From leading scrum teams that develop digital client experience technologies to overseeing the pricing and economics for all our enterprise mutual funds and ETFs. That’s not your typical career trajectory but is emblematic of Vanguard’s culture to provide unique experiences to leaders in unorthodox ways. Although many of my career experiences have seemingly little in common, each role offered learnings, insights, and perspectives that can shape how I approach decision-making in subsequent roles. Within Finance, I’ve quickly realized both the opportunity that this division provides in being able to drive significant enterprise impact as well as the unique and indirect preparedness that prior experiences have provided to help me contribute to that impact.

One part of my unique journey is that I left Vanguard for about five years. I first departed to pursue business school for two years, and then upon graduation, spent a few years as a management consultant. The consulting experience had three primary benefits for me: 1) the pace of work and the approach to problem solving developed my managerial abilities; 2) rotating to a different engagement every few months with a new client, team, and project, taught me to quickly synthesize the complex; and, 3) being away from Vanguard allowed me to fully appreciate the power of this company’s mission, purpose, and culture.

Although the first and second benefits have been instrumental in helping me add value across various parts of the organization, the last benefit is the most important. It’s easy to take for granted what this company stands for and why it is different. We hear the buzzwords often (e.g., investor-owned), but those words’ meanings resonated most powerfully for me while having the opportunity to work at and with other companies in the industry. I was able to experience first-hand how ownership conflicts can trickle down into impacting all facets of an organization – from culture to decision-making. Counterintuitively, being away from Vanguard made it apparent how special Vanguard is – the people that comprise this organization and the purpose on which it rests. As Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley has said, “helping people achieve a better financial future is not a secondary goal for us. It is the only goal.”

In my current role within Finance, I am able to directly witness how our unique ownership structure mechanically works from a fund expense and price standpoint, and in turn understand how we are able to return so much value to investors. The “Vanguard effect” did not happen by accident, and I now own this process for all of our funds. These decisions have wide-spanning implications on our enterprise revenue, investor savings, brand, competitive positioning, among other factors – it’s both an awesome and humbling responsibility. I’m excited about the opportunity that I have to help investors as a crew member within Finance, and I encourage you to reflect on how your own diverse experiences knit together in a way that makes you a more capable agent in delivering Vanguard’s mission to our investors.

– Brian D.

When her sister was interested in Nintendo, Barbies, and other toys as a child, Investment Management Group Principal and Global Head of ETF Capital Markets and Broker & Index Relations Janel Jackson was drawn to numbers. “My dad had Value Line binders full of individual securities, pricing, and recommendations on stocks that intrigued me,” Janel said. “My sister quizzed me on math problems before she let me join her in playing video games!” Janel’s passion for figures and finance helped her advance through college, graduate school, and her career and earned her a seat on the Women in ETFs U.S. board.

Women in ETFs (WE) is a global nonprofit open to everyone in the ETF industry, with a mission of developing talent, honoring the achievements of women in the industry, and investing in the ETF community. Vanguard is a gold sponsor and has an internal steering committee focused on maximizing our engagements and benefits from WE, as well as helping to create a sense of community among crew who are members.

Janel attributes her achievement to a long-term focus on the investment industry as well as on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. One of her goals as a board member is to widen the scale of possibilities for WE members.

“I enjoy helping people discover ways to develop themselves and broaden their networks,” Janel said. Throughout her Vanguard career, she has prioritized helping new and tenured crew members broaden and deepen their ties with one another.

Vanguard is a strong supporter of this organization and its mission. Membership among Vanguard employees has grown to almost 600.

The value of a first impression
When Janel was pursuing a career with investment management companies, committing to one that sustains a diverse culture was a priority for her. She vividly remembers one career fair where Vanguard stood out.

“I met Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis and, at the time, he was running the U.S. bond index desk,” Janel said. “I hadn’t seen a lot of African Americans in money management, and to see him in the role knowing the mission and values of this organization, I was automatically attracted to working here.

“You hear firms talking about diversity and inclusion, and then you see a room of white males. Does this company really care about diversity and inclusion? When I met Greg, I thought, ‘Wow, they’re serious. I want to be a part of that.’”

Connecting and growing
Janel became involved with Women in ETFs in 2017. After getting to know other women in the group and then attending a conference a few years later, she was inspired to build her ETF knowledge and broaden her network.

“Hearing female speakers at the conference talk about their tenure and path sounded very similar to mine, and many of them were around since the inception of ETFs,” Janel said. “Even though they were working at different firms, seeing how connected they were and the knowledge around the ETF vehicle made me want to get even more involved.”

Janel will continue to advocate for a diverse mindset, equity in opportunities for everyone, and inclusivity. “There’s always going to be more than we can do,” she said. “We should all be getting ahead together.”

As the granddaughter of an engineering professor and nursing teacher, education has always been top of mind for me; it’s integral to who I am as a person and my family values. My dream career throughout childhood was to become an art teacher; visions of paint splattered denim overalls and school murals of ‘Starry Night’ fueled the many educational pursuits of my youth, leading to my choice of a small, creative liberal arts school for college.

Fast forward several years later… Imagine my surprise to be working at a financial services company! Armed with a dual degree in Art History and French, I remember anxiously Google searching, “What is a mutual fund?” prior to my Vanguard interview. That day, I was pleasantly surprised to hear my interviewer share that, “We have world class professionals here to teach you finance. What we’re looking for are candidates who know how to speak to people.” With that comment in mind, I took to the familiar task of learning. Studying for my Series 7 and 63 licenses were the first requisites prior to starting my first role – a challenge that while at first intimidating, ultimately fueled my desire to further my acumen in the investment industry. Shortly thereafter, I pursued my Certified Financial Planner® designation in order to further my credentials and to feel confident in the complex tax conversations I was having with clients. Together, these steppingstones culminated in my current role as the Service Recovery Supervisor in our Education Savings Contact Center, where I am able to continue learning, growing, and investigating unique client situations daily.

This position also gives me the distinct pleasure of serving in a role with a mission that resonates with me deeply: to improve the lives of our account owners with investments for education. One of the most common investment goals (second only to retirement), is saving for education, and an ambition that I connect to on a personal level. And though very different from where I envisioned myself, I love coming to work every day to help resolve issues for those seeking to meet their education goals – whether saving for college, looking to help a grandchild through their K-12 schooling, or even chipping away at student loan debt.

This year my husband and I welcomed a beautiful baby boy, and with eyes to the horizon, we opened our own 529 account for him in celebration. The balance is still modest for the moment, but I feel confident given the same reassurances we give our account owners day-in and day-out: every little bit will count, and we have the benefit of time on our side.

— Lauren H-F.

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!

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

When I was a young girl, I immigrated to the United States. My mom wanted to build a new and better life for herself. And though she was suddenly exposed to better economic opportunities, I watched as she struggled with managing her personal finances. This led me down a path of wanting to learn how to manage my money responsibly, and unlike her, I had the opportunity to study personal finance in high school and university.

Even with these advantages, I still didn’t know how to invest. After my formal education, I was simply trying to survive. I entered the workforce with student loans during the Great Recession of 2008. It wasn’t until 2013, when I became part of a dual income household with a full-time job, that I was finally able to pay off my debt and establish financial stability.

Eventually, there was enough cash in the bank that my husband and I started exploring ways to make it grow. That’s when I stumbled upon a blog that was geared toward investing for millennials. It explained the four percent rule, as well as how someone could save enough money, watch it grow through investment options, and find financial independence. This was my first experience learning about brokerage firms, and the blog specifically suggested Vanguard as their institution. This was all new to me, and even though I didn’t really know what I was doing, I opened my first account with Vanguard in 2018.

In 2020, my husband and I sold our home and began to consolidate our assets. We opened a joint brokerage account and signed up for Personal Advisor Services. At this point, I began to wonder how Vanguard was managing our money, so I decided to go straight to the source and applied to work here.

Even though I didn’t have a background in finance, Vanguard took a chance on me. While I studied for my licensing exams, they paid me a full-time salary with benefits, which showed me they valued my time.

I received training for each new role, was provided coaches and support throughout the process, and during the busiest time of year, the organization offered strong incentives.

Further, among four of my team leaders, three have been women. Vanguard is intentionally creating an inclusive and diverse atmosphere that has traditionally been dominated by men. I believe it is breaking barriers for everyday Americans just like me, by offering us a seat at the table.

Working at Vanguard has given me access to a world most people aren’t exposed to. It has given me access to a language in personal finance most people aren’t comfortable speaking, and this experience has built confidence and empowered me to help others.

Working in the financial industry has its challenges, but it can be rewarding to speak with clients and listen to their stories. Moreover, it has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own experiences, and I feel excited to provide our investors with information that will help guide them as they begin their own financial journeys.
— Stella O.

Interested in a career in Client Services? View our Client Relationship Associate opportunities today!

Want to hear from more crew? Please check out our first and second installments of this series.

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

During a career fair at the University of Utah, I spoke with a recruiter who shared that Vanguard appreciates candidates with diverse backgrounds who are willing to take on fresh and challenging opportunities. Even though I was scared, I took a chance and passed along my resume. The rest is history.

In February, I will celebrate my six-year work anniversary with Vanguard and I couldn’t be more proud. This company has allowed me to develop myself professionally in ways I could have never imagined. For instance, I have served our clients on the front lines, taking calls and guiding them through investment decisions. Further, I led a team in our Client Care group and most recently, I joined the recruiting team in our Human Resources division. My position as a recruiter has truly brought me full circle, as I always hoped I would have the chance to serve in a role that is so integral in many people’s careers.

How ballet helped me in my professional career

Ballet taught me many things, but I have highlighted a few that have particularly helped me flourish:

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

How I’ve used my story to help others

The most rewarding part of my role as a recruiter is connecting with people who are thinking about a career at Vanguard. I want every potential candidate to know that we value their unique background. I love being able to share my own experience with others in hopes that it might inspire them or give them the confidence to take a leap.

-Allison G.

Note: Photo courtesy of Nathan Sweet photography

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.

Each year we’re amazed by the tremendous contributions of our College to Corporate interns. Our goal is to provide extensive training, real-world experience, hands-on opportunities, and mentorship from professionals. In this video, you can hear directly from the interns about their summer of learning, teamwork, camaraderie, and volunteering.

Interested in exploring our internship opportunities? Click here.

The Vanguard 2021 College to Corporate Interns have nearly finished their virtual time at Vanguard this summer. They’ve brought fresh ideas to the table while living #LifeatVanguard through teamwork, volunteering, camaraderie, and learning. In this blog, our interns provide advice for candidates and discuss their journey to Vanguard.

What advice do you have for students or entry-level candidates who are interested in Vanguard?

Make connections as often as you can. You never know when someone will be able to help you in the future, and hopefully you will be able to do the same for them. Making a positive impact on your peers goes a long way! – Christopher L.

Connect and message recruiters on LinkedIn! When I discovered the Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP), I messaged the current ELDP cadre and nearly every recruiter on LinkedIn. Not all of them saw my message—but many did. They were so helpful and even recommended the College to Corporate Internship that I hadn’t known about. – Ryan M.

Be interested, be humble, and be authentic. – David D.

My favorite advice during my recruitment process with Vanguard was two-pronged. One was the fundamental principle of the fiduciary mission: It’s always all about the client. Our purpose is to help clients in any way they need. The second often goes hand in hand with the first: Absorb as much information as possible from as many resources as you can. A huge, unique part of Vanguard as an institution is the wealth of information available to this wonderful peer community of financial advisors. These resources are meant to help advisors help other advisors, and in turn, to help those advisors help clients. – Mattia A.

If you’re interested in Vanguard, I would definitely recommend reaching out to any of the crew! Everyone here is welcoming and willing to talk with you. They’re all super understanding and candid about their experiences, which is very beneficial when you are trying to find a firm out of college. – Rebecca C.

If you’re interested in Vanguard, reach out to crew members whose jobs you’re interested in! Almost everyone here will be eager to set time aside to tell you about their job and give you tips about working at Vanguard. – Ethan R.

Apply early! Reach out to Vanguard employees to build relationship and a network even before you need a job. – Julia K.

Summarize your journey to Vanguard.

The main thing that attracted me to Vanguard is the culture. The idea of putting others first is present both internally and externally—making sure that our clients as well as our colleagues are provided with the resources they need to be successful. – Christopher L.

I was attracted to Vanguard because of how my family and I have been treated as clients. I want to work for a company that cares for the people it serves and has a strong sense of obligation to those it serves. – Ryan M.

I was primarily drawn to Vanguard because its reputation and mission are unmatched within the financial services industry. Since 1975, our leaders have made every major and minor decision with the best interests of our investors at the forefront. – David D.

For as long as I’ve envisioned my career path, I’ve been passionate about people and about investments. Vanguard has gifted me the opportunity to learn to help the average investor figure out how to send their kids to college, to retire, and to achieve their personal idea of optimal return on life —with a minor in portfolio implementation. 🙂 – Mattia A.

Vanguard came to an event at my school, and the people were so kind and welcoming. They talked about the positive culture and inclusivity at the firm as well as the focus on community, so I knew I had to apply. – Rebecca C.

In my freshman year of college, I met a crew member and he spoke so highly of Vanguard that I scheduled a visit to the Malvern campus for a career trip. That day I learned all about Vanguard’s culture and people and concluded that I wanted to work there. – Ethan R.

During my freshman year of college, I was given the opportunity to attend an Explore Day. During that experience I met with so many wonderful crew who had only good things to say about Vanguard. – Julia K.

Applications are now open for next summer!

Before beginning my technology career at Vanguard, I attended my first immersive conference that celebrated women in technology. The Grace Hopper Celebration is a tribute to Grace Hopper, the aptly named ‘Grandmother of Cobol’, for her pioneering work in the computer programming field. She was truly an inspiration to women and scientists for her innovations and contributions.

I was accustomed to attending lectures at the University of Wisconsin where the number of females in the room, even in a class of two-hundred-fifty, could often be counted on two hands. My university had over forty-five-thousand students and computer science was the largest major, of which women made up only 13% of the total. Women were even less represented in my computer engineering courses. I was excited to make valuable connections with women at the conference in Orlando, Florida.

Surprisingly, my first connection happened on my flight in. I sat next to a woman from Australia who was also attending the conference. After talking with her for a while I discovered she had been a software engineer for over ten years! It was a great start. When I arrived, I was surprised to see that the conference was the exact opposite of my college experience. I was in awe of the sheer number of women who filled up the seven-million square foot conference center. The conference had events for everyone including a three-day career fair, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions to learn about specific technologies. During the career fair portion, I met Vanguard and immediately felt the enthusiasm from the women at the table. This ultimately led to me accepting an offer to join the firm.

Here are my key takeaways from the conference:

1. Empowerment from women supporting women
Before attending this event, I couldn’t imagine the concept of more than twenty-thousand like-minded women coming together to celebrate technology. I hadn’t met such a strong support group since my undergraduate studies, when I joined a computer science club for women. I learned a lot from the women I met in those safe and supportive environments. It feels empowering to hear about both the positive and negative experiences of women navigating their own careers in the technology industry.

2. Taking chances can pay off
Talking to a new company can be daunting, especially when walking into a session where unfamiliar people are discussing foreign concepts. It can even be scary to try and get tickets for the Grace Hopper Celebration! Although it can be unnerving, it is important to take chances and learn as much as possible in those busy three days. I have found that some of the most uncomfortable moments I put myself in were rewarded through the people I met and the opportunities I received.

3. There is a lot of room to have fun in computer science
It’s called the Grace Hopper Celebration, after all! The three day event was truly festive and left me with a smile across my face the entire time. I was surrounded by friendly people, fun events and exclusive, company-hosted social gatherings. Some of my favorite parts worth noting include eating crepes under a Ferris wheel, testing out virtual reality games, and printing out my Snapchat bitmoji on a tote bag. There are many chances to connect with others and share experiences.

I am proud to work at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion in their recruitment strategy. Vanguard’s commitment to maintaining a diverse and competent team of engineers is apparent in the environment I’ve worked in since joining the staff one year ago. Not only are women accepted here, they are given an opportunity to excel and drive others to succeed as well. I have been fortunate to be led and challenged by two female technical managers during my tenure.

Being a visible female role model in the technology field is a very important aspect of my career. I find so much meaning in establishing relationships that empower other young women to pursue the field of their choice. I think it is invaluable to have someone to look up to who was once on the same path that you are paving. Vanguard has really motivated me by giving me the opportunity to serve as a role model to other women in the industry. I am very excited to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration again this year, to represent all the women in Vanguard technology and to meet other talented women, as well.

-Jessica T.