Why you should raise your hand for that volunteer opportunity at work
When I first started looking for internships during undergrad, candidly, I was not excited by anything out there. All the business opportunities looked painfully similar. Stay with me, this is a happy story. What caught my eye during research for job fairs were the firms that heavily demonstrated their commitment to community. While it is pretty common nowadays to champion community involvement, what is less common is sincere passion backing those snapshots of community events. Nearly every time I spoke with a representative of a company, I heard the same message: ‘Community service is great! We have one event each year that we rally behind and blast on social media. Other than that, not much else goes on.’ Disappointing… that is until I stumbled upon Vanguard’s My Classroom Economy, which is a program that enables educators to teach children financial responsibility through experiential learning. From the multiple interviews to the first day of my internship at Vanguard, everyone I asked about My Classroom Economy indicated it was an ongoing, substantial operation: a mini-business within the business. Comprised of project teams, ambassador roles, as well as leaders for the work streams, this organization was solving a problem known all too well among my generation: a lack of financial literacy. Throughout college, in casual conversations or classroom debate, I heard the common lamentation from my peers: Why were we taught about geometric shapes but never received any sort of training/instruction on critical financial concepts, such as budgeting? Even social media comically points out the irony in a lack of ‘parallelogram season’ and searing reality of tax season. My Classroom Economy is not only fighting for an admirable cause, but also offers many opportunities to build leadership, project management, and relationship-building skills. I wanted in! Fast forward through my senior year of college, my first full year of employment with Vanguard, and to steadily increasing my involvement with My Classroom Economy. Today, I serve as Project Manager for two expansions of the program, My Home and My Group Economy. My role in My Classroom Economy has helped me just as much as it’s helped our community.
If at any point while reading this, you were reminded of a time your interest was sparked in your workplace by a non-direct-job experience (i.e. something you are not compensated for) and you’re wondering if it is worth pursuing, here are reasons to raise your hand for that activity:
Validation in impactful work
Sometimes the most rewarding jobs are the ones you do not because you are being compensated but because you care. When you care about something you feel good contributing your time and energy to it. And thankfully, your professional development has helped you build upon valuable skills, which in the end, feels validating when you’re tapping into them for an altruistic cause.
Skill-building for future compensatory experiences & safe space to fail
Flipping what I just said on its head, while you have a ton of valuable skills to offer, you may not always accurately assess your utility. We are biased creatures and while you may think a job is perfect for you, volunteerism is a way to test out your interests and skills before jumping into a long-term role. Volunteerism offers exposure to skills and situations that teach you what you can do versus what you can do well. Capitalize on the chance to try ideas and challenge yourself in a safe space.
Cross-functional teamwork
Working with individuals from various disciplines is critical to the workplace of today. In a volunteer network, you can work regularly with individuals in roles from client-facing to IT development. Building relationships through cross-functional teamwork is beneficial to build your network and a fun way to learn about what other people do. It’s a way to research other types of roles within your company and can offer a ton of insight you would not otherwise have access to.
Bottom line: If you find something you are passionate about, have fun while getting invaluable experience for your long-term career. Stop sitting on your hands – raise them instead.
More crew stories about giving back
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fdoerr2019-01-10 14:02:512019-01-10 14:02:51Serving in both my day job and night job
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fdoerr2018-12-13 06:00:492018-12-12 14:44:34It’s the season of giving at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-09-07 06:00:342018-09-04 18:02:08Finding the support I needed at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-08-24 06:00:102018-08-22 21:46:54What is a VTO day?
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fdoerr2018-07-11 13:50:362018-07-26 17:30:04From preschool teacher to program officer
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fdoerr2018-04-11 13:08:002018-07-26 17:30:52From Gardening to Taxes: My Volunteer Journey
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fdoerr2018-03-14 15:51:412018-07-26 17:30:533 things they said I’d never find in a company culture
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fdoerr2018-03-12 14:33:502018-07-26 17:30:53National Girl Scout Day: Inspiring and empowering the next generation
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fdoerr2018-02-23 14:29:422018-07-26 17:30:55The Power of Rice
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fdoerr2018-01-31 16:47:292018-07-26 17:31:12Roll up a sleeve, save a life
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fdoerr2018-01-16 19:04:182018-07-26 17:31:13Meet a leader, be a leader: Inspiring and empowering the next generation
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fdoerr2018-01-12 11:43:472018-07-26 17:31:14Building financial literacy through My Classroom Economy
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fdoerr2017-12-22 07:00:582018-07-26 17:31:15Wrapping up the giving season (VIDEO)
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fdoerr2017-12-19 19:52:042018-07-26 17:31:15A surprising career switch inspired me to give back
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fdoerr2017-11-06 18:24:292018-07-26 17:31:40Crew & A: Commonly asked questions about interning at Vanguard
Connecting with the Vanguard mission
Meet Tiamoy W. She learned about Vanguard at a job fair and shortly after launched her career in Client Services. “I think what excites me the most is getting on the phone and knowing that you’re going to change someone’s life.” Watch her full story below:
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fdoerr2019-02-05 07:09:372019-02-05 07:09:37When working in finance isn’t only for finance majors
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fdoerr2018-11-19 15:47:332018-11-19 15:47:33Bridging the gap between college and your career
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fdoerr2018-10-15 15:09:072018-10-15 15:09:0710 years at Vanguard: our culture
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fdoerr2018-10-04 12:47:322018-10-04 12:47:3210 years at Vanguard: coworkers and friends
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fdoerr2018-10-01 07:00:362018-10-01 14:08:583 tips from my midlife start at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-09-28 07:35:462018-09-28 11:33:19Thriving in Transitions
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fdoerr2018-09-26 21:21:062018-09-26 21:31:27Leading the life I want–at home and in the office
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fdoerr2018-09-14 06:00:502018-09-13 14:44:1110 years at Vanguard: career progression and advice
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fdoerr2018-09-07 06:00:342018-09-04 18:02:08Finding the support I needed at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-08-29 15:26:072018-08-30 19:28:26Fighting for my daughter. Advocating for myself.
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fdoerr2018-08-13 06:00:402018-08-10 15:59:21Preparing for a Vanguard interview – Be a STAR
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fdoerr2018-08-10 15:40:032018-08-10 15:40:03Redefining success at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-08-08 06:00:162018-08-07 22:52:36Three experiences that paved my path to Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-08-06 06:00:492018-08-01 19:24:04Everyday innovation from client-facing crew at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-08-03 06:00:202018-08-01 13:15:49Who says you can’t go home again?
Make a choice and take a chance
“The last two years have been intense. I had a baby, I started business school, I moved from New York City to Pennsylvania to start a new job at Vanguard. But when I think about it, I’m really happy. This has been the best career move and the way Vanguard supports its crew members to balance work and life has been amazing.” Hear from Amrita T. as she shares her Vanguard story.
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fdoerr2019-02-20 16:46:512019-02-20 16:55:28I wasn’t just hired, I was welcomed
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fdoerr2018-12-19 06:00:272018-12-18 20:20:44Vanguard crew innovate new technology through the Discovery Challenge
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fdoerr2018-11-29 13:32:162018-11-29 13:32:16Q&A with a Vanguard Senior Portfolio Manager
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fdoerr2018-11-14 14:54:042018-11-14 14:54:04What it means to be a thought leader
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fdoerr2018-11-11 06:00:122018-11-09 21:35:44Boots to Suits: Transitioning to the corporate world as a veteran
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fdoerr2018-10-19 12:40:322018-10-19 12:40:32Four Unexpected Things I Love about Working in Investment Management
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fdoerr2018-10-01 07:00:362018-10-01 14:08:583 tips from my midlife start at Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-09-26 21:21:062018-09-26 21:31:27Leading the life I want–at home and in the office
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fdoerr2018-08-27 15:53:282018-08-27 15:53:28Building a network on the softball field
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fdoerr2018-08-24 06:00:102018-08-22 21:46:54What is a VTO day?
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fdoerr2018-08-17 06:00:242018-08-16 16:15:32Internal Audit: diverse work, a welcoming team, and time for my son
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fdoerr2018-08-08 06:00:162018-08-07 22:52:36Three experiences that paved my path to Vanguard
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fdoerr2018-07-11 13:50:362018-07-26 17:30:04From preschool teacher to program officer
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fdoerr2018-07-09 06:00:572018-07-26 17:30:05Vanguard women break down investment acumen myths and perceptions
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fdoerr2018-07-05 06:00:402018-07-26 17:30:05One company, multiple careers
Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth at Vanguard
During this year’s Black History Month, Vanguard hosted a company-wide celebration, bringing crew together near and far. The Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN) kicked off February with a keynote event featuring Mehrsa Baradaran, bank scholar, associate dean at the School of Law at the University of Georgia, and author of The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap. In an effort to build connections globally, VBPN also introduced The Diaspora blog series, where crew shared personal stories that highlight the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the VBPN community. We invite you to read the following excerpts from these #InclusionatVanguard stories that have also been shared personally on LinkedIn.
Algreen Bakasa’s Story
Today, I am heavily involved in the community both at work and outside of work, and strive to maximize every opportunity I receive by paying it forward. By helping create better opportunities for disadvantaged minority children and young adults, I hope they receive an opportunity that will change their trajectory like the one afforded me.
During this year’s Black History Month, I challenge you to take the time to really know the unique stories of those around you, learn their culture, and what makes them tick. As a global organization, Vanguard has crew from many diverse backgrounds with unique experiences and perspectives. What keeps me motivated each day is knowing that: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Antonia Singleton’s Story
Growing up in Harlem, despite the crime and war on drugs, there were many fun, community uplifting and educational events and traditions that I loved to take part in with my family. My top three traditions were: attending the African American Day Parade in Harlem, The Million Youth March, and block parties during the summer on Saturdays. The African American Day Parade in Harlem was an opportunity for people around the world to come and celebrate black people and black culture in America just two short blocks away from where I grew up. My dad took my sister and I to the Million Youth March every year from inception until it tapered off. He wanted us to be aware of what was going on in the country with regards to the African American community and how we were treated. He wanted us to listen to and learn from the leaders in our community, as they usually shared what we could do as young black children in America to help make a difference.
Ajaa Jackson’s Story
Growing up with my grandmother, I gained a sincere appreciation for diverse cultures. She taught me at an early age there were places far away from Sierra Vista, Arizona where people lived similarly yet differently from us. My grandmother spoke on the phone—to me what seemed like all the time—with family in Ethiopia and friends across the U.S. I would listen to her speak in Tigrinya, Italian, and English, sharing boastful laughter with family and friends. She also regularly hosted friends for coffee. The delight of roasted coffee bean smoke mixed with incense frequently permeated the house—a smell I’ll never forget. She loved bright colors, both in her home and clothing, which complemented her unquenchable zest for life.
Our family got to share my grandmother’s satisfaction of achieving her dream of becoming an American citizen in 2002.
Although she is no longer in this life with us, her spirit lives on in our family. She is preceded by her siblings in Axum, Ethiopia. In February, I will be taking what I hope is my first of many trips to Ethiopia. My grandmother’s love of Ethiopia has always fueled my desire to visit, and this trip is a lifelong dream come true!
Shauna Collick’s Story
While I’m blessed to have many amazing family members, the moment I was asked to write a blog representing a piece of my history, I immediately thought of my paternal grandmother. As a youth, I vividly remember when she would take me to nursing homes and hospitals. She would always tell me to smile at the patients, look them in the eye, and that it’s okay to give them a gentle touch of affection on their hand or shoulder. Because of that experience, I started having my daughter visit local nursing homes when she was in preschool. She would hand out her art work and it would inevitably be the highlight of someone’s day.
My grandmother demonstrated that you can rise up from poverty and live a fulfilling life if you put God first, work hard, pursue education, and use political, economic, and social influence to improve your community.
What makes these Vanguard leaders proud to be crew
We sat down with seven leaders from across the organization to learn more about what sparks the strong sense of pride they feel in working for Vanguard. In this blog, you’ll hear directly from these individuals as they discuss how our client-first mentality and inclusive culture have shaped their professional experiences.
1. Christina Selby, Principal in Finance:
One thing I love about Vanguard is that everyone’s voices are being heard and taken into account as we make decisions and set strategy for the business. We want everyone to feel comfortable engaging, debating, and being an active member of our team. The best thoughts come from a diverse team!
2. Steve Holman, Principal in Institutional Sales:
I truly believe that everyone at Vanguard is motivated to do what is best for our shareholders at all times, and we’ve had an incredibly beneficial impact to our investors and the marketplace overall. We’ve proved you can do the right thing and be very successful.
3. Joe Davis, Global Chief Economist and Principal:
I am proud of our mission – that we strive and exist to help investors with their long-term goals. Our culture and firm are aligned singularly to that mission. Not many firms around the world can say that.
4. Lisha Davis, Head of the Innovation Studio:
Vanguard is filled with kind people who are committed and share a common goal; our brand that’s growing to include things like innovation.
5. Kevin Jestice, Principal in Information Technology & Security:
For me, inclusion at Vanguard is about everyone being comfortable bringing their whole self to work and fostering an environment that promotes and appreciates differences. Everyone is unique and has real value to add in this world. Being inclusive is about appreciating that value and ensuring people are comfortable being themselves so they can achieve their full potential. The greater the diversity of backgrounds and ideas we bring to a challenge, the more creative and better the outcome.
6. Manuel Calero, Principal in Retail:
I came to this country and enrolled in school speaking no English, not knowing a single person, and generally didn’t have a clue about how the school systems worked. Almost every single teacher I had went out of their way to get to know me and guide me. Simply accepting me as just another student would have been ok, but they didn’t see that as an option. It was almost as if I was a family member they just had to help. I am forever indebted to those teachers from decades ago who reached out to me, and who taught me the importance of caring about and taking an active interest in others. They lived inclusion, which they knew to be a verb not an attitude or passive concept. To this day, I do my best to follow in their footsteps and set a similar example at Vanguard by doing as they did for me.
7. Jodi Miller, Principal in Retail:
Vanguard’s mission – always doing the right thing for our investors is at the core of everything we do.
Stay tuned to hear more from these leaders in the coming weeks.
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In this video blog, five tenured Vanguard crew members talk about Vanguard’s culture of giving back and continuous improvement.
I wasn’t just hired, I was welcomed
As a student, I always wondered what it’d be like to transition into the real-world. More specifically for me, into the corporate world.
To help bridge the gap from education to employment, my university offers 6-month co-ops – an opportunity to work full time and receive college credit alternating with periods of classroom study. Entering my junior year at college, I knew it was time to pick a company where I could learn new skills and how to make that big transition. But, which company should I choose? Was a small company or large corporation a better fit? Which industry was right for me? So many questions were running through my mind. After some research, I found Vanguard had a position I was interested in. I worked hard on my application and earned an interview. I vividly remember driving to my interview and wondering if I would fit in and what working at Vanguard would be like.
Interviewing & interning
From the moment I walked in the door, I was met with a warm reception. I remember my interview like it was yesterday–I told my interviewer that I was interested in personal growth, professional development, and purpose. We had a great conversation about my goals and Vanguard’s mission. To this day, we still keep in touch and discuss what’s going on in our lives – both professionally and personally. My relationship with her was instrumental in navigating through my co-op at Vanguard and one of the main reasons I chose to accept a position at Vanguard after graduation!
During my co-op, I worked in Institutional Marketing and Communications. My manager was excellent. He connected me with so many crew members, many of whom became trusted advisors who I still consult before big decisions. These mentors have helped me strategize ways to turn my weaknesses into strengths, challenged me to look through a long-term lens when making decisions, and ultimately pushed me to apply for one of Vanguard’s Leadership Development Programs.
Why it mattered
My 6 month co-op came to a close, and as I returned to Drexel for my senior year, I kept in contact with many crew members. The following summer, I returned to Vanguard as an intern with Vanguard Charitable to support a busy giving season. In such a close-knit environment, coupled with the holiday spirit, I developed friendships across the organization. Because of those close relationships, I agreed to return part-time to a role in Research & Strategy. I continue to catch-up with my old team whenever our schedules allow.
As I was entering my last semester at Drexel, I shared my excitement at my college graduation on LinkedIn and thanked those that helped me cross the finish line. Little did I know, the reach would be in the thousands. Hundreds of crew members liked and commented, welcoming me into the company. The fact that crew members who I never met before were so enthusiastic and accepting was humbling. It reassured me that I found a company with a sense of community and family.
The little things count
Another uplifting moment happened while I was struggling to find a conference room. It was the end of the day and most of the office had already headed home. I clearly looked lost, reading every sign to find the meeting location. A woman rushing to catch an elevator paused and asked, “Looking for a room?” I nodded, a little embarrassed, and told her the room number. Instead of just pointing me in the right direction, she took the time to personally walk me to the room. This may seem like a small thing, but to someone who is new, it can mean the world when someone shows a little kindness.
A few months later, I came aboard as a full-time employee. When I came back to the Malvern campus, previous co-workers and managers were excited to connect and hear my updates. That reassured me that our relationships were not static–they were active and lively. And since my start date, I’ve connected with so many people across divisions and in various positions.
Coming out of college, there is a sense of angst and wonder around the corporate environment. But my fears disappeared once I came to Vanguard. From my first face-to-face interaction with crew to launching my career here, I have cultivated and deepened so many valuable relationships.
-Cayla R.
If you enjoyed this post, check out more from our #LifeatVanguard Blog. And if you’re ready for a more rewarding, engaging, meaningful career, check out our opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.
Why is Vanguard one of the Best Places to Work in IT?
A company like Vanguard doesn’t function or flourish without the expertise and support of our IT crew. But it’s not just about technical skills – supportive mentors and peers, challenging work, autonomy, these are all part of the culture of our tech teams. Technology is growing faster than almost any other industry and Vanguard’s IT crew are the investigators, problem-solvers, leaders, and experts who help keep us on the forefront of the ever-changing technical landscape. And these dedicated crew are the driving force behind why Vanguard was recognized as one of Computerworld’s top ten Best Places to Work in IT. In these blogs, our IT crew share their professional development story, the impact they’ve had on technology, and their internship experience.
A Different Kind of Investment
“During my time here, I’ve seen Vanguard support a different type of investing – investing in their crew.” In this blog, IT Developer Elijah A. writes about how Vanguard has supported his professional development.
Vanguard Crew Innovate New Technology through The Discovery Challenge
Solutions Architect Linda C. was able to coordinate the Discovery Challenge, a way for crew to submit their innovative ideas and ultimately influence technological advancements at Vanguard.
Meeting Vanguard At The Grace Hopper Conference
Learn how Stephanie made her decision to accept an internship offer after spending time with Vanguard at the Grace Hopper Conference.
You might also be interested in…
8 Tips From An IT Recruiter On How To Ace Your Interview
Are you an IT professional with an upcoming interview? Sharon H., a Vanguard IT recruiter, provides 8 tips to ace your interview in this blog.
Vanguard Crew Share Memories of Founder, Jack Bogle
If you have ever wandered the halls of Vanguard, it is likely you have a Jack Bogle story. Vanguard crew members have proudly shared personal experiences involving the company Founder, celebrating the remarkable man who helped shape the investment landscape that exists today. Through their reflections, it is evident that Vanguard crew will continue to honor his legacy for years to come.
“Jack Bogle was the kindest, most thoughtful person I ever met. As a veteran, I recall days back in the 90’s, Jack would show up unannounced in our area and just give a speech. You could be having the worse day ever and after hearing Jack speak, you felt like you could conquer the world. Mr. Bogle’s empathy and true positive spirit, along with his wit, made crew feel like they were a part of his own family. RIP Mr. Bogle and thank you for all that you did for me and the crew.”
– Carol S.
“I’m lucky to have had a few great memories with Mr. Bogle, especially in the last few years in my role on the Retail social media team. He was always so humble and open when we worked with him. Reading through social media posts this week from fans around the world has been so heartwarming. I’m torn between my top two memories: discussing a musical in the Morgan Galley while waiting for a sandwich, or asking him to pose with this sign while discussing hashtags and how much people love him on the Internet.”
– Tamara S.
“After I’d been here a few years, I decided I wanted to meet Mr. Bogle, so I e-mailed him directly to ask. He e-mailed me back pretty quickly and said, “Sure, let’s do it.” He met with me one-on-one for about a half an hour, and then he and a couple of my fellow crew members all went to lunch together in the Galley. He was a rock star in the financial world with a rock star schedule, but still made himself accessible to anyone who asked. Godspeed, good sir. You changed my life, and the world.”
– Chuck R.
“Jack Bogle was a true inspiration to all in the investing world, but especially to those that knew him and worked for this company. I will fondly remember seeing him in the galley, receiving his books, and having him sign each and every one. I’ll cherish a photo I was able to take of the two of us in his office for a book signing a few years ago. RIP Mr. Bogle. May the legacy you leave behind continue to make you proud.”
– Lari H.
“I met Mr. Bogle in my first few months at Vanguard. Like many others, it was a quick conversation in the Galley back in 1998. I would have been thrilled with a quick nod, but he took the time to speak with me, asked what I did, and he shared a quick story about his Princeton thesis and the importance of what we do. I left with the feeling that I had the most important job in the world and it helped cement early on that Vanguard was the place for me. I had a number of other interactions with him over the years and while I expected him to slow down, he would constantly surprise me with his energetic voice, sharp mind and engaging stories. But it was his idealism that had the most impact on me. A man that could have lived in an exclusive social strata and with significant wealth was very comfortable engaging with anyone and focused his professional life on making financial security attainable for the masses. Even one person can make a difference – Very inspirational! Thank you for so many life lessons and rest easy, sir – we’ll take it from here.”
– Michael G.
Thank you, Mr. Bogle.
Serving in both my day job and night job
I come from a service-oriented family. From teachers and nurses to law enforcement and the military, my parents, grandparents, siblings, and even in-laws have all fields covered. So you can imagine how much of an oddball I was when I decided to pursue a career in finance after really enjoying my business classes in college. I had a personal dilemma of feeling like I needed to choose a career path that either put me or put others first. I graduated college in the midst of the global financial crisis, during which the reputation for most firms in the industry was at an all-time low. I pictured my future self sitting at a family dinner and talking about my day working with investments, and then hearing about family members saving lives or risking theirs for complete strangers. Talk about humbling.
Doing well while doing good
In researching companies with whom I wanted to work, Vanguard rose to the top after I spoke with a few crew members through mutual college friends. The biggest thing that struck me was the way they spoke about helping investors, genuinely putting others first, and the client and community-centered culture. I had a flashback to interviewing for another financial services firm where I was asked how many wealthy people I knew so that I could begin selling them products (Answer: Not many, and no thank you). At Vanguard, there seemed to be an opportunity to mix both ‘doing well’ in building a great career and ‘doing good’ for others through service.
My ‘day job’: Serving our clients
Fast forward eight years and Vanguard has given me the opportunity to help serve in both my ‘day’ and ‘night’ jobs. In my ‘day job’, I lead a team of investment analysts in our Personal Advisor Services group, where my team is responsible for building out the methodology used to construct and manage our clients’ portfolios. Each day, we work to solve complex issues that will ultimately impact our clients’ ability to reach their financial goals. Knowing what is riding on our success is a terrific motivating factor and our entire team is focused on the collective goal of doing the right thing for our clients.
I also get to see Vanguard’s financial advisors helping clients that need it most: those that don’t have the time, willingness, or ability to manage their money. I get to hear real stories about our crew making a difference in people’s lives by helping them achieve a goal or giving them peace of mind in volatile markets.
My ‘night job’: Serving the community
In my ‘night job’, I am a member of the leadership team for My Classroom Economy, a completely free financial literacy program that enables educators to teach children financial responsibility. The program was developed by an incredible group of volunteers, many of whom were educators prior to working at Vanguard, and has reached over 800,000 students. I lead a team focused on building partnerships at the state and federal level, and pushing for district, county, and state-wide adoption of financial responsibility programs. Our ultimate goal is to ensure children receive the basic financial responsibility education they need, as having this skill has been proven to play such an important role in their lives.
Earlier this year, two peers and I went to Washington D.C. to meet with staff members in the Treasury Department, House, and Senate, in an effort to promote the importance of teaching financial literacy at an early age. We were frequently asked how much the program costs and, after saying it is 100% free, are asked “What’s in it for Vanguard, then?” The truth is that the program is powered completely by Vanguard volunteers, each and every one of us are driven to serve and make a positive difference in the community for no other reason than that it is the right thing to do.
If you’re currently seeking a job or choosing a career path, my advice would be don’t compromise on what is most important to you (your ‘non-negotiables’) and find a company you would be proud to represent. Doing this requires that you take the time to reflect on what you won’t compromise and do your due diligence to learn about the culture at prospective employers. My non-negotiables were working for an organization with a service mindset and for which there would be no conflict of interest between our success and our client’s success. I’m incredibly proud to represent Vanguard in both my ‘day’ and ‘night’ jobs, and I now have great stories to tell at the dinner table!
-Nick L.
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7 New Year’s resolutions from Vanguard leaders for 2019
We asked 7 leaders from all across Vanguard, “What is your career-related New Year’s resolution?” Here’s what they had to say:
1. Christina Selby, Principal in Finance:
Spend time each week reading to increase my understanding of the asset management industry and the markets. There is so much change going on in today’s world and I want to make sure I carve out time to focus on my personal learning this year.
2. Steve Holman, Principal in Institutional Sales:
In the new year, I’m going to make a concerted effort to spend more time with front-line crew in their interactions with advisors and clients. I am still relatively new to my role as Head of Vanguard Retirement Plan Access (VRPA), so investing the time with our clients will not only force me to deepen my knowledge of our products and services, but it will also allow me to gain valuable first-hand insight about how we can serve clients better.
3. Jodi Miller, Principal in Retail:
Increase my investment acumen. Specifically, being new to Vanguard, I want to learn more about our investment and advice methodology as a firm and how we build funds for our clients.
4. Joe Davis, Chief Economist and Principal in Investment Management:
Read even more daily than I do (from 2 hours/day to 3 hours/day). Finish my Python course I am taking online. Complete 20 read books in 2019.
5. Kevin Jestice, Principal in Information Technology & Security:
My career New Year’s resolution is to schedule more unscheduled time. Sounds funny, but my most productive and creative times come from talking to members of our team, drawing on white boards, and spontaneous interactions. I intend to free up more time in my days for those types of interactions by scheduling free time.
6. Lisha Davis, Head of the Innovation Studio:
Go completely paperless and create more teambuilding time.
7. Manuel Calero, Principal in Retail:
I love to read books that can help me be a better leader. Some of my favorites are Thinking: Fast and Slow, Factfulness, and The Captain Class. I often recommend books I think offer relevant and practical ideas for improvement, but I think I can do more than just recommend the book. For the new year, I am committing to hosting one lunch per month where I facilitate a hands-on activity that introduces a concept I read about in a way that makes it easy to apply to our day-to-day responsibilities.
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