HBCUs alums find success at Capital One

Capital One is home to many associates who have found professional growth and community after graduating from a historically Black college or university. Discover how one graduate, Nyla, created her life at Capital One.

As a student at Spelman College, one of a number of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), Nyla interned twice at Capital One. She experienced the work of two different lines of business—Commercial Banking Development and Treasury Management—and had encouraging leaders who supported her career growth.

Nyla wanted to continue her career trajectory with a full-time position at Capital One as she entered her senior year. It was here that she felt the same amount of community involvement, professional development and mentorship opportunities as she did at Spelman.

“Spelman encouraged my passions and interests, and I was looking for an employer that would value me just as much,” said Nyla, who is now a Principal Recruiter on our S&G Analytics team. “I found that support at Capital One. They want me to succeed in all I do.”

A lesson in finding your authentic self

Nyla, who grew up attending predominantly white schools, was tired of being the exception. The only one. The token Black woman. She chose Spelman because of her family’s legacy attending the school, the college’s rich traditions and to be surrounded by other ambitious Black women.

Attending Spelman helped Nyla overcome her feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She didn’t have to question the legitimacy of her achievements because there were thousands of other Black women around her.

“I didn’t have to worry that my achievements were linked to the fact that I was the only Black person in the room,” Nyla said. “Spelman was a place where I could learn who I was as a human being. I came to Capital One with confidence in myself and my abilities.”

Setting up colleagues for success

Nyla is passionate about helping associates who are starting their career journeys with Capital One. She remembers what it was like to be a student applying for jobs and meeting with dozens of recruiters. So, when she meets with students, she’s always quick to empathize with what they’re going through.

She recently held an open meeting with students interested in careers at Capital One. Rather than using the time to only inundate them with information about Capital One’s Student and Grad programs, she asked them how they were doing in school and gave them gift cards to enjoy a meal while studying for midterm exams.

She wants Capital One’s potential future associates who are at HBCUs to know they’ll find a similar tight-knit, supportive community at the company as they did in school.

"People at Capital One helped me be my best self when I was starting here," Nyla said. "Nothing is more rewarding than being able to do the same for someone else.”