Training & education Archives

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.

More career blogs you may have missed

Discovering Vanguard through Tech Elevator

September 8, 2021/in Advice from crew, Training & education, Voyage to Vanguard /by jortega

Discovering Vanguard through Tech Elevator

Tech Elevator is an intensive coding bootcamp which teaches students from diverse backgrounds to become software developers and build necessary career-readiness skills. Vanguard is a corporate partner to Tech Elevator, and together, we are working to create greater access to careers in tech. Through our partnership, we have been able to attract, engage with and hire candidates who have excelled in the program. In this blog, you will hear from two crew members who completed Tech Elevator’s coding bootcamp and are now developers here at Vanguard.

How did you learn about Tech Elevator?

In the fall of 2019, I started to explore options to quickly change my career after feeling unfulfilled in my profession. I had always been interested in software development, and an acquaintance suggested I look at coding bootcamps, a concept completely foreign to me at the time. After researching a number of programs, Tech Elevator really stood out to me because of their transparency, commitment to their students, and their high alumni employment rate. They also had a matchmaking program that helped job candidates network with other companies — this in itself was an intriguing quality as someone who would be looking for a job in the near future. Luckily, Tech Elevator was opening its first cohort in Philadelphia in January of 2020, and after some conversations with the campus director and staff, I chose to enroll.
– Kevin M.

I joined Tech Elevator because of their astonishingly high placement rates for students after graduation, their curriculum, and continued support after graduation.
– Dennis P.

What ultimately led you to decide to pursue an opportunity with Vanguard?

During Tech Elevator’s Matchmaking program, I learned that Vanguard was one of Tech Elevator’s hiring partners. While I knew Vanguard was one of the largest financial institutions in the world, I didn’t realize what they had to offer in terms of culture and sense of community. There appeared to be a great balance between professionalism while still being your authentic self, which was exactly what I was looking for. I also wanted opportunities to learn and grow as a developer, which Vanguard has certainly provided.
– Kevin M.

Prior to interviewing at Vanguard, I researched the organization extensively. Vanguard emphasizes three core values: integrity, focus, and stewardship, all of which are important to me as a military veteran. The interviewing process at Vanguard was very relaxed conversational. I had an opportunity to speak with managers and senior leaders, all of whom were polite and informative. I could see why Vanguard has such a high retention rate. I left the interviews feeling positive and hopeful for an offer to accept.
– Dennis P.

What does your day to day look like since joining Vanguard? What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?

I work on a team of five developers, and we work in two-week sprints. At the beginning of a sprint, each developer is assigned one or more tasks, or “stories,” to complete–this could include research for a future story or coding a piece of functionality for the application we are working on. Every morning we have our daily standup meeting, which is a report on your progress from the previous day and what you plan to work on for the rest of the day. Additionally, we have sprint refinement sessions twice per sprint, and a sprint review at the end of the sprint where we can showcase the work we’ve done.

The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to increase my knowledge as a developer. Vanguard offers a number of professional development opportunities for those in tech, including certifications and ongoing education. So far in my role, I became an AWS Certified Developer, which was both challenging and rewarding, and have attended a number of Vanguard sponsored courses through PluralSight, an online learning and development platform for those interested in technology. I’m confident this ongoing education will only open doors for further opportunity within the company and my career as a developer.
– Kevin M.

Upon joining Vanguard, I was placed on a new team that was tasked with building an internal application that supports Vanguard advisors. It’s been a pleasurable experience working with crewmembers from my team and collaborating with colleagues across the organization. On average I spend a third of my day in meetings. Outside of those meetings I’m either working on stories for a current sprint, researching, collaborating with others, or learning. Vanguard has provided me with ample learning opportunities. For example, I was recently selected to participate in a pilot for Vanguard’s new IT Divisional Learning Journey Program. And, if a training that would be beneficial to my growth becomes available, all I have to do is request permission to attend.
– Dennis P.

What advice would you share with prospective candidates who are interested in a career in IT?

I would say be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into the learning process and minimize distractions while you are learning to code. In addition to coding bootcamps like Tech Elevator, there are a ton of free resources you can find online, including Free Code Camp and Codecademy. YouTube is an excellent resource as well, as you can find a great explanation for almost any concept. Also, be patient, as there is a lot to learn.
– Kevin M.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in Software Engineering, understand that companies use different tech stacks, but the general idea is the same. Pick a stack and familiarize yourself well enough that if you were hired by a company using a different stack and/or framework(s), you would be more up-to-speed and faster to contribute. Don’t compare yourself to others and remain tenacious. Whether you’re experiencing challenges learning something new or difficulties in the hiring process, it’s important to never give up.
– Dennis P.

More career blogs you may have missed

#LifeAtVanguard

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Making an impact through financial advice

Advice from crew, Training & education, Voyage to Vanguard

Discovering Vanguard through Tech Elevator

Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education

Antonia’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Voyage to Vanguard Specialty Program

What I learned from my summer with Vanguard

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Voyage to Vanguard Specialty Program

Insights from our College to Corporate interns

Crew benefits, Training & education

Celebrating our crew scholars

Diversity & inclusion, Training & education

Vanguard participates in Philadelphia Futures event

Advice from crew, Career opportunities Entry-level Phone Group

Advice from crew about starting a new job

Advice from crew, Day in the Life

Tips and advice when interviewing for Financial Advisor jobs

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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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Celebrating our crew scholars

July 15, 2021/in Crew benefits, Training & education /by manikantashetty

Five Students Throwing Their Mortar Boards in the Air at Graduation

Celebrating our crew scholars

Vanguard supports crew members wishing to further their education and build job-related skills by offering reimbursement for eligible programs through the Vanguard Academic Assistance Plan. The Plan provides reimbursement up to $9,000 per calendar year for tuition, books, and certain credit-based exams for undergraduate and graduate education programs. In 2020, over 600 crew participated in the program.

We congratulated those that recently graduated and shared with them a personal poem.

Though this year has been mostly onscreen
You made it look easy and keen.

You persevered because you’re the best
You made it through—you passed the test!

So don your caps and gowns and don’t be late
Because now it’s time to celebrate.

Vanguard sends congrats and a cheer
To the graduates of 2021—hear hear!

Pictured are a few of our crew who submitted their recent graduation photos.

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Vanguard participates in Philadelphia Futures event

July 7, 2021/in Diversity & inclusion, Training & education /by jortega

Tips and advice when interviewing for User Experience 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, Tom Riley provides insights and advice for candidates interested in pursuing an opportunity in our Client Experience and Digital group.

Tell me about yourself. How long have you been at Vanguard?

My career at Vanguard started two years ago when I was brought on to support hiring for design talent in our newly formed Client Experience (CX) pillar. CX was formed in January of 2018 to enhance our Retail Investor Group (RIG), Institutional Investor Group (IIG) and Financial Advisor Services (FAS) clients’ and participants’ experiences and build the infrastructure to scale rapid value creation, so that client experience work can live within the business. In summer of 2019, the client journey labs and the divisions were both ready for the labs to move into the business. RIG formed the Client Experience and Digital (CXD) subdivision to support existing RIG labs and create new labs to expand the scope of RIG’s client experience work to more client journeys, as well as key digital platforms and capabilities. IIG’s journey teams support diverse Business to Business (B2B) client segments (traditional institutions, plan sponsors, and consultants). Our FAS labs help improve the client experience with large transactions that are developing a toolset to provide advisors with dynamic portfolio analytics and recommendations.

What has your career journey looked like?

I was always interested in design. I took art classes in high school and considered going to college for Industrial Design. Professionally, I’ve always recruited for design roles going back to things like Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Controls, and Systems Design. My first real experience with Human Centered Design was with a reputable automobile company. There, I really got to see where design was forced to try to empathize with someone else rather than designing something for themselves. They designed something around that person’s wants and needs.

What business area do you recruit for?

At Vanguard I support a number of User Experience (UX) and creative roles for our experience, product and marketing labs in RIG, IIG, and FAS. Positions include UX Designers, Design Strategists, Researchers, Content and Journey/Product Owners. It’s an exciting time for design at Vanguard! Our product and marketing teams are being restructured into pods or labs as we adopt more modern practices such as Agile, Lean and design thinking.

How do you recommend candidates prepare for an interview in this specific field?

If I wanted to prepare myself as a design candidate at Vanguard, my focus would be on having a really solid portfolio. It’s the best way to tell the story of your work and the impact you’ve had. People learn in all sorts of ways. A formal degree in design or user experience is great because it shows you’ve put in the time to get a deep understanding of theory and practice. But a portfolio is how we are going to learn more about you and what you’ve been able to achieve. Here are some tips to consider:

Tell the full story. Our managers like to see depth and breadth. Your project overviews should summarize the problem statement, process, team makeup, and your role on the team. It’s a red flag when all they see are final mockups with no understanding of how you arrived at that solution.
Highlight your strength; what’s your superpower? When managers review a portfolio, they are trying to identify your potential strengths. It could be coding, complex interactive design, visual design, or something else. If you are newer to the field, managers will look for previous experience and skills that may be transferable, like the ability to problem-solve and use empathy to understand problems.
Make sure your portfolio is modern and up to date. Refining your portfolio is a great way to improve your chances of getting a job. The details are super important to make it look put together and organized. Double-check for typos, grammatical errors, proper alignment of elements, etc.

-Tom Riley, User Experience 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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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.

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My experience presenting at re:Invent

April 7, 2021/in Day in the Life, Training & education Technology /by rumpamala

My experience presenting at re:Invent

I started my career at Vanguard as a software developer in Information Technology Systems supporting our Retail business just about ten years ago. Within the first few weeks, it was evident how authentically Vanguard holds to its mission, putting clients first in every aspect of the company. What has kept me at Vanguard for these ten years is the opportunity for growth. I am consistently learning new technologies to solve the latest challenges sharing what I have learned with crew members here, and I’ve even presented in various marquee conferences outside of Vanguard.

Within the past few years, Vanguard has started to transition most of our software development into the cloud. With that transition has come a wealth of fresh challenges and opportunities. My team was an early adopter of using data and analytics, speech to text, machine learning, and other cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to pave the way for other programs here at Vanguard. Because our team was heavily involved with AWS, I was sent to their largest conference, re:Invent, in 2018 to learn from the brightest minds in the field. After a fully and busy week of panels, events, and discussions with new friends, I returned to my team eager to share my experience, but I had no idea what was in store in the years to come.

My colleague Jeff and I presenting at a conference.

Following re:Invent, my team found itself at the forefront of experimenting more of what AWS has to offer. We started to work directly with a Solutions Architect from AWS who helped us pilot two new services. Once we were successful, so, we shared our learnings with other teams, and strengthened our partnership with AWS. This led to my team being selected to present at re:Invent 2020 to showcase our journey and relationship with AWS.

Presenting at re:Invent was an invaluable experience. Our team planned, prepared, and practiced for several months leading up to the event with our AWS Solutions Architect. Ultimately, we were able to tell our story of how we were implementing new services from AWS to consistently meet the needs of our clients. It was a story that demonstrated the innovative efforts we strive to take while maintaining our client-centered focus.

Being able to represent Vanguard at one of the world’s largest conferences is an opportunity that I never imagined I would have in my career. It’s opportunities like these, and the partnerships I continue to develop, both inside and outside of Vanguard, that encourage me to bring my best and authentic self to work. The ability to innovate and explore ever evolving technology has made each day of my ten-year career as exciting as the first, and I look forward to the future challenges and opportunities that are in store over the next ten and beyond!

-Justin F.

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The call that changed it all

February 10, 2021/in Culture, Training & education /by marcin

The call that changed it all

The call that changed it all
I can still picture the day in my mind:

The grocery-store parking lot in which I curbed my car on a brisk winter day so I could take the introductory call from my Vanguard recruiter. Curious and cautious, I wasn’t sure “the corporate life” was for me. But I’d heard Vanguard’s different—and has been since its inception by John Bogle as a Main Street soul in a Wall Street world.

As you can tell by my writing a #LifeatVanguard blog, the recruiter call that day in the parking lot went well (as did the subsequent phone calls and interviews). One of the main reasons that Vanguard was so attractive to me as a job candidate is that it seemed like a place where I could find the coveted combination of longevity and variety.

I liked that Vanguard seemed to be a company where—with some initiative—I could stay but not get stagnant. I liked that it seemed to be a place that provides the option to cultivate a career comprised of different roles, lasting working relationships, and a strong sense of community. I liked that it seemed to offer chances in the midst of changes.

Thankfully, when I needed all of those perceptions to be true in my debut role at Vanguard, and through some organizational changes, they all were.

The power to steer your career proved to be true
Naturally, organizational change can bring unknowns. Seeing some uncertainty on the horizon but still being certain I wanted a long, vibrant Vanguard career, I seized opportunities to diversify my skills in ways that 1) advanced the value I could add to my teams; and 2) aligned with Vanguard’s implementation of new ways of working in the future.

Thanks to leaders in my subdivision, one such opportunity for diversification was LUMA Institute® Facilitator training. It was increasingly clear in company communications that Vanguard was encouraging more (and better) collaboration and was equipping cohorts of employees to obtain LUMA’s facilitator certification.

With a simpler approach to Human-Centered Design, LUMA facilitator training provided me with powerful tools and proven techniques for fostering collaboration in ways that generate innovative solutions after helping to identify the right problem to solve for in the first place.

I continue to bring that enriched approach to problem-solving to my present role, in addition to ad hoc facilitation opportunities that Vanguard’s LUMA-certified crew can undertake in support of other teams, in or beyond our own divisions.

Considerations for charting your own life at Vanguard
Whether you’re reading this as a fellow crew member currently working at Vanguard, or you’re reading this as a potential hire who’s thinking about applying to Vanguard, I offer these considerations from my own revelations in my first year and a half:

Remember that you are the captain of your career.
Don’t let your excuses ruin your chances.
Challenge your own comfort zone.
Look for career advocates to help you navigate.

To be candid, no organization is perfect. But in my overall 15-year career, Vanguard is exceptional in many respects, both past and present. This also makes me hopeful for its future—and mine, too— and shows that a little initiative will continue to go a long way.

-Rebecca H.

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Vanguard’s annual Collaboration Summit

January 27, 2021/in Culture, Training & education /by marcin

Vanguard’s annual Collaboration Summit

At Vanguard, we host an annual event for all crew that focuses on the digital experience and promotes awareness of collaboration practices, tools, and experiences both inside and outside of the company. 2020 marked the fourth year that the Collaboration Summit was held. In prior years, the summit was a full day, in-person conference offering keynote presentations from external speakers, interactive technology-focused sessions and soft skills, an expo hall showcasing internal and external representatives, as well as networking opportunities. In 2020, we moved to a completely virtual event given the majority of crew were working from home. To reduce virtual meeting fatigue, the summit was split into two half days, with a morning agenda for day one and an afternoon agenda for day two.

What was presented at the 2020 event?

The theme of this year’s Collaboration Summit was “Working Together in Times of Uncertainty.” Keynote presentations were provided by executive leaders from Microsoft and Deloitte and focused on Microsoft’s PowerPlatform (low/no code technology) and working remotely in the ‘new normal,’ respectively. Various sessions were held during the two-day event. Topics included:

Back to basics using Microsoft Office 365
Using the accessibility options in Microsoft Office 365
Work-life balance during quarantine
Identifying your working style to work better with your team
Disconnecting from technology
Getting started with no code/low code solutions

Crew were provided with breaks throughout the day where they could participate in instructor-led chair yoga and/or browse our virtual 3D Expo Hall and speak to representatives via Microsoft Teams Meetings. If crew were not able to attend the event, all content and sessions were recorded and provided for them to view after the event was complete.

Crew feedback

Response to this year’s virtual event was overwhelmingly positive. Crew feedback was collected throughout the event for keynotes and sessions. Here are a few highlights:

“Great information, I LOVED the back and forth between the two presenters, as it showed connectedness and wisdom from both. I felt it was balanced in the time spent with the two people talking. The chat interaction was GREAT! I felt engaged and took a lot out of the presentation.”

“This was a great session to remind individuals they need to disconnect. The 100% remote working environment, coupled with the lessened number of activities makes it easy to forget to focus on work/life balance.”

“I thought this was a topic that isn’t covered very often (Accessibility as a Differentiator) and was thrilled to see it here. It was very informative, and I really enjoyed it.”

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