What I’ve Learned From Pursuing 3 Different Careers at the Same Company

Project Manager Alexis Cady, now based in Irvine, CA, first found Capital Group at a college career fair. Little did she know, it’d turn out to be so much more than a “starter” job — she’s still growing her career at the financial services firm 13 years later. 

Cady started in client services — learning the ins and outs of the company to answer client questions — before moving to work on the Capital Group websites and discovering her interest in project management. She says one reason she loves her work at Capital Group is that her interests and development goals are always taken into consideration. Cady’s transitioned off teams without feeling guilty to seize a new opportunity within the organization and she’s had managers advocate for her to take the projects that spark her interest. She couldn’t imagine getting that level of support anywhere else. 

Capital Group is Hiring! Browse Opportunities. 

But there are several other reasons Cady loves her job at Capital Group, including the things she’s learned about career development by sticking within one company and one industry for over a decade. She told us more about her career journey and the people who made it possible. Then, we dove into her best advice for finding a career that allows you to keep discovering more about yourself and the work you love. 

How did you find Capital Group?

I met Capital Group at a career fair during my senior year in college. Before I attended, I was talking with a friend and mentor at the time about the companies that were going to be present. She highly recommended I meet with Capital Group. Previously, she recruited for some of our temporary roles in Brea. She said it was a company that I could grow with. It's not surprising that Capital Group had one of the longest lines of soon-to-be grads waiting for their chance to share a resume and chat with a recruiter. I'm so glad I was able to connect with one as well. After a very long interview process, I was offered the role and started about a month after graduation.

What about Capital Group stood out to you and made you want to join?  

The culture didn't seem like a statement but rather something that was truly integral to the company. That proved to be true time and time again throughout my career. For example, a few years back, I was transitioning between projects and discussing the next opportunity with my manager. There was a major initiative under way to support some legislative changes and they needed help. At the same time, there was an upcoming transformation program that better aligned with my development objectives. We decided it would be best to wait a few weeks for the transformation program opportunity, as it better fit my development objectives. This decision exemplifies how Capital Group embodies our company's core values and supports its culture by making decisions that are the best for its associates.

What’s something you think most people don’t know about Capital Group that you think they should? 

Every associate knows we have a collaborative culture, but I've experienced an important distinction at Capital Group where all voices are heard. That doesn't mean we all have to agree. There is power in the collective and support for each other. If all voices are heard, the decision or outcome will be able to change along the way for the better. 

Tell me about the roles that you’ve held at your company, as well as your current one. What about this role most excites you?  

I've essentially had three careers at Capital Group (so far!). Each was built off of experience and skills I gained along the way.

I started in Client Services and worked there for about four years where I learned a tremendous amount about the company and our funds and offerings. I participated in multiple specialty trainings, and especially loved my focus in our 529 CollegeAmerica program and website support. There, I helped callers when they ran into issues on our websites and built relationships with our technology counterparts to escalate customer issues.

This led to a testing internship for our websites and ultimately to my next role as a website business tester. I worked on projects as we enhanced, redesigned and launched new websites. This created opportunities to coordinate our team’s day-to-day work and some project work. It piqued my interest in project management, which helped me transition into a role in our Enterprise Project Management Office, where I've worked for the last five years. As a project manager, I've helped lead large, multi-year change initiatives in our retirement plan services and investment operations departments. I've met so many great people and feel that I'm consistently challenged, growing and excited to come to work!

What’s been your favorite aspect since joining?

I've been provided countless development opportunities both inside and outside of my "day job." One of the most memorable was with our Investment Technology Women's Connect  group. They asked me to moderate a panel discussing women empowering women. Our panelists included Julie St. John and Jody Jonsson. Not only did I get to work with them to prepare for the session, but the opportunity provided me exposure to two incredible women in our organization that my day-to-day activities would not typically. I loved that experience and learned so much from it!

Photo Courtesy of Capital Group.