflect on how your own diverse experiences knit together in a way that makes you a more capable agent in delivering Vanguard’s mission to our investors.
– Brian D.
Women in ETFs (WE) is a global nonprofit open to everyone in the ETF industry, with a mission of developing talent, honoring the achievements of women in the industry, and investing in the ETF community. Vanguard is a gold sponsor and has an internal steering committee focused on maximizing our engagements and benefits from WE, as well as helping to create a sense of community among crew who are members.
Janel attributes her achievement to a long-term focus on the investment industry as well as on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. One of her goals as a board member is to widen the scale of possibilities for WE members.
“I enjoy helping people discover ways to develop themselves and broaden their networks,” Janel said. Throughout her Vanguard career, she has prioritized helping new and tenured crew members broaden and deepen their ties with one another.
Vanguard is a strong supporter of this organization and its mission. Membership among Vanguard employees has grown to almost 600.
The value of a first impression
When Janel was pursuing a career with investment management companies, committing to one that sustains a diverse culture was a priority for her. She vividly remembers one career fair where Vanguard stood out.
“I met Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis and, at the time, he was running the U.S. bond index desk,” Janel said. “I hadn’t seen a lot of African Americans in money management, and to see him in the role knowing the mission and values of this organization, I was automatically attracted to working here.
“You hear firms talking about diversity and inclusion, and then you see a room of white males. Does this company really care about diversity and inclusion? When I met Greg, I thought, ‘Wow, they’re serious. I want to be a part of that.’”
Connecting and growing
Janel became involved with Women in ETFs in 2017. After getting to know other women in the group and then attending a conference a few years later, she was inspired to build her ETF knowledge and broaden her network.
“Hearing female speakers at the conference talk about their tenure and path sounded very similar to mine, and many of them were around since the inception of ETFs,” Janel said. “Even though they were working at different firms, seeing how connected they were and the knowledge around the ETF vehicle made me want to get even more involved.”
Janel will continue to advocate for a diverse mindset, equity in opportunities for everyone, and inclusivity. “There’s always going to be more than we can do,” she said. “We should all be getting ahead together.”
Fast forward several years later… Imagine my surprise to be working at a financial services company! Armed with a dual degree in Art History and French, I remember anxiously Google searching, “What is a mutual fund?” prior to my Vanguard interview. That day, I was pleasantly surprised to hear my interviewer share that, “We have world class professionals here to teach you finance. What we’re looking for are candidates who know how to speak to people.” With that comment in mind, I took to the familiar task of learning. Studying for my Series 7 and 63 licenses were the first requisites prior to starting my first role – a challenge that while at first intimidating, ultimately fueled my desire to further my acumen in the investment industry. Shortly thereafter, I pursued my Certified Financial Planner® designation in order to further my credentials and to feel confident in the complex tax conversations I was having with clients. Together, these steppingstones culminated in my current role as the Service Recovery Supervisor in our Education Savings Contact Center, where I am able to continue learning, growing, and investigating unique client situations daily.
This position also gives me the distinct pleasure of serving in a role with a mission that resonates with me deeply: to improve the lives of our account owners with investments for education. One of the most common investment goals (second only to retirement), is saving for education, and an ambition that I connect to on a personal level. And though very different from where I envisioned myself, I love coming to work every day to help resolve issues for those seeking to meet their education goals – whether saving for college, looking to help a grandchild through their K-12 schooling, or even chipping away at student loan debt.
This year my husband and I welcomed a beautiful baby boy, and with eyes to the horizon, we opened our own 529 account for him in celebration. The balance is still modest for the moment, but I feel confident given the same reassurances we give our account owners day-in and day-out: every little bit will count, and we have the benefit of time on our side.
— Lauren H-F.
What was your former job, and what did you like about it?
For a decade, I was a bartender and server at a country club. From there, I spent four years as a teacher and then pivoted to working in finance, helping public school employees set up their retirement plans. The common thread across these experiences is my affinity for engaging with people on a personal level and providing a service or assistance. – Michael W.
I served as Director of Operations at a small national frozen yogurt franchise. I really enjoyed developing store managers, making operational decisions, and leading at a broader scale. After having spent the previous six years as a store manager at a multinational coffeehouse chain, I valued learning a new industry and new skills as part of a small business team. – Anne Marie C.
What led you to make a career change and pursue an opportunity at Vanguard?
My role as a financial advisor at my prior firm did not offer the type of structure and guidance that helps me thrive. Vanguard is a company that provides reasonable flexibility and solid support. – Michael W.
After about a year, I found myself burned out always being on-call and really longing for a deeper connection to mission and vision. As I started looking for a new opportunity, I really had not considered the financial industry. Once a recruiter reached out from Vanguard’s temporary work force, I did some research and knew that Vanguard was the place for me. I would discover my path once I got my foot in the door. – Anne Marie C.
Can you talk a little bit about what it was like for you to make this move?
Vanguard is my first experience working in an office, which brought its own challenges and opportunities. The first several weeks were spent in a classroom style training on campus, which helped that transition tremendously. – Michael W.
At first, it was overwhelming. I did not have a background in finance and had very little knowledge of investing outside of contributing to my employer sponsored 401(k). Learning a new industry and essentially starting my career over was a big step for me, but I knew in my heart it was the right decision. I’m grateful for the relationships I made early on in my department. They have remained a critical part of my success today. – Anne Marie C.
What are some of the transferrable skills and experiences you’ve carried over from your former job to your current role?
Clear communication with colleagues and time management have helped, along with a desire to help others. Although I am no longer providing financial advice, familiarity with the field has been beneficial. – Michael W.
The skills and experiences I gained in the service industry and prior leadership roles were easily transferrable. Client relationship management, problem solving, and people development were three critical skills that I was able to leverage right away. – Anne Marie C.
How have things changed for you since coming to Vanguard?
I’ve experienced camaraderie and a consistently encouraging environment in the professional workspace. On a more personal note, my role with Vanguard provides a structured schedule, and that affords me the ability to dedicate my time and attention to interests outside of working hours as well. – Michael W.
Professionally and personally, I have thrived. My incredible leaders have given me room to develop, while also seeing my outside business experience as an asset. Because of this, I’ve been able to take advantage of amazing career development opportunities, including leading new teams and programs for my department. I found a company that lives out my personal values and, although the change has caused me stress at times, I know that l am where I am supposed to be. Moreover, I have been able to leverage the industry knowledge I have gleaned at Vanguard to make better financial decisions for my family, which is priceless. – Anne Marie C.
What would you say to someone who is currently considering a career change?
I feel confident telling friends, family, and others that I work for Vanguard. Though my current role is not client-facing, my work positively impacts clients on a daily basis as I support our business operations. More tangibly, Vanguard takes steps to support crew by encouraging career growth and providing excellent benefits. – Michael W.
Don’t count yourself out of opportunities. Find the company you want to work for and start somewhere. You might find yourself surprised at what lies ahead. – Anne Marie C.
Interested in a career in Client Services? Check out our Client Relationship Associate opportunities today!
When I was a young girl, I immigrated to the United States. My mom wanted to build a new and better life for herself. And though she was suddenly exposed to better economic opportunities, I watched as she struggled with managing her personal finances. This led me down a path of wanting to learn how to manage my money responsibly, and unlike her, I had the opportunity to study personal finance in high school and university.
Even with these advantages, I still didn’t know how to invest. After my formal education, I was simply trying to survive. I entered the workforce with student loans during the Great Recession of 2008. It wasn’t until 2013, when I became part of a dual income household with a full-time job, that I was finally able to pay off my debt and establish financial stability.
Eventually, there was enough cash in the bank that my husband and I started exploring ways to make it grow. That’s when I stumbled upon a blog that was geared toward investing for millennials. It explained the four percent rule, as well as how someone could save enough money, watch it grow through investment options, and find financial independence. This was my first experience learning about brokerage firms, and the blog specifically suggested Vanguard as their institution. This was all new to me, and even though I didn’t really know what I was doing, I opened my first account with Vanguard in 2018.
In 2020, my husband and I sold our home and began to consolidate our assets. We opened a joint brokerage account and signed up for Personal Advisor Services. At this point, I began to wonder how Vanguard was managing our money, so I decided to go straight to the source and applied to work here.
Even though I didn’t have a background in finance, Vanguard took a chance on me. While I studied for my licensing exams, they paid me a full-time salary with benefits, which showed me they valued my time.
I received training for each new role, was provided coaches and support throughout the process, and during the busiest time of year, the organization offered strong incentives.
Further, among four of my team leaders, three have been women. Vanguard is intentionally creating an inclusive and diverse atmosphere that has traditionally been dominated by men. I believe it is breaking barriers for everyday Americans just like me, by offering us a seat at the table.
Working at Vanguard has given me access to a world most people aren’t exposed to. It has given me access to a language in personal finance most people aren’t comfortable speaking, and this experience has built confidence and empowered me to help others.
Working in the financial industry has its challenges, but it can be rewarding to speak with clients and listen to their stories. Moreover, it has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own experiences, and I feel excited to provide our investors with information that will help guide them as they begin their own financial journeys.
— Stella O.
Interested in a career in Client Services? View our Client Relationship Associate opportunities today!
Want to hear from more crew? Please check out our first and second installments of this series.
During a career fair at the University of Utah, I spoke with a recruiter who shared that Vanguard appreciates candidates with diverse backgrounds who are willing to take on fresh and challenging opportunities. Even though I was scared, I took a chance and passed along my resume. The rest is history.
In February, I will celebrate my six-year work anniversary with Vanguard and I couldn’t be more proud. This company has allowed me to develop myself professionally in ways I could have never imagined. For instance, I have served our clients on the front lines, taking calls and guiding them through investment decisions. Further, I led a team in our Client Care group and most recently, I joined the recruiting team in our Human Resources division. My position as a recruiter has truly brought me full circle, as I always hoped I would have the chance to serve in a role that is so integral in many people’s careers.
How ballet helped me in my professional career
Ballet taught me many things, but I have highlighted a few that have particularly helped me flourish:
How I’ve used my story to help others
The most rewarding part of my role as a recruiter is connecting with people who are thinking about a career at Vanguard. I want every potential candidate to know that we value their unique background. I love being able to share my own experience with others in hopes that it might inspire them or give them the confidence to take a leap.
-Allison G.
Note: Photo courtesy of Nathan Sweet photography
How did you learn about Tech Elevator?
In the fall of 2019, I started to explore options to quickly change my career after feeling unfulfilled in my profession. I had always been interested in software development, and an acquaintance suggested I look at coding bootcamps, a concept completely foreign to me at the time. After researching a number of programs, Tech Elevator really stood out to me because of their transparency, commitment to their students, and their high alumni employment rate. They also had a matchmaking program that helped job candidates network with other companies — this in itself was an intriguing quality as someone who would be looking for a job in the near future. Luckily, Tech Elevator was opening its first cohort in Philadelphia in January of 2020, and after some conversations with the campus director and staff, I chose to enroll.
– Kevin M.
I joined Tech Elevator because of their astonishingly high placement rates for students after graduation, their curriculum, and continued support after graduation.
– Dennis P.
What ultimately led you to decide to pursue an opportunity with Vanguard?
During Tech Elevator’s Matchmaking program, I learned that Vanguard was one of Tech Elevator’s hiring partners. While I knew Vanguard was one of the largest financial institutions in the world, I didn’t realize what they had to offer in terms of culture and sense of community. There appeared to be a great balance between professionalism while still being your authentic self, which was exactly what I was looking for. I also wanted opportunities to learn and grow as a developer, which Vanguard has certainly provided.
– Kevin M.
Prior to interviewing at Vanguard, I researched the organization extensively. Vanguard emphasizes three core values: integrity, focus, and stewardship, all of which are important to me as a military veteran. The interviewing process at Vanguard was very relaxed conversational. I had an opportunity to speak with managers and senior leaders, all of whom were polite and informative. I could see why Vanguard has such a high retention rate. I left the interviews feeling positive and hopeful for an offer to accept.
– Dennis P.
What does your day to day look like since joining Vanguard? What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?
I work on a team of five developers, and we work in two-week sprints. At the beginning of a sprint, each developer is assigned one or more tasks, or “stories,” to complete–this could include research for a future story or coding a piece of functionality for the application we are working on. Every morning we have our daily standup meeting, which is a report on your progress from the previous day and what you plan to work on for the rest of the day. Additionally, we have sprint refinement sessions twice per sprint, and a sprint review at the end of the sprint where we can showcase the work we’ve done.
The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to increase my knowledge as a developer. Vanguard offers a number of professional development opportunities for those in tech, including certifications and ongoing education. So far in my role, I became an AWS Certified Developer, which was both challenging and rewarding, and have attended a number of Vanguard sponsored courses through PluralSight, an online learning and development platform for those interested in technology. I’m confident this ongoing education will only open doors for further opportunity within the company and my career as a developer.
– Kevin M.
Upon joining Vanguard, I was placed on a new team that was tasked with building an internal application that supports Vanguard advisors. It’s been a pleasurable experience working with crewmembers from my team and collaborating with colleagues across the organization. On average I spend a third of my day in meetings. Outside of those meetings I’m either working on stories for a current sprint, researching, collaborating with others, or learning. Vanguard has provided me with ample learning opportunities. For example, I was recently selected to participate in a pilot for Vanguard’s new IT Divisional Learning Journey Program. And, if a training that would be beneficial to my growth becomes available, all I have to do is request permission to attend.
– Dennis P.
What advice would you share with prospective candidates who are interested in a career in IT?
I would say be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into the learning process and minimize distractions while you are learning to code. In addition to coding bootcamps like Tech Elevator, there are a ton of free resources you can find online, including Free Code Camp and Codecademy. YouTube is an excellent resource as well, as you can find a great explanation for almost any concept. Also, be patient, as there is a lot to learn.
– Kevin M.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in Software Engineering, understand that companies use different tech stacks, but the general idea is the same. Pick a stack and familiarize yourself well enough that if you were hired by a company using a different stack and/or framework(s), you would be more up-to-speed and faster to contribute. Don’t compare yourself to others and remain tenacious. Whether you’re experiencing challenges learning something new or difficulties in the hiring process, it’s important to never give up.
– Dennis P.