Tech associates use Capital One resources to grow

Andrew joined Capital One in 2011 as a business systems analyst. He loved the technical side of the job—coding and using data—which prompted his colleagues and friends to encourage him to learn more about software engineering.

So Andrew took the leap and invested in himself, upskilling using a variety of resources that Capital One makes available to full-time associates, in combination with mentoring from a lead software engineer. He pivoted his career and grew into his current position as a senior director of software engineering in Card Tech.

“There’s a certain level of investment in people at Capital One,” Andrew said. “The company is taking you and your future seriously, and they want to support you.”

Capital One supports associates on their learning journey and in their career growth. From working on new products and platforms to gain knowledge and new experiences, to immersing themselves in educational programs and mentorship opportunities, our associates have access to collaborative experiences that encourage growth and self-discovery at every stage of their career. 

Prioritizing learning and development

Since Capital One is always looking for new ways to innovate across the financial industry, tech associates are encouraged to discuss their growth with their managers while also having the bandwidth to pursue their goals and learn about cutting-edge tech.

One popular resource is Tech College, Capital One’s learning platform created in-house that offers thousands of free courses for developing new tech skills. 

“We’re encouraged to learn about newer technologies, and get certifications in things like Amazon Web Services (AWS),” Andrew said. “It makes it fun to be a software engineer at Capital One.”

Associates can learn from Gosus, tech experts at Capital One who share their knowledge via Tech College. Mario, a Senior Distinguished Engineer, has benefited from taking courses, as well as volunteered to teach his expertise on the platform as a Gosu.

He’s gone on to mentor some of his students in his Tech College classes, and leads small group circles within Capital One, with the goal of developing and retaining top talent.

“Capital One rewards talent and sees the great potential in investing in our tech associates” Mario said. “Our impact can be much more meaningful than lines of code.”

Mentorship and connection

Tech associates can find potential mentors and build their network through internal and external events. A favorite is the summits hosted by Capital One’s tech-first Business Resource Groups (BRG): Hispanics in Tech, Women in Tech, Blacks in Tech and Equality Allies. Associates gather to discuss their projects, build their network and uplift the community.

For Jaime, a senior distinguished engineer in enterprise tech, the Tech BRG summits are an opportunity to learn more about emerging technologies and connect with fellow associates.

“They’re very rewarding events and they really maximize the spirit of our community,” Jaime said.

Supporting overall wellbeing

Investing in yourself means investing in more than just careers. Capital One provides resources for tech associates to try out new hobbies, find connections and build their skills. The Tech BRGs offer casual events for associates to get together. Additionally, the Distinguished Engineers community welcomes each associate to participate in Slack channels and Zoom calls to meet other engineers.

“There’s tremendous opportunities to be in touch and collaborate.  It's a very closely-knit community,” Jaime said.

Associates can build connections and gain hobbies by participating in programs like the Art Program and Community Impact and Investment. Tech associates can also attend talks and lessons on subjects not related to technology, including mindfulness. 

Being a tech associate at Capital One is more than just working with innovative technology—it’s growing and evolving in your career every step of the way.

“At Capital One, I was able to realize my potential and really flourish,” Andrew said.