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From ballet to finance

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Making the leap to a second career—again

Grateful my journey of learning and growth led to a career in sales

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Vanguard Dallas: New city, big vision

June 9, 2022/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Our mission Financial Advisor /by manikantashetty

Vanguard Dallas: New city, big vision

Vanguard has opened a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area in Texas. In alignment with the firm’s commitment to making advice more accessible and affordable for investors, the new location will be dedicated to supporting all aspects of its growing advice businesses. Recently, we spoke with some of the crew members at the new site and had a chance to ask them questions about what they are most excited about. In this installment of a three-part series, we hear from McKenna A.

What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
As an advisor at Vanguard, no part of my compensation is based on commission. Instead, I get to partner with my clients to determine what is most valuable to them, without any competing priorities. When I meet with clients or prospects, it’s not about a pressured, sales-esque call. Instead, I feel as though I’m sitting across from them, cup of coffee in hand, talking about what is most important to them in life and how I can help them achieve their financial goals.

What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
In addition to what you do, I think one of the most critical parts to enjoying work is who you have alongside you. At Vanguard, I’ve had the privilege of working next to some amazing people that make everyday work more enjoyable. These are individuals who challenge me, mentor me, and help me grow personally and professionally. Being able to start a new office in Dallas allows us to continue to expand our team with an amazing variety of talent, knowledge, and background, and is something I am incredibly excited for. Individually we are effective, but collectively we can be undeniable.

What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
There are so many competencies that help make a well-rounded, successful advisor. It’s important to be detail oriented, caring, curious, passionate, timely, organized, empathetic, and more. However, I believe what is at the core of all these skills, and most crucial, is an ownership mindset. An ownership mindset is a theme that begins with the ownership structure of Vanguard and carries through to the culture and way we work, and the function of Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services (PAS) as a department. I come to work each day with the freedom to take initiative, am empowered to make decisions, and as a result, have personal responsibility for the outcomes that follow. This drives me to engage wholeheartedly with my clients, new and existing, and work hard to help them achieve their best outcomes in all ways possible.

How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
Vanguard offers many opportunities for continued career growth. In fact, it’s something that initially attracted me to the company. A few things that I have taken advantage of are the mentorship programs, formal and informal, and Crew Resource Groups (CRGs). With the formal mentorship programs, I was able to work one-on-one with a mentor, going through personalized curriculum covering everything from career progression and networking, to resume skills and interviewing tips. I am also part of a CRG established to support Vanguard’s efforts to increase the representation of women in leadership at Vanguard. This provides allies and support for career progression, coaching, and networking opportunities geared towards women specifically. In addition to these, every week there is time built into my schedule by Vanguard to continue my personal development, including sessions that allow me to gain Continuing Education credits for my CFP® designation.

More about McKenna: I began my financial services career with Vanguard in 2016. I find joy in helping improve the lives of my clients every day by collaborating with them to define and achieve their versions of success. My husband and I recently moved to Frisco, TX, with our two tuxedo cats. I love traveling, being outdoors, baking, and eating said baked goods.

Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? View our Advice opportunities today!

Please check out our first installment of this series to learn more about Financial Advisor opportunities and our new Dallas site from Luke.

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Women’s History Month 2022

March 30, 2022/in Career opportunities, Culture, Day in the Life /by nitesh

Women’s History Month 2022

Each year on March 8 we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) to honor the achievements of women, in a variety of fields, throughout history and across nations. March also happens to be Women’s History Month in the United States.

In recognition of both International Women’s Day (IWD) and Women’s History Month, Vanguard’s Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success (WILS) hosted events and programs focusing on a bold theme: “Break the Bias.” The mission behind this year’s theme was to demystify and confront one major bias against women in corporate environments across all industries: the gap between women and men being perceived as strategic thinkers.

Through live speaker events, career progression programs, and company-wide discussions, crew engaged with each other across virtual platforms. Many also participated in a #BreakTheBias campaign by posting photos striking the IWD pose to show their commitment to calling out gender bias and stereotyping.

Lastly, WILS also took this opportunity to recognize and celebrate “women we admire” through a spotlight series. Take a moment to read the insights these crew members shared about their personal career experiences in being strategic thinkers and best practices for breaking gender biases.

Nitu G.
Product Architect in Europe

Nitu opens up about the importance of building a collective vision: “As architects, a lot of our work requires shaping the longer-term strategic architecture vision. For me, formulating a strategic vision can only happen when you take the time to talk to stakeholders and subject matter experts, and take a genuine interest in understanding what they do, what our clients do, and the challenges they face. It’s important to keep focused on understanding the bigger picture and uncovering the core challenges so that you can then collaboratively and strategically figure out what needs to be achieved. Collaboration is the key to shaping your own thinking and that of others. I always remind myself that having strategic vision is meaningless unless it can be driven forward. The best way to do that is for everyone to be part of the same journey and build the vision together.”

Danielle C.
Co-head of PAS High Net Worth Advice and Advice Support Group

Offering guidance to those interested in strengthening their strategic thinking skillset, Danielle shares, “Strategic thinking comes down to how you approach making decisions and considering trade-offs. A few tips: 1. Start with growing your experience working with data. Then, determine how to use data to tell a compelling story. 2. Frameworks, like hypothesis trees, are helpful to tell a story and show how you came to a decision. Read books and articles on decision-making and hang onto memos and presentations on the subject, as you never know when they will come in handy. 3. Think about altitude, time, and scope. 4. Finally, verbalize your thought process. Don’t keep all that great strategic thinking locked up inside your head! Communicate clearly and transparently to your peers, directs, and leaders. This helps bring your stakeholders along.

Ayana P-B.
Head of Emerging Talent and Diversity Recruiting Strategy

Touching on this year’s IWD theme, Ayana shares, “The “break” in break the bias implies interruption. To interrupt patterns of behavior takes humility, courage, and an openness to both learn and teach. For women on a path to develop strategic thinking and break the bias, I’d encourage you to speak up and shine your light to the fullest! Show your expertise, share your knowledge, actively listen, and dynamically engage. You can and will make an impact and add tremendous value by being your authentic self, not questioning your seat at the table, and showing up prepared to lean in.”

Michelle L.
Senior Portfolio Manager in Vanguard’s Investment Management Group

When speaking about women in investment management, Michelle says, “It’s no secret that investment management has long been a male-dominated profession. The first bias we need to break is that women can have and build successful careers in the investment management industry. As a representative of WILS for Vanguard’s Investment Management Group, a strategic area we continue to focus on is our outreach to young women and girls on careers in investment management, as societal biases start very early. It’s empowering to help young women and girls see opportunity in investment management among their bright futures, particularly where bias or lack of role modeling may have chartered a different path for them.

Linda A.
Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and Corporate Accounting in Australia

For women looking to become stronger strategic thinkers, Linda encourages, “Be proactive. Understand the business strategy, understand the challenges faced by your leader, peers, and crew within the organization. Apply a risk culture mindset, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to bring different perspectives and insights, and don’t be afraid to voice your ideas.”

Danielle

Michelle

Nitu

Ayana

Linda

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Vanguard Dallas: Join our team of advisors

March 16, 2022/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Our mission /by nitesh

Vanguard Dallas: Join our team of advisors

Vanguard is opening a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area in Texas. In alignment with the firm’s commitment to making advice more accessible and affordable for investors, the new location will be dedicated to supporting all aspects of its growing advice businesses. Recently, we spoke with some of the crew members at the new site and had a chance to ask them questions about what they are most excited about. In this installment of a three-part series, we hear from Luke H.

What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
Vanguard’s investor-owned structure is something that always stood out to me. The driving force behind everything we do is our clients. How many companies are actively looking for ways to lower costs so they can give more back to their clients? We are truly fiduciaries for our clients; we put their interests at the forefront of all that we do.

What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
Dallas and the surrounding areas are full of advisors and other professionals who share Vanguard’s mission statement, even if they have never heard ours. Most advisors get into the profession with the intention of taking a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. With Vanguard opening an office in Dallas, advisors will have the opportunity to align their ethics with their chosen career.

What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
In my mind, a successful advisor must have empathy and strong communication skills. They should be able to put themselves in a client’s shoes and understand that their life, family, and finances are unique and important to them. Being able to communicate with a client in a way that creates trust is critical. There are clients who require assistance with budgeting and understanding how their decisions impact their financial futures. Some messages are difficult to deliver. Demonstrating empathy and proper communication will support clients in achieving their financial goals.

How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
One of my favorite things about Vanguard is that they truly care about their people and invest in our development. Before I was an advisor, Vanguard put me through a Certified Financial Planner™ program so I could obtain the credentials necessary to fulfill my dreams of becoming a financial advisor. I participated in the program with other Vanguard crew members, and I was given time that was helpful for me to master the materials and pass the required tests. Once I became an advisor, I was presented with the massive trove of resources that Vanguard prepares to ensure our advisors are educated on the latest changes and events in the industry. Vanguard also gives advisors access to third-party news publications to stay on the cutting edge. If that wasn’t enough, Vanguard also offers an academic assistance program to help you achieve goals like obtaining a Master’s degree or other formal education and certifications. Each week, advisors have dedicated time to spend on learning and growing. Vanguard doesn’t just talk about development, they give you the time, resources, and investment to do so.

More about Luke: With an undergraduate degree in Finance, Luke started his career at Vanguard in 2011 in Client Services. He held multiple roles before moving to the Personal Advisor Services (PAS) group as a financial advisor. In this position, he learned how to speak collaboratively about Vanguard’s methodology and assisted many clients with taking the necessary steps to help reach their financial goals. Luke has since transitioned to leadership, where he currently serves as an advisor manager. He has helped launch the Dallas site virtually but will be moving to Dallas before the campus opens its doors in 2022.

Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? Check out our Advice opportunities today!

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Why we changed careers

February 16, 2022/in Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Voyage to Vanguard Entry-level Phone Group /by nitesh

Why we changed careers

At Vanguard, a career in client services provides our crew with an opportunity to see and experience first-hand Vanguard’s unique business model, and how our clients are at the center of everything we do. For this blog, we sat down with crew who recently changed careers to join our Client Services and Operations group and asked them to share more about this personal decision as well as lessons learned and advice for job seekers who might be looking to make a similar move.

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!

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How my interest in personal finance paved a path to my Vanguard career

January 19, 2022/in Career opportunities, Voyage to Vanguard /by yashsharma

How my interest in personal finance paved a path to my Vanguard career

Many of our new crew members launch their careers in Client Services, as it provides them an opportunity to see and experience first-hand Vanguard’s unique business model, and how our clients are at the center of everything we do. We recently sat down with crew who have served in our Client Services and Operations group to learn more about what initially attracted them to Vanguard and what keeps them feeling fulfilled in their roles. In this final installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Stella O.

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.

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From ballet to finance

January 12, 2022/in Career opportunities, Voyage to Vanguard /by yashsharma

From ballet to finance

A career change from ballet to finance doesn’t seem like a natural progression but it is in my experience. When I share my background with people, I’m often asked, “How did you end up at Vanguard?”. The truth is, after I stopped dancing, I had no idea what I wanted to do. The only thing I knew was I wanted to try something completely new and with a company that valued passion and hard work.

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:

Resilience– In ballet, you hear the word “No” a lot. Maybe I didn’t nail my audition that day or get the part I wanted. Did I let it get to me? Sure, a little, but what really mattered to me was how I was going to move forward. I let each failure become motivation for me to get better. How can I practice harder, get stronger, make sure I’m always at my best? If I wasn’t learning, I wasn’t growing. The same has applied to my time at Vanguard. Sometimes I don’t get the promotion or perhaps a meeting didn’t go quite how I planned. Because of my background, I am always able to pick myself up and reflect. Asking for feedback is also key. Sometimes others observe something you don’t and it’s important to me to have the humility to ask so I can continually improve.
Creativity– As a dancer and a lover of the arts, I have always had a creative mind. When I started at Vanguard, I was unsure how that would translate. It became very apparent early on that it would prove to be extremely helpful in my career. Since I didn’t have a traditional background, I asked different questions and saw things through a unique perspective. Every day in my role I’m asked to solve complex issues and I rely on my creative thinking to help come up with solutions.
Discipline– As a dancer, and especially one that studied classical ballet, discipline is engrained in you. From the way you present yourself, to timeliness, and organization. Throughout my career that discipline has helped me to stay focused when I was studying for my licensing exams, remain patient while navigating my career path, and even stay organized when managing multiple competing priorities.

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

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Making the leap to a second career—again

December 8, 2021/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Culture /by vanguardsync

Making the leap to a second career—again

Sometimes the best career moves are also the scariest. That’s a lesson I’ve learned twice. My first job out of college was as a newspaper reporter and I loved it, at least at first. After a dozen years, I’d grown weary of deadlines and wary about the prospects for my industry. Luckily, Vanguard was hiring for writers in its marketing and communications department.

I knew Vanguard by reputation because I’d specialized in covering personal finance and investing. The firm’s clear-eyed, long-term approach seemed vastly better than the feverish mentality that prevailed during the late ‘90s dot-com bubble. As a reporter, I had a front-row seat to witness the wealth destruction caused by Wall Street performance chasing and lack of diversification when that bubble burst.

Fifteen years ago this December, I landed a job as a writer for Vanguard and felt fortunate to be part of the “crew.”

The scoop on switching careers

I also felt culture shock.

I’d moved away from what I had thought would be a lifelong profession and was now working for one of the world’s largest investment firms, something I had never envisioned. How would I fit in?

Discovering that there were many others at Vanguard who’d made similar transitions helped ease my worries. (Indeed, company founder John C. Bogle himself had done a short stint as a “cub” newspaper reporter.)

I chatted with a former veteran wire service reporter who assured me that it wouldn’t be too long before I, like him, viewed joining Vanguard to be one of the best career decisions I’d ever made. In such a supportive environment, it didn’t take long before my fears melted away. It was an exciting time because there was so much to learn. I threw myself into getting up to speed, taking night classes and reading Mr. Bogle’s numerous books.

The more I learned, the more I noticed a change in my interests. I’d joined Vanguard thinking I’d always be a writer and editor. But as time went on, what really grabbed my attention was investing and learning about ways to build and safeguard wealth. One of my colleagues had experienced a similar transformation and left his writing job to become a Certified Financial Planner ™ for Vanguard Personal Advisor Services. But to me, such a big change seemed too daunting. How could I pursue a second, second career at this point?

Me and Nate.

How Nate changed my point of view

And then life—as it often does—took an unexpected twist. In 2014, our son Nate was born and forever changed the way I look at everything. Nate has Down syndrome, and the first two years of his life were one health care crisis after another. He underwent open heart surgery at five weeks. Right around his first birthday, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to spectacular care by nurses and doctors in our community, Nate has made a full recovery and is now as healthy as any seven-year-old I know.

Of course, I was profoundly affected by this experience. Among other things, I had a new perspective on what qualified as scary and difficult. Making another career change no longer seemed undoable.

And becoming a financial advisor now had an additional appeal. I was especially passionate about the opportunity to help clients who have loved ones with disabilities meet their unique financial challenges. From my own experience, I know that providing for children or other relatives with disabilities is often a family’s biggest single financial concern.

So, for the second time in my life, I took the plunge into an entirely new career. Fortunately, one of the distinctive aspects of Vanguard’s culture is an openness to trying new paths. This is true at any stage, whether you’re a veteran like me or a relative newcomer. Although I had no experience as a financial advisor, I was welcomed into a Vanguard-sponsored program to prepare for the rigorous CFP® exam.

My son Nate.

A beginner all over again

Just like when I first joined Vanguard, I benefitted from tremendous support both in terms of formal training and informal coaching and encouragement from managers and colleagues.

Even with all the help, it wasn’t easy. I spent countless hours studying and had to contend with the stress of learning entirely new systems while adjusting to working directly with clients for the first time. Although I’d been with Vanguard for a long time, I was back to the uncomfortable feeling of being the “new kid” in school. If you’re contemplating a career change, don’t underestimate the challenges.

But don’t underestimate the payoff either. Today, I’m enjoying the fruits of my labors and feel more engaged in my work than I have in years. As a financial advisor, I can impact my clients’ lives for the better every day. And because I’m still relatively early on the journey, I feel like opportunities to keep learning are boundless.

It’s a time of year when many people reflect on what they’re thankful for. For me, it’s that I didn’t let fear stop me from going after a new career.

Lessons learned from two career switches

Talk to your network. Before you make a leap, it’s vital that you speak to as many people in your prospective field as possible. You should also get advice from current trusted colleagues. Best of all, find someone who made the same transition you did. I got invaluable advice from a Vanguard writer who became a financial advisor.
Value what you already know. The skills from your old job will translate in surprising ways into your new career. Asking good questions and taking impeccable notes is obviously key to success for newspaper reporters. It’s true for financial advisors, too.
‘Scaries’ will fade. Twice now I’ve been through the anxieties that go along with a career change. My experience also taught me the fears fade and the excitement builds. Better to experience temporary “Sunday Scaries” than lasting regret about not going after what you’d really like to do.

-Ted G.

Ted is a high net worth financial advisor for Vanguard Personal Advisor Services.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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