Open MenuHide Menu
  • Careers
    • About Vanguard
    • Pressroom
    • Other Vanguard Sites
    • Personal Investors
    • Retirement Plan Participants
    • Institutional Investors
    • Financial Advisors
    • Non-U.S. Investors
    • Small Business Online
    • My Plan Manager
    • Institutional Trading
Vanguard
Vanguard Careers
  • About Vanguard
  • Why Vanguard
  • Our Teams
    • Client Services
    • Corporate Support
    • Data & Analytics
    • Financial Advisor & Investment Management
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Technology
  • Students & Recent Graduates
    • EXPLORE Days
    • Internships
    • Client Services
    • Information Technology
    • Leadership Development Programs
    • MBA Programs
  • Careers Blog
  • Job Search
My experience at last year’s Grace Hopper Conference

My experience at last year’s Grace Hopper Conference

“To me programming is more than an important practical art. It is also a gigantic undertaking in the foundations of knowledge.” – Grace Hopper

Going into the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) in 2021, I’d heard good things about the event, but I really didn’t know what to expect. For those who don’t know, the GHC is a chance for women in computing and technology to connect, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and learn from one another. After attending the conference, I felt that my views had been broadened to think beyond the immediate user group for a technology capability, and instead, to think about how technology impacts the cultural and community landscape.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was one of the first women to receive a doctorate degree in mathematics. She joined the Naval Reserve, while working as an assistant professor, during World War II to work in computing and support our wartime efforts. She was the first to devise the theory of machine-independent programming languages, with coding based on words that are compiled into machine language. The programming language that she created using this theory was later extended to create common business-oriented language (COBOL). For these accomplishments and more, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. All that to say, she’s an inspiration to many!

“Inspiring” is how I would also describe the speakers during last year’s GHC. Women from all different walks of life and career backgrounds reached an audience of all ages and career stages. I joined a variety of sessions and learned new ideas and insights. Here’s what happened in some of my favorite sessions:

  • Joined a “Lighting Talk” on non-traditional paths in the technology industry that lead to working as a Product Owner, Scrum Master, or UX Designer.
  • Received a fun “Peek Behind the Curtain,” where Disney shared the wide array of technology they use in their parks (apps, Magic Bands), on the web, in the theater (movies, Pixar, Marvel), and through streaming services (Disney/Disney+).
  • Delved into the use of data science and mobile analysis to help in the fight against Covid-19.
  • Heard from TikTok COO, Vanessa Pappas, on privacy considerations, how they learn from peers, as well as manage misinformation and hate speech.

While all the sessions were grounded in their use of technology, it was great to see how they touched on so many relevant and timely topics. GHC delivered on its promise to connect, celebrate, and learn! And after the celebration was over, I was granted access to recordings of all the great sessions and plan to continue learning how tech can be used to make a positive impact.

-Kimberly W.

Recent Posts

  • Why I Choose to BE BOLD at Work
  • Building relationships as a path to leadership
  • How I started the Hispanic and Latinx Crew Resource Group in Australia
  • Intersectionality at Vanguard: Woman, Lesbian, Tenured Leader
  • Code is art

Share this entry

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by Mail

More career blogs you may have missed

#LifeAtVanguard

Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard Specialized Leader

Serving on the Women in ETFs U.S. board

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/07/19181434/Jackson_Janel_21_f.jpg 1400 2099 manikantashetty https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png manikantashetty2022-07-20 13:24:072022-07-20 13:24:07Serving on the Women in ETFs U.S. board
Culture, Training & education

My personal development journey through Vanguard Toastmasters

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/07/01075209/Dulemba_Monica_19.jpg 1500 2250 manikantashetty https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png manikantashetty2022-07-06 11:41:532022-07-06 11:41:53My personal development journey through Vanguard Toastmasters
Culture, Diversity & inclusion

Proud sponsor for Reaching Out MBA

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/06/16224937/OWIB_2022_featured.jpg 225 300 jortega https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png jortega2022-06-22 19:57:542022-06-22 19:58:12Proud sponsor for Reaching Out MBA
Culture, Our mission, Voyage to Vanguard

A legacy of educators

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/05/19080749/Headshot-1_feature.jpeg 200 300 jortega https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png jortega2022-05-25 11:08:312022-05-26 11:09:39A legacy of educators
Crew benefits, Culture, Day in the Life

How Vanguard has supported my career as a first‑time Mom

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/05/10193330/Sperry_Talli_17-final-2017-feature.jpg 200 300 jortega https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png jortega2022-05-11 07:09:242022-10-25 11:02:02How Vanguard has supported my career as a first‑time Mom
Career opportunities, Culture, Day in the Life

Women’s History Month 2022

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/05/05170559/WHM_insta-3-n.jpg 264 299 nitesh https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png nitesh2022-03-30 08:16:332022-05-05 17:10:44Women’s History Month 2022
Culture, Diversity & inclusion

Making technology accessible for all

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/03/26074603/Pic-4.jpeg 426 640 nitesh https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png nitesh2022-03-09 15:14:582022-08-18 14:40:28Making technology accessible for all
Culture, Diversity & inclusion

Vanguard’s enhanced Total Rewards package

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/03/26074008/GettyImages-1207517220-1030x687-1.jpeg 687 1030 nitesh https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png nitesh2022-03-02 15:52:282022-10-25 11:07:38Vanguard’s enhanced Total Rewards package
Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Voyage to Vanguard Entry-level Phone Group

Why we changed careers

https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2085/2022/02/26093505/Michael-W-Blog-scaled-1.jpeg 1707 2560 nitesh https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/841/2020/07/VG_WM_S_RGB_v3.png nitesh2022-02-16 11:25:452022-10-25 10:59:21Why we changed careers
PreviousNext
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Twitter
  • Site Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Careers
  • FAQs
  • Sitemap
Vanguard
© 1995–2021 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Your use of this site signifies that you accept our terms and conditions of use. - Enfold-Hodes-Accessible Theme by Kriesi
  • Site Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Join Vanguard’s Global Risk and Security division Vanguard Dallas: Hear from a Financial Advisor Manager
Scroll to top