My journey from art to IT at Vanguard

Looking back on my voyage to Vanguard, now that I have hit 7 years woohoo, I can’t help but to think that this journey has been anything less than unique and incredible. It’s been a remarkable adventure, filled with unexpected opportunities, bold leaps of faith, and I’ve learned the importance of having a strong support system.

In April 2016, I found myself, an artist with a BA degree in Art and no previous financial background, at Vanguard. Now, you might find yourself wondering what is a someone with a Bachelor of Arts in Art doing at a financial investment company like Vanguard? Trust me, I was wondering the same thing! I transitioned from being a custom framing specialist to a Client Relationship Specialist at Vanguard, and let me tell you, it was a big leap of faith. I had gone from helping people from all walks of life frame multitudes of things, memories, moments to now providing support and guidance to others trying to manage their assets, plan their retirement, and understand different events within the markets. I had zero experience in finance, and I was seriously nervous. On top of that, my wife and I were expecting our first child.

The pressure was on, and I felt like I might be in over my head, but here’s the amazing part: Vanguard’s culture and the support from my colleagues quickly eased my fears. Thanks to leaders and friends I soon realized, contrary to my own belief, my ability to talk with people and ability to connect with others combined with my creative way of thinking were skills worth their weight in gold. It’s all about that inclusive culture at Vanguard, where they not only welcome individuals from different backgrounds, but also help you grow and work to achieve your goals. Life can throw some curveballs, and I got one in the form of my daughter’s autism diagnosis right at the start of the pandemic. It was a tough time, but my colleagues and leaders at Vanguard were there for me. They didn’t just care about my job; they cared about me, personally. This made me appreciate the Vanguard community even more. Having a support system like that during personal challenges? It’s priceless.

As time went on, I got more comfortable in my role and built strong client and co-worker relationships. But then, something exciting happened – after 5 years of supporting clients from the business side I became interested in the IT side of things at Vanguard. It was another leap of faith. I mean, I had no financial background or tech skills. But guess what? As I began to express that desire more and more, I received encouragement and support from fellow coworkers who were willing to help me in any way that they could. Now at the time when I started this there wasn’t a clearly defined path to take to get from A to B but, when possible, co-workers would provide me with connections, resources, guidance, and heaps of encouragement. They helped me develop, cultivate, and build out the knowledge I needed to pursue my goals. My communication skills, which I’d honed during my time at Vanguard, along with my drive to try something new even if it felt impossible came in handy. They helped me land an internship within the IT department, a big achievement for a guy who’d started with an art degree and no tech background. After a successful internship, I was offered a permanent position in the IT department as a Business Project Coordinator and have been in this role since.

My journey from an art grad to a full-fledged member of the IT team at Vanguard is a story about embracing change, leaning on your support system, and taking those leaps of faith. My story is for anyone out there who’s unsure about making a career change. It’s proof that the right environment and supportive colleagues can help you grow, both personally and professionally. In the end, my voyage wasn’t just chance; it was a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. And it was made possible by the fantastic people and culture at Vanguard.

-Carlos P.

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