Day in the Life Archives - Vanguard Careers

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

May 11, 2022/in Crew benefits, Culture, Day in the Life /by jortega

Sperry_Talli_17- final 2017 professional photo (2)

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

As I sat down at my desk to write this blog, I landed upon a “puff” baby snack. Rather than feeling frustration at the crumbs, I was surprised to find myself smiling- because I’m learning that balancing work and motherhood can be messy… but beautiful too.

Leading an ultra-high net worth wealth management business and sponsoring the launch of a private investment product, all with an infant on my lap, was not how I pictured my career. Given my degrees in the arts, a career at an investment management company didn’t even seem in the realm of possibility. So, the idea of doing it all while holding my baby would never have occurred to me- outside of a random fantasy about living a functional version of Diane Keaton’s Baby Boom boardroom scenes.

Yet, my arts background has made me comfortable with and invigorated by ambiguity—I find joy in the strategy needed to launch a business solution—as it provides me with the opportunity to create. So, when I got the beautiful surprise of my first child shortly after I’d been given one of my biggest career opportunities leading a heavily investment-focused project, I was excited… and then I panicked about whether I could balance my new normal.

Thankfully conversations with my bosses and mentors helped me realize that I could be a good mom and keep my career going. I’m still amazed that amidst the biggest assignment of my career, I was able to take a fully paid four-month maternity leave and return to pick my work up right where I left off.

Now in my mid-forties, I often find myself cuddling my infant daughter (and at times feeding her puff baby snacks, thus the crunch as I sat down today) during work meetings about Vanguard’s Family Office Wealth Management business, Family Legacy Services, and Private Equity …and I love it. The quirky mix warms my heart. I’m forever grateful to work for an organization that never denied me career opportunities, even as I balanced the joyous shock of my dream-come-true life event of becoming a mother. Vanguard has never wavered on its commitment to help me learn and grow, and to present awesome career opportunities as I lean in.

As a working mom, who cares passionately about her career and utterly adores (and never wants to miss a moment of) her daughter, Vanguard is the place I want to be. A life of baby puffs and big presentations works for me.

— Talli H.

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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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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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Our top careers blogs from 2021

December 15, 2021/in Advice from crew, Culture, Day in the Life /by balajivaradaraj

Our top careers blogs from 2021

The end of the year is often a time to reflect on all that’s been accomplished in the last twelve months. 2021 was another unique year and we pulled together the top five career stories for you. Whether it’s your first read or you’re revisiting a favorite, we hope you enjoy!

Vanguard’s enhanced Total Rewards package

Vanguard’s Total Rewards Package provides benefits for the unique needs of each of our crew members. Over the past year, it has become even more evident that these needs are ever-changing and different for each person. We continue to offer expanded benefits to fit various definitions of family and work-life balance, and aim to provide crew with the tools, resources, and programs they need to operate at their full potential – in both work and life.

Coming out- On repeat

On National Coming Out Day, Shawn H. opend up about how coming out is not a once and done experience—It’s ongoing.

How Vanguard supports long-term career growth

Vanguard supports the long-term career growth of our crew through an internal mobility process, as well as mentorships and upskilling resources. In this blog, Chelsea M. shares insights into our offerings as well as feedback from key stakeholders who have benefited from them.

Jun Oh’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

Recruiting for MBA students is an extremely competitive landscape. Decisions are based on prior work experience and role compatibility, geographic variances, industry preferences, total compensation, benefits,
and more. So, what is it about Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program that has both attracted and retained this high-potential talent? We took a deeper dive into this question and asked Vanguard crew members who participated in the MBA Leadership Development Program to recap their experience and share what initially attracted them to Vanguard and what keeps them feeling fulfilled in their roles. In this second installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Jun Oh Y.

The call that changed it all

In this blog, Rebecca H. opens up about her journey to Vanguard and professional development opportunities she has received as a crew member.

Feeling inspired? Make your career count with Vanguard. Search our opportunities.

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

September 30, 2021/in Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education Entry-level Phone Group /by balajivaradaraj

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

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 second installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Courtney G.

Tell us about your voyage to Vanguard.

My journey to Vanguard started taking shape early on in my career. After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Accounting, I held roles at both public and private sector firms. I learned to build and manage cash forecast models and to use the information to deliver on better money management tools and recommendations for successful business results. Although I was developing skills that would support continued career success, I did not feel fulfilled in my work. I wasn’t connecting with people and I wanted to use my knowledge to help others.

I took some time off to evaluate my career objectives and began looking for a better job fit. In my search, I came across Vanguard’s mission statement, “To take a stand for all investors … to treat them fairly … and to give them the best chance for investment success.” At the time, the investment industry was somewhat intimidating to me, but I wanted to learn more. I was quickly drawn to Vanguard’s culture and the meaning behind the company’s mission statement. In December, I will be celebrating five years with Vanguard! Not only have I continued to build my investment acumen through internships and by obtaining additional licenses and credentials, but most importantly, I am making a difference in investors’ lives. As my voyage continues, my passion grows, and I look forward to new opportunities to help others towards their goals of investment success.

Why did you choose to launch your career in Client Services?

The reason I chose to launch my career in Client Services is because it felt like the right space for me to have conversations with clients and talk about something we all think about… retirement! I don’t feel like I am much different from my clients who want to make sure they are saving enough for the future, investing in a way that makes sense, and navigating more complex areas once we’ve reached retirement.

What have been the most rewarding aspects of your role?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is sharing with my clients what makes Vanguard unique. The experience many investors have had before coming to Vanguard consists of focusing on returns and reacting to market volatility. What I’ve found satisfying is having that first conversation with a client about Vanguard’s time-tested methodology for investment success. Helping my client see that outside distractors are not where we focus our energy. Our focus is on our client’s financial goals, a balanced portfolio, keeping costs low, and the discipline to make decisions with confidence. I love sharing the holistic approach of creating a plan to live by so that you aren’t just “hoping” for success but “planning” for success.

Another aspect of my role that I find fulfilling is sharing with my clients that we don’t work on commission at Vanguard. I ensure they know that my fiduciary responsibility is to recommend options that are in their best interest.

How has Vanguard supported your professional development and career advancement?

Vanguard is a company that is goal oriented. From our investment methodology to the career development of crew members, setting goals is in our DNA. I remember just over a year ago, I declared my interest to move into a sales role. I wanted to cultivate relationships with my clients that would have a positive impact on their investment journey. However, I lacked the skillset to transition from a client service role into a sales position.

I discussed my interest in sales with my leader who encouraged me to apply to the “Accelerate to Sales and Advice Program,” which I affectionately refer to today as ASAP. What I loved about ASAP was the opportunity to join a cadre of like-minded peers across Vanguard’s domestic sites who shared a desire to enhance their sales acumen and learn about the Miller Heiman (MH) Framework from the ground up. Over the course of twenty-four weeks, we concentrated on four primary areas of MH: Open, Discover, Satisfy and Close. Here, we go beyond the numbers and graphs, and focus on why investing is important in our clients’ lives. As a sales specialist I earn the privilege to open deeper dialogue with investors and uncover their needs and their deeper needs. The deeper needs or the “Need behind the Need” (NBN) are discovery moments where the client begins to recognize, observe and see things differently. They can also be identified as “Positive Defining Moments” (PDMs) which create authentic connections and bring value to the client experience at Vanguard. This client immersed MH approach takes the focus off the seller and redirects it to the client, where it belongs. The conversations that manifest are impacting our clients’ lives and the way they invest.

The ASAP program was thoughtfully constructed and very rewarding for me. Upon successful completion of these four areas, I launched into a senior sales role that I love. It’s been an exciting journey and I’m humbled to be part of a company that values the development and advancement of their employees, which in turn, creates a better, positive client experience. Thanks to the ASAP program, I have found a deeper passion in my work that creates excitement in my role with every client experience.

Interested in a career in Client Services or Sales? Check out our opportunities today!

Please check out our first installment of this series to learn about Don’s experiences within Vanguard’s Client Services and Operations group.

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Antonia’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

August 16, 2021/in Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education /by manikantashetty

Antonia’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

Recruiting for MBA students is an extremely competitive landscape. Decisions are based on prior work experience and role compatibility, geographic variances, industry preferences, total compensation, benefits, and more. So, what is it about Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program that has both attracted and retained this high-potential talent?

We took a deeper dive into this question and asked Vanguard crew members who participated in the MBA Leadership Development Program to recap their experience and share 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 Antonia S.

What was the biggest thing that drew you to Vanguard as you were seeking full-time opportunities?

Company culture and development opportunities are two very important attributes of a post-MBA employer. While recruiting in business school, I was determined to work at a company where employees felt like they were being cared for and actively being developed into their best selves. After 7-8 pre-Super Day information interviews, it was clear that these were genuinely the top reasons crew and leaders not only came to Vanguard, but also why they stay.

Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program is rotational in nature, and also unique in that they solicit the business to understand where the needs are for MBA talent. So one experience can be different from another. What teams were you able to support during your 15 month rotation?

My first rotation in the MBA Leadership Development Program was in Organizational Consulting Services, followed by a rotation in Enterprise Advice, and then our Retail Investor Group. I launched on the Enterprise New Ways of Working team.

What were some roles/responsibilities that your day-to-day consisted of?

In my first rotation, I served as Organizational Effectiveness Consultant on our Organization Consulting Services team. During this rotation, I had a bird’s eye view of what was going on across all 11 of our divisions from an organizational strategy and design perspective. As a result, I had the opportunity to influence organization strategy, design, in-take processes, and training in change management.

Next, I served as an Advice Strategist on our Enterprise Advice – FAS Use Case team in my second rotation. It was in this rotation that I really accelerated my overall investment management acumen, specifically in the financial planning space. Additionally, it was there that I was introduced to the methodology of New Ways of Working. This rotation was also a stretch opportunity for me as I was the only woman of color on my team, did not have extensive technology experience, and the team was headquartered away from Malvern’s main campus.

In my final rotation, I served as a Business Project Manager on our Retail Investor Group’s Blueprint Transformation team. This rotation was unique because the entire team was working from each of our US offices. Consequently, I spent the majority of my time working remotely with crew from our domestic sites implementing strategies around New Ways of Working.

What was the most significant project you worked on?

As I launched into our Project Management Office team for Enterprise New Ways of Working, we were evaluating a new vendor that would provide a tool that gives the enterprise easier access to team intelligence and information. I was able to take this initiative through all phases: research, pilot, testing, and ultimately deploying it into all divisions. I remember how rewarding it felt when the feedback came in from our testing phase, and crew were really enjoying using it. This was an enterprise-wide shift, so to leave an imprint at that scale will always be something I remember.

What was the most impactful takeaway from the rotational program?

Relationship management. This was crucial to understand and build expertise in. Honing my relationship management skills allowed me to get my job done more efficiently, whether I was responsible for building a team, getting a message across to the enterprise, or just checking in with someone. It has allowed for continuous, open, and honest feedback throughout my career at Vanguard, and it has given me access to having a seat at the table to make decisions.

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

For me, it was tackling the infamous ‘imposter syndrome.’ As a career switcher entering into a rotation program, I was truly excited by all of the opportunities I could take part in, so much that I always selected roles that were completely new to me with the hope of developing new skills and experiences. With the steep learning curves that come with each new rotation, you can imagine the frequency and intensity of self-doubt that hit every time. Fortunately, between and post each rotation, participants are given ample time to reflect and engage with their managers and mentors. It was through these intentional engagements that I was able to better recognize and track my personal progress. Additionally, it did not hurt to have great peers and mentors who were also intentional in providing meaningful feedback on my progress and strengths.

What is keeping you fulfilled in your current role at Vanguard?

The Man in the Mirror effect – based on the famous song, which essentially says: If you want the world to be different, if you want it to be a better place, the change needs to start with you—the person in the mirror. In this case, Vanguard is the man/person/organization in the mirror right now. We have been making great strides to change pertinent aspects of our businesses, products, services and culture to continue taking a stand for all investors, giving them the best chance for investment success and doing it in the most inclusive way possible.

One of my most recent memorable experiences was during our company-wide ‘real talk’ sessions hosted by the Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN) this past year. Our real talk sessions included topics ranging from social justice reform to white fragility to micro-aggressions in the workplace. In my entire 10+ year professional career, I had never had the opportunity to take part in such triggering, yet vulnerable conversations as these at work. VBPN provided safe and productive environments for members of the Vanguard community to talk about race, social economic status, family background and mental health, all during one of the most traumatic periods of our country’s history. Importantly, these conversations have not stopped there—they have effectively transcended managerial, team, department, and divisional level conversations. Just this past February, our Chief Investment Officer, Greg Davis, emphasized a need for the entire investment management community to do the work required to make our industry a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone. From the most junior crew to the c-suite, it is clear that, while we have a ways to go, Vanguard is making an intentional effort to make this industry a more inclusive place. As a Black woman and leader at Vanguard, this is something that I truly value.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone considering joining either our MBA internship or full-time rotational program?

Do the personal reflection work to truly understand the following question: Why Vanguard? Don’t limit your reflection to what you can give or get out of the rotation program, but focus on the impact you can have near and far, local and globally, at an organization such as Vanguard. Think about the community and environments you thrive in most. As a participant in our Leadership Development Rotation Program, you will have access to various people and resources to help you shape and chart the next course in your professional journey.

If you are interested in learning more or applying to our MBA Leadership Development – Internship opportunities, please visit our MBA page.

Please check out our first and second installments of this series to learn about Chantee’s and Jun Oh’s experiences with Vanguard’s MBA Internship Program.

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Tips and advice when interviewing for Financial Advisor jobs

June 23, 2021/in Advice from crew, Day in the Life /by jortega

Tips and advice when interviewing for Financial Advisor jobs

We recently sat down with Vanguard recruiters and asked them to share tips and best practices for interviews. In this segment of the Recruiter Q&A Series, Melissa Whitaker provides insights and advice for candidates interested in pursuing an opportunity as a Financial Advisor in our Personal Advisor Services group.

Tell me about yourself. How long have you been at Vanguard? What has your career journey looked like and what business area do you recruit for?

I have been a full-time crew member with Vanguard since August 2017, when my family relocated from New York to Pennsylvania. I have supported external talent attraction and hiring for Personal Advisor Services (PAS) since joining. In fact, my whole career has been within talent acquisition. I truly pride myself on finding not only the right technical fit, but the right cultural addition to our firm as well. I am proud of Vanguard for prioritizing diverse search efforts to promote inclusivity and build a diversified team of professionals.

More recently, I had the opportunity to speak about talent attraction to the PAS division through our Women in Leadership Series – it energizes me to share my passion with others. Vanguard has been a home where I can confidently stand behind our mission to service our clients, have true alignment to our ethics and values, and feel the investment Vanguard provides our crew members internally.

How do you recommend candidates prepare for an interview at Vanguard and for the Financial Advisor role?

CFP designated experienced advisors can best prepare by asking themselves what their top three must haves are in a new organization and job opportunity. Similar to buying a house, you are essentially prioritizing your non-negotiable requirements. Examples can be anything from company culture, work-life balance, growth opportunities, mission alignment, believing in our advice offering and client focus and more. Being able to share this with your recruiter will allow them to ensure that not only do you have what we are looking for in a candidate, but that Vanguard has what you are looking for as well. Our hope is that Vanguard is a place you can call home through retirement.

The primary means of communication with our clients in PAS is over the phone, so building a relationship with the interview team will help us to understand how that rapport would translate to our clients.

Responding to our behavioral based interview questions with how you would generally handle a situation or task is great but follow up by using real life examples. This is critical to show your resourcefulness, strategic thinking, and prioritization. My biggest bit of advice would be to have a couple specific questions prepared in advance, even if it is asking the interviewer about themselves or asking if there is anything you can clarify about your candidacy.

Why PAS at Vanguard?

The major differentiator in our PAS offering for advisors is their ability to focus on truly developing their craft of planning, while helping clients reach their financial goals. Our consultative approach allows our advisors to develop meaningful rapport and trust with our clients. Vanguard also requires the CFP designation for our advisors as part of our advice offering. In general, candidates should certainly have an alignment to Vanguard, but CFP advisors specifically should also have a good understanding and belief in the PAS offer.

What advice do you have for experienced candidates who are interested in a career change?

I most often get messages from candidates interested in reentering the workforce. I am passionate about and have been involved with major diversity initiative programs throughout my career, the most memorable being Return to Work programs for women and veterans. In fact, PAS launched a Return to Work Internship with great success. Even during the pandemic, we are committed to diversifying our search efforts through inclusivity. With that said, my advice is to continuously invest in yourself and your career – we foster a learning environment, so having an interest in sinking your teeth into a new challenge and being able to express doing that within Vanguard is key.

What additional resources can candidates reference to learn more about careers in this field at vanguard?

Watch the Vanguard Advisors Career Overview video and read our crew testimonials. Take it a step further and connect with advisors on LinkedIn or request an exploratory call to learn more prior to submitting a formal application. Our crew members are our best resource to advocate for our firm. What are you waiting for?

– Melissa Whitaker,
Personal Advisor Services Recruiter

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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Jun Oh’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

June 16, 2021/in Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education specialty programs /by deepikasharma

Jun Oh’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

Recruiting for MBA students is an extremely competitive landscape. Decisions are based on prior work experience and role compatibility, geographic variances, industry preferences, total compensation, benefits, and more. So, what is it about Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program that has both attracted and retained this high-potential talent?

We took a deeper dive into this question and asked Vanguard crew members who participated in the MBA Leadership Development Program to recap their experience and share what initially attracted them to Vanguard and what keeps them feeling fulfilled in their roles. In this second installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Jun Oh Y.

What was the biggest thing that drew you to Vanguard as you were seeking full-time opportunities?

I knew that Vanguard was the right next step for my career when I saw how they treated their crew members. My previous work experience at large financial service firms prior to business school taught me that emphasizing the employee experience in writing and having it embedded in the organization are two different things. With Vanguard, I experienced first-hand the level of support and investment Vanguard was making toward its crew members during my internship, and when it came time to decide where to head after business school, the decision came easily.

My MBA rotation experience was broad, dynamic, and fulfilling. I couldn’t have asked for a better overall experience. My three rotations were with: Enterprise Advice, Corporate Strategy, and Investment Risk.

What were some roles/responsibilities that your day-to-day consisted of?

While rotating through Enterprise Advice, I worked in Advice Product Strategy and Management, in the financial planning product sleeve. This rotation focused on exploring the applicability of a new scenario planning tool and building a model to better estimate end client usage of our advice products. With a good mix of a broad new subject matter and quantitative analysis, my first rotation helped lay the groundwork for my Vanguard journey.

I further expanded my understanding of Vanguard in my second rotation in Corporate Strategy, where I worked with various teams across the enterprise and divisional level in Data and Analytics, International, our Institutional Investor Group, and Business Development. My second rotation was quite dynamic in coverage and helped me better understand the business, along with our biggest priorities.

To round out my experience, my third rotation was closer to investments in the Risk Management Group, where I was tasked with re-vamping our Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size methodology in our Liquidity Risk Management program.

What was the most significant project you worked on?

When I was working on re-vamping our Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size methodology in our Liquidity Risk Management program, the new methodology was to impact the liquidity classifications across our hundreds of funds and had downstream impact in regulatory reporting as well as how we would look at liquidity risk going forward. Having the chance to contribute to such a highly visible and impactful program was very fulfilling.

What was the most impactful takeaway from the rotational program?

The most impactful takeaway is that we are expected to ask a lot of questions and bring our diverse opinions to the table. The program was designed to bring outside talent in. I believe those in the program should consider the rotations as an opportunity to develop these skills and bring it to their launch roles.

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Switching between different project methodologies by balancing execution and upfront planning were a challenge. Given the expedited timeline of the rotational program, I initially tried to define an exact scope and specific internal milestones for every engagement. However, with the iterative nature of the larger projects, I came to realize that the flexibility of an agile methodology with consistent involvement from cross functional teams would produce a better, more efficient outcome. Fortunately, the opportunities to practice this skill – identifying which types of projects would most benefit from these two opposing approaches— and becoming proficient in it, ultimately helped me secure my current launch role.

What is keeping you fulfilled in your current role at Vanguard?

The two things that keep me at Vanguard are the people and Vanguard’s attitude toward development. When I was rotating in Enterprise Advice, a fellow crew member mentioned how “unconditional positive regard” helps him work through differences of opinion in meetings. This concept of acceptance and support regardless of opinion, with the acknowledgement that we are all on the same team, neatly summarizes my interactions with my colleagues. It is so refreshing to see how everyone in the room is working toward the common goal, without pretext. Along with such an amiable work environment, Vanguard’s support for learning and development, both in and outside of work, sets it apart. The various support networks and resources we have available helped me further expand not only my subject matter expertise, but also made me feel more like a member of the broader Vanguard family.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone considering joining either our MBA internship or full-time rotational program?

Take full advantage of the MBA program network! We have quite a few folks that have gone through the program before us with wonderful nuggets of wisdom to share. I learned a tremendous amount from them and made some great friends in the process.

If you are interested in learning more or applying to our MBA Leadership Development – Internship opportunities, please visit our MBA page .

Please check out our first installment of this series to learn about Chantee’s experience with Vanguard’s MBA Internship Program.

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Exploring Advice with Vanguard’s Black Professional Network

June 9, 2021/in Day in the Life, Diversity & inclusion Financial Advisor /by manikantashetty

Exploring Advice with Vanguard’s Black Professional Network

My journey as a Financial Advisor

Growing up in a lower income community, financial advice was a concept not frequently discussed, despite its importance. This disparity is what led me to become a Financial Advisor, but most importantly, what led me to pursue my career as a Financial Advisor with Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services (PAS). Vanguard stays true to its mission – to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success – and has been a trail blazer in doing this within PAS. I wanted the opportunity to be able to do what is best for clients from a variety of different backgrounds and levels of wealth, and PAS enables me to do this every day.

Joining Vanguard’s Black Professional Network

Professional development is a large part of why I enjoy working at Vanguard. Crew are always encouraged to continuously develop ourselves as well as those around us. As a member of one of Vanguard’s Crew Resource Groups, the Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN), I’ve had the honor of serving on a team within VBPN that has been tasked with creating and facilitating unique opportunities for crew to develop personally and professionally by building expertise.

Fireside chat

Earlier this year, we organized a fireside chat highlighting Vanguard’s advisory business, where leaders discussed how Vanguard is bringing advice to traditionally underserved segments at scale and shared career options and best practices for those interested in pursuing a career within Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services group. The event featured two of Vanguard’s most prestigious women in advice, Janelle McDonald, Head of Product Management and Strategy for Personal Advisor Services, and Massy Williams, CFA and the Principal and Head of Strategic Operations for Financial Advisor Services.

The event was amazing! Janelle and Massy were able to explain where Vanguard fits within the broader advisory and wealth management industry, as well as provide an overview of the competitive landscape. They also opened up about how Vanguard has maintained its standing in the industry due to the quality of service that we offer at a competitive price as well as the commitment we have made to do what is best for our clients. Massy shared, “Vanguard has been consistent in telling investors to be disciplined, stay the course, and remain committed to their long-term investment plans.” This spoke to me because it is essentially the reason that I love being a Financial Advisor with Vanguard; we are equipped with the organization’s methodology and are empowered to do what is best for our clients to ensure they are successful long-term.

Lastly, one of my favorite moments from the event was being able to hear more about career pathing within Vanguard’s advisory business. Janelle highlighted a wide range of options that are available to crew, from client facing roles, such as Financial Advisors, to product ownership opportunities that help shape how we deliver advice to our clients. There are a lot of possibilities, and that leaves me excited about the future.

Interested in exploring our Financial Advisor opportunities? Click here to learn more.

-Aliya W.

CFA® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
Advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc., a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company, a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

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Chantee’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Internship Program

May 12, 2021/in Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education /by jortega

Chantee’s perspective:
Vanguard’s MBA Internship Program

Recruiting for MBA students is an extremely competitive landscape. Decisions are based on prior work experience and role compatibility, geographic variances, industry preferences, total compensation, benefits, and more. So, what is it about Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program that has both attracted and retained this high-potential talent?

We took a deeper dive into this question and asked Vanguard crew members who participated in the MBA Leadership Development – Internship Program to recap their experience and share what initially attracted them to Vanguard and what keeps them feeling fulfilled in their roles. In this first installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Chantee B.

What was the biggest thing that drew you to Vanguard as you were seeking internship opportunities?

I went to undergraduate school in Philadelphia, so I heard a lot about Vanguard and its culture before pursuing my MBA. Coming from consulting, I had exposure to various financial institutions, but from everything I learned, Vanguard was just different in the way that they treat and care about their crew. I did a lot of research on the firm, and I was interested to find out for myself what life at Vanguard was all about, so I applied and interviewed for the internship. I was then given an offer and I accepted it!

Vanguard’s MBA internship program is unique in that they solicit the business to understand where the needs are for MBA talent, meaning one experience for a participant can be different from another. What team or department were you aligned to during your 10 weeks?

My internship was on the Marketing Solutions team in Vanguard’s Planning and Development division.

What were some roles/responsibilities that your day-to-day consisted of?

Coming into Vanguard, I knew that I wanted to work on a project that would be a stretch experience for me. I had no background in marketing and wanted to learn something new! The project I was assigned was a very strategic initiative for the firm, and it also gave me the opportunity to dive deep into data. Some of my daily roles and responsibilities consisted of engaging key stakeholders to gather information, finding and analyzing pertinent data, and documenting frameworks to create repeatable processes.

What was the most significant project you worked on?

The most significant project that I worked on was helping to achieve cost savings for clients using efficient processes and technology. Marketing is a technology driven function, and during my internship, I analyzed qualitative and quantitative data to make decisions on which marketing tools should be considered for widespread adoption and which should be retired.

What was the most impactful takeaway from the internship program?

Vanguard is a big place! There are a lot of functional areas and domains that you can dive into. On the flip side, it’s still easy to feel at home and part of the team because the firm takes a keen interest in its people.

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Balancing learning all things Vanguard, while also performing well on my project, was my greatest challenge! After coming back full-time, I’m still learning about the organization! Prioritizing and pacing is key.

What brought you back to Vanguard to explore the full-time MBA Leadership Development Program?

The culture and the people are what brought me back to Vanguard full-time. I met so many amazing individuals over the summer who took the time to invest in me in some way, even though they didn’t know me. I’ve worked on many cool projects during my tenure that have helped with my development as I gain new skills, but it’s the people who helped along the way that matters the most.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone considering joining either our MBA internship or full-time rotational program?

Network! Talk to previous interns and MBA program participants to gain an understanding of their experiences. And once you come to Vanguard, don’t stop networking! During my summer internship I learned that crew love to participate in coffee chats, and that didn’t stop in the virtual environment! I have continued to network and schedule time with crew and leaders to learn about their journeys as well as different areas within Vanguard.

If you are interested in learning more or applying to our MBA Leadership Development – Internship opportunities, please visit our MBA page.

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

As I sat down at my desk to write this blog, I landed upon a “puff” baby snack. Rather than feeling frustration at the crumbs, I was surprised to find myself smiling- because I’m learning that balancing work and motherhood can be messy… but beautiful too.

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