“Code is art,” a mentor once told me. Software engineering gives you immense creative freedom. And at Vanguard, teams have autonomy to choose how they want to build their systems and applications – from languages like Java, Typescript, and Python, to AWS Cloud features such as SageMaker, Aurora, and Lambda. You design, architect, and build infrastructure tailored to solve your problem. You fine tune the technologies with your code and make use of the conveniences and features. It’s impossible to be bored!

As a senior application engineer, my enthusiasm stems from the capable and contemporary technology we use to deliver solutions for our business, which translates to value for our clients.

A culture of engineering

Engineering culture on a diverse team, like ours, brings great collaboration and new ways of overcoming challenges.

We work in a high-energy environment with some of the aspects of a lean startup. Vanguard empowers engineers with the flexibility to pursue solutions while learning and experimenting at the same time. We’re also encouraged to explore internal tech opportunities, so you can rotate into the roles that interest you most.

Working in the cloud

Vanguard is modernizing legacy technology, migrating many applications to the public cloud. Particularly interesting are some of the AWS features used by my team, such as S3, SNS, SQS, Lambda, Step Functions, DynamoDB, ECS, Cloudformation, and Cloudwatch. Data encryption and security play major roles. Additionally, we design with high availability and disaster recovery in mind. You gain a sense of how meaningful the modernization goals are when an application can be retired, and the replacement performs better at a lower cost.

So, at Vanguard, “code is art” is a reality. When I started working at Vanguard as a junior developer, I had no experience with many of the technologies which were being used for the project I joined. I felt a little intimidated. However, the other developers and technical lead on my team got me up-to-speed and set me up for success. From my earliest days to today, my motivation to learn and navigate Vanguard’s vast technological landscape continues to fuel my passion. Vanguard strives to be the best place to work in IT – and you can feel it.

-Scott M.

Before starting my career at Vanguard as an application engineer, I had some preconceived notions that I would be siloed at a desk, head down, and coding. Much to my surprise, I could not have been more wrong about my typical day of work. While a career in software development does inherently entail screen time, it is complemented by collaboration within and across teams, which fosters an environment of endless learning, as well as interpersonal and professional growth. Despite what most people think, software development is an extremely team-oriented career. We work with a variety of mission-driven teams – gaining and sharing knowledge all along the way.

Vanguard encourages a cooperative culture by building teams of people with different backgrounds and experiences in technology and business. This diversity truly expands your knowledge base by encouraging multidimensional thinking and idea sharing – so we’re always learning from each other. The people who come from non-technical roles often lend creative solutions to the problems that had our technical team blocked. Sharing my technical knowledge with others is energizing and very fulfilling. For example, enabling business partners on the team to perform their own testing not only helps our efficiency, but lends to great comradery.

Making an Impact

As part of a product team, crew in technical roles can participate in all client-facing discussions. Offering ideas and hearing directly from our clients is rewarding as a developer. We get to see how the work we do makes a genuine impact on the clients we serve.

While developing a new feature, I sometimes find myself getting excited about an idea to improve the current design, so I will typically reach out via chat or even stop by our product owner’s desk for real-time feedback. I’ve gotten to build close relationships across Vanguard, that would not have been possible if I had been isolated from that part of the process.

I genuinely love coming to work and cannot imagine myself anywhere else. That’s due to the incredible teams I have been a part of, and Vanguard’s commitment to creating a collaborative environment for all crew – especially in the technology space!

— Laurel A.

Are you interested in Technology at Vanguard?

Hear directly from our tech crew here, and be sure to check out these opportunities.

“To me programming is more than an important practical art. It is also a gigantic undertaking in the foundations of knowledge.” – Grace Hopper

Going into the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) in 2021, I’d heard good things about the event, but I really didn’t know what to expect. For those who don’t know, the GHC is a chance for women in computing and technology to connect, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and learn from one another. After attending the conference, I felt that my views had been broadened to think beyond the immediate user group for a technology capability, and instead, to think about how technology impacts the cultural and community landscape.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was one of the first women to receive a doctorate degree in mathematics. She joined the Naval Reserve, while working as an assistant professor, during World War II to work in computing and support our wartime efforts. She was the first to devise the theory of machine-independent programming languages, with coding based on words that are compiled into machine language. The programming language that she created using this theory was later extended to create common business-oriented language (COBOL). For these accomplishments and more, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. All that to say, she’s an inspiration to many!

“Inspiring” is how I would also describe the speakers during last year’s GHC. Women from all different walks of life and career backgrounds reached an audience of all ages and career stages. I joined a variety of sessions and learned new ideas and insights. Here’s what happened in some of my favorite sessions:

• Joined a “Lighting Talk” on non-traditional paths in the technology industry that lead to working as a Product Owner, Scrum Master, or UX Designer.
• Received a fun “Peek Behind the Curtain,” where Disney shared the wide array of technology they use in their parks (apps, Magic Bands), on the web, in the theater (movies, Pixar, Marvel), and through streaming services (Disney/Disney+).
• Delved into the use of data science and mobile analysis to help in the fight against Covid-19.
• Heard from TikTok COO, Vanessa Pappas, on privacy considerations, how they learn from peers, as well as manage misinformation and hate speech.

While all the sessions were grounded in their use of technology, it was great to see how they touched on so many relevant and timely topics. GHC delivered on its promise to connect, celebrate, and learn! And after the celebration was over, I was granted access to recordings of all the great sessions and plan to continue learning how tech can be used to make a positive impact.

-Kimberly W.

Vanguard’s Global Risk and Security (GR&S) division enables the organization’s business strategy and protects clients, Vanguard assets, and data. The teams within the group leverage enterprise-wide insights, deep expertise, and trusted advice so that across Vanguard, leaders and crew drive faster, stronger, risk-informed decisions. In this blog, Principal and Chief Information Security Officer, Manish Nagar, shares insights into his personal career experiences, Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas, Texas, and why you might want to consider a career in Global Risk and Security.

My career journey at Vanguard
To start out, I have two pieces of advice for anyone reading this blog: 1) Take risks in your career – this means doing what may feel uncomfortable at times; and 2) Re-invest in and re-invent your skills multiple times throughout your career journey. You’ll see that throughout my career at Vanguard, I’ve been fortunate to have had various assignments and rotations across multiple departments and divisions. Taking risks and investing in my development has helped me become the business leader that I am today.

While growing up, I was always fascinated by the way things work, and I decided to pursue my undergrad in Engineering. When I launched my career at Vanguard in 2000, I started as part of the firm’s Technology Leadership Program (TLP), where I completed several rotations in IT that led to people leadership and program management opportunities. I also spent time in Vanguard’s Strategy, Product, Marketing, and Communications (SPMC) division, and the Investment Management division. In 2018, I joined the Global Risk & Security (GR&S) division as the Head of Risk for Europe in London, which my family and I thoroughly enjoyed, until I returned to the US to oversee the Global Investment Risk Management Group.

In 2021, I was asked to the take over the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) role and head up our Enterprise Security and Fraud (ES&F) subdivision within GR&S. The CISO role has been the most exciting and rewarding role within my career thus far. In ES&F, we have the responsibility of protecting the data and assets of our over 30 million clients. Our clients place their trust in Vanguard and expect us to safeguard their dreams for the future – like saving for retirement or their children’s or grandchildren’s education or down payment on a house. And what drives our success are the over 900 incredibly talented and dedicated individuals that are passionate about protecting the enterprise and our clients day in and day out.

Vanguard’s new presence in Dallas
We are so excited to be expanding our Enterprise Security and Fraud team’s presence within GR&S to Dallas. We know that Dallas is a hub with high growth and core strategic talent; this brings a great opportunity to create a team with new people and opportunities for career development. We will be hiring critical roles in Identity and Access Management, Cyber Security Operations, Global Security and Fraud, Global Enterprise Security and Security Architecture & Engineering.

Why Global Risk and Security?
We in GR&S are the trusted advisors that protect the pride of Vanguard. We are the best in-class security and fraud organization protecting our investors by staying ahead of evolving threats. We encompass a group of highly engaged, passionate, and diverse talent who are expected to continuously learn and develop in an ever-changing security landscape. Our crew are our greatest resource – by joining our team, you will build collaborative, long-term relationships and enjoy a suite of benefits that includes comprehensive health and wellness care, work-life balance, and an investment in your future at its core.

Click here to view our Global Risk and Security opportunities in Dallas!

To me, Autism Awareness Month is about recognizing the unique perspectives and abilities that various people are able to contribute that are not always recognized. Autism Awareness Month also serves as a time to reflect and consider ways to make both our workplace and world a more inclusive environment for those with Autism and related differences.

The Information Technology (IT) Inclusion Council is an internal volunteer group focused on making the IT environment at Vanguard more welcoming and inclusive of different backgrounds and perspectives. It often holds events to celebrate, recognize, and support different forms of diversity.

On April 1st, the IT Inclusion Council held an Autism Awareness panel featuring crew members from across Vanguard and an external speaker. The event provided a great opportunity for the panelists to draw upon their unique experiences to answer questions from the audience and share their stories.

During the event, some common characteristics and diagnoses with regards to Autism were shared. Chris L., the event panel moderator, summarizes the educational aspect of the event with the following quote, “It’s important for all of us to create an environment that is inclusive of people with autism, and that can start with autism education.” Also, when asked about how to respond to a new autism diagnosis based on her personal experience, panelist Julia S. responded, “Usually, people say they’re sorry. But this is a good thing. You know more [now]. Stuff is going to make sense now. You may have a sense of community now.”

I look forward to being involved with future IT Inclusion Council events focused on promoting the awareness of and celebrating various communities!

-Chris L.

More about the panelists:

Tom N. has been the headmaster at Hill Top Preparatory School for 14 years. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Hill Top serves bright, neurodiverse students in grades 5-12. Throughout students’ high school years, the school focuses on college preparation and experience in the world of employment.

Michel B. has worked for Vanguard for 16 years and is an IT assurance advisor in Global Resource Strategy and Controls (GRSC). He lives in Pennsylvania, with his wife, daughter, and adult son, who is diagnosed with moderate autism. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, and educating his friends and colleagues on autism.

April D. is a senior project manager on the Sourcing Governance Team in GRSC. She came to Vanguard in 2016 through the MBA Development Program. Before joining Vanguard, April earned an M.B.A. from Indiana University, a J.D. from Ohio State, and practiced law for ten years. April lives in North Carolina, with her husband and two children, both of whom are on the autism spectrum.

Tracie L. has been at Vanguard since 1998 and has worked in many different technology roles. She currently works in Global Investment & Financial Systems, supporting Corporate Finance on the Oracle Cloud Transformation Program. Tracie grew up and lives in Pennsylvania, with her three sons. Her middle son is autistic.

Julia S. is an infrastructure engineer within Workplace Services in Global Technology Operations. She’s been with Vanguard since 2018 and is passionate about data and automation. She lives in a 145-year-old rowhouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, three blocks from her fiancée. Julia is an autistic mom of an autistic teenager. Their all-autistic household has strong feelings about autistic representation in media and autistic self-advocacy (“don’t talk about us without us”).

Vanguard supports the long-term career growth of our crew through an internal mobility process, as well as mentorships and upskilling resources. I have the privilege of leading a Talent Acquisition team of internal recruiters in Human Resources who are dedicated to delivering a transparent and equitable hiring process for our crew. In this blog, I’ll be sharing insights into our offerings, as well as feedback from key stakeholders.

A look at internal recruiting
Internal roles are posted to our enterprise career site, and recruiters facilitate the process by ensuring all applicants are reviewed and calibrated, and that candidates interviewed receive feedback. Further, recruiters consult interview teams on the importance of diversity, awareness of unconscious bias, and why strong interview feedback is critical for career mobility. Our Talent Acquisition team fills more than 2,500 job opportunities a year through crew mobility and advancement.

“In my role as an internal recruiter, I am fortunate to experience firsthand the myriad of career opportunities available to Vanguard crew. Playing a part of the career development process is such a gratifying and meaningful aspect of my job. Vanguard truly encourages and supports career mobility and I am proud to contribute to that effort.” – Kris C., Recruiter

“The managers whom I’ve interviewed with have been very receptive to follow up conversations about my interviews and how and where I can improve. These conversations are the best way for me to fully understand and learn where my opportunities for growth are. Interview feedback has been incredibly helpful and has allowed me to land the job I’m applying for.” – Sam R., Internal candidate

Development opportunities through Crew Resource Groups
My team has a front row seat to observe crew investing in their professional development through enterprise resources and supports them in taking actions that will enable them to advance in their careers. Crew participate in our Crew Resource Groups (CRGs), such as Leadership and Engagement for Asian Professionals (LEAP), Open Professional Engagement Network (OPEN), Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA), Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success (WILS), and Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN), as well as our Vets Connect group, to receive 1-on-1 mentoring, coaching, and business training. Crew leverage CRG opportunities to support their Vanguard and local communities and grow professionally.

“I am a member of the Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN), one of the many crew resource groups available that fosters inclusivity and career progression. Through VBPN, I was assigned a mentor, a senior leader who helped me increase my networking opportunities. Through her guidance, I was able to navigate interviews and land my current role. There are a lot of CRG collaborations across the different groups, which creates a broader network for crew mobility.” – Agnes E., CRG mentee

“I joined multiple CRGs soon after beginning my Vanguard career. I quickly discovered that the mentorship programs are a wonderful way for new employees to forge long-term bonds with more tenured employees. I was grateful to be partnered with a mentor in VBPN and a mentor in WILS. Both mentors have been instrumental in my career growth and have provided thoughtful guidance, support and friendship throughout my time at Vanguard.” – Tammarra W., CRG mentor

Our annual Career Expo
In addition to the opportunities mentioned above, the internal recruiting team recently partnered with our CRG community to host Vanguard’s third annual internal Career Expo, which went 100% virtual for the first time in 2020. The expo featured ways to fuel your career during a season of change with over 60 virtual booths. During the event, crew were invited to build business acumen, network virtually, and develop skills in relation to career mobility. Over 2,700 crew registered to attend the Vanguard Career Expo and enjoyed learning about job opportunities, as well as Vanguard upskilling resources.

“The Global Risk & Security (GR&S) division has gone through a transformation over the past two years in order to ensure that the risk management support we provide to our various business lines keeps up with the dynamic and evolving industry in which we operate, and that we continue to protect and steward client assets. The career expo provided a fantastic opportunity for me as a leader to share insights into the work happening every day in GR&S, the shifting risk landscape, and how our crew are partnering with the businesses to meet strategic goals. Crew were able to attend overview sessions to learn more about the division and identify potential career areas of interest. We are always looking to hire talented crew into GR&S!” – Marissa B., Business lead

Resources for enhancing your skills
As for upskilling resources, Vanguard recently introduced Degreed to crew. Degreed is Vanguard’s learning experience platform and is a “one stop learning shop” that fits into the flow of normal work. With Degreed, crew get smarter in skills aligned to their career path with seamless integration of articles, books, videos, and courses to build needed skills for professional growth and expertise. Degreed is one of many Vanguard tools used to support crew in achieve their personal and professional goals.

“I really like how Degreed integrates a lot of sources and platforms (Harvard publishing podcasts, articles from industry publications, etc.). I already had followed the Harvard Business Review (HBR) Women at Work podcast, so having it in the learning system to check off as a learning task was awesome. Additionally, it allows crew to consider the other learnings that they may already be doing outside the traditional learning platforms.” – Jasmine T., Crew user of Degreed

“Vanguard is dedicated to providing a variety of development opportunities for crew at all levels. From industry certifications and advanced degree programs, to training classes and job rotations, I have personally benefitted from the development offerings. As a business leader who recently transitioned to a new domain, Degreed provided a roadmap for me as I worked to quickly increase acumen in my new role through internal thought leadership, external podcasts and articles, and traditional training classes.” – Marissa B., Leader user of Degreed

Come launch a career at Vanguard and meet my team in your advancement journey!

– Chelsea M.

Want to learn more? Take a few moments and watch this video where five crew talk through their career progression at Vanguard.

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.

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.

In this blog, we sit down with Kelly M. and Elisha V., two crew members who serve different areas of the Vanguard business and received a professional development opportunity through one of our employee resource groups. Kelly is a Senior Research Associate in our Fixed Income Group, where she analyzes municipal bonds and works with the trading and portfolio management teams. Elisha is an IT Delivery Manager within our 401(k) Institutional Systems division, where she leads IT teams across our Pennsylvania and North Carolina offices. This is their story:

When thinking about where you want to launch or continue your career, you can be assured that at Vanguard, an emphasis is placed on professional development. Combined, we have been at Vanguard for nearly twenty years. During our tenure, we have both received support in various ways to help further advance our skill set. There is one development opportunity that we pursued, however, that stands out from all the rest. Through the Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success (WILS), one of our five Crew Resource Groups, we applied and were selected to participate in an advanced leadership development program for women. In addition to collaborating with female talent from across the enterprise and having a dedicated leadership coach consultant, the program presented us with several frameworks and tools that prepared us to handle a number of scenarios that we could potentially face throughout our careers. Examples include shaping the way we make decisions, preparing and executing courageous conversations with crew, reframing the dialogue of our inner critic, and recognizing unconscious biases.

The experience couldn’t have come at a better time in our professions. Elisha had just started a new managerial position and Kelly, who had always been an individual contributor, aspired to obtain a formal leadership role. Although we support different business areas in unique fields, we are both women within male-dominated industries. We were both successful within our careers at this point and were excited to learn ways in which we could enhance our skills and achieve professional goals going forward. We also quickly realized during the program that what got us here would not get us there, with there being where we envisioned our careers going and how we saw ourselves reaching our full potential. This specific program changed our perspectives on what that means and gave us the resources to clearly define who we are and what we stand for.

Identifying the direction we wanted to steer our careers, in addition to using learnings centered on how to plan and execute courageous conversations, continue to stand out as key takeaways from the program. We had the chance to practice these exchanges, and the more we practiced, the more we realized how impactful it was when developing others. Moreover, taking on courageous conversations is so imperative to improving a challenging situation, and we are now better equipped to handle them. Lastly, we received helpful reminders that something as simple as making the invisible, visible, can be a powerful mind shift that will lead you to a more successful outcome.

The advanced leadership development program for women has provided us with more than either of us expected. We are more prepared and confident in navigating our careers for having taken part in this initiative. Again, this is just one example of the many development opportunities offered at Vanguard.

More about the authors:

Kelly joined Vanguard directly out of college in 2007 and has been working in the Investment Management Group for the past three years. Kelly graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Elisha has been at Vanguard since 2012. She launched her career as a developer and shortly after moved into a technical lead role. Following these experiences, she transitioned to a project management position that gave her the opportunity to be a technical relationship manager for a large 401(k) client and now as a delivery manager, supporting cross-divisional capabilities and relationships for Vanguard Advice for Institutional. Prior to joining Vanguard, Elisha worked at various startups and financial companies also within the engineering and technology capacity for four years.