Financial literacy Q&A: Anissa W.’s Community 365 experience

Anissa W., a senior client case representative in Personal Investor, recently volunteered at a Financial Reality Fair through Community 365. The unique event was designed to provide high school students with hands-on lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making.

From guiding students through real-world budgeting choices to helping them understand the importance of financial literacy, Anissa’s experience highlights how volunteering can make a lasting difference.

Can you provide a bit of your background and an overview of your journey to Vanguard?

My career background began in social services. I worked in the welfare offices of the City of Philadelphia for 10 years.

My journey to Vanguard began when I started wanting more for my family. At the time, my job’s union offered the opportunity to attend college for free. My first degree was from over a decade ago, so I went back to school and focused on accounting and finance to be able to pivot my career in that direction.

At the conclusion of the program, I obtained an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in accounting and finance and gained the confidence to start applying in that field. I followed some sound advice to begin with a temp agency to get my feet wet. Randstad had an opportunity that I couldn’t believe—a company that would pay me while I studied to enter an industry I aspired to join. That company was Vanguard.

What would you say are a few of the most important skills for someone in your role?

Some of the skills I find most important in my position include the following:

1. Flexibility: Our processes, procedures, targets—and other aspects of the job—are always changing.
2. Empathy: You need the ability to put yourself in the client’s shoes.
3. Resourcefulness: We are solving problems every day, and the answers are not always clear-cut or right in front of you.

Can you share your experience at the Financial Reality Fair you attended through Community 365?

I volunteered at a Financial Reality Fair hosted by Philly Financial Scholars at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia. The fair focused on budgeting. The students, who were all seniors, received a firsthand glimpse of “adulting”.

The gym was set up with different life stations outlining levels by budget of varying necessities. First, they picked a career which detailed their salary, complete with a student loan attached. Then, they visited each station and chose a level of necessity.

For example, transportation: Students could choose between public transportation or a $900 car note for a top-of-the-line vehicle. My role was to counsel each student after they chose the life they wanted and filled out their budget sheet. Some had money left over—which was great—and some were in the red and needed to reevaluate their choices.

Why was this initiative important to you?

There’s been a societal outcry for financial literacy to be taught in schools for decades, and now it finally is. It’s something that I intend on teaching my own two teens. There are so many people that become financially distressed because they didn’t have the tools early on.

What skills did you use at this event that you also apply day-to-day in your role at Vanguard?

Some of the skills I used at the Financial Reality Fair that I also use at work include time management. I was dealing with about 100 students, and I had to speak with almost every one of them being the final station where they needed to “pass” my evaluation of their budget.

In addition to time management, I also utilized my ability to be a good team player. There were more volunteers than there were organizers of course, so I helped in that respect, too. I carried communication with the other volunteers to keep things running smoothly for the students.

What advice would you give to a crew member looking to get involved with a Community 365 volunteer opportunity?

Sign up as soon as you see something that catches your attention and share the opportunities with your team!

-Anissa W.

Discover your next career opportunity at Vanguard.