Why more meaningful work leads to professional and personal growth

As people leave their jobs in droves, companies offering purposeful careers and inclusive cultures will reap new recruits.
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The “Great Resignation” is showing no signs of slowing down. According to a recent survey, almost one in five global employees say they are likely to switch to a new employer within the next year. But job seekers aren't only looking for greater flexibility and better work-life balance.

The pandemic was a “reset” button for many Americans, and a range of surveys show this has led to a shift from simply pursuing pay raises to

reassessing priorities and seeking more meaningful work. This larger sea change has been termed the “Great Re-evaluation” — and experts say employers should take note.

“Overall, there appears to be a long-term shift on the part of workers toward more transparent, collaborative, flexible and inclusive workplaces,” said Dan Cornfield, a Professor of Sociology at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University with expertise in the world of work.

When people find those qualities in a workplace — and so, in turn, experience a more meaningful career — it pays off for employee and employer alike, Cornfield added. “They’re able to lead happier home and family lives, as well as be productive in a way that benefits everyone in the workplace,” he said.

As different industries navigate the “Great Re-evaluation,” some companies are finding their longstanding efforts to create meaningful work are putting them ahead of the curve.

At Capital One, which has long stated its mission to “change banking for good,” the proof that meaningful work leads to both professional and personal growth is clear in employees’ stories.

The “Great Resignation” is showing no signs of slowing down. According to a recent survey, almost one in five global employees say they are likely to switch to a new employer within the next year. But job seekers aren't only looking for greater flexibility and better work-life balance.

The pandemic was a “reset” button for many Americans, and a range of surveys show this has led to a shift from simply pursuing pay raises to reassessing priorities and seeking more meaningful work. This larger sea change has been termed the “Great Re-evaluation” — and experts say employers should take note.

“Overall, there appears to be a long-term shift on the part of workers toward more transparent, collaborative, flexible and inclusive workplaces,” said Dan Cornfield, a Professor of Sociology at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University with expertise in the world of work.

When people find those qualities in a workplace — and so, in turn, experience a more meaningful career — it pays off for employee and employer alike, Cornfield added. “They’re able to lead happier home and family lives, as well as be productive in a way that benefits everyone in the workplace,” he said.

As different industries navigate the “Great Re-evaluation,” some companies are finding their longstanding efforts to create meaningful work are putting them ahead of the curve.

At Capital One, which has long stated its mission to “change banking for good,” the proof that meaningful work leads to both professional and personal growth is clear in employees’ stories.

Real people, real journeys

The executive investing in community
The tech-savvy people person
The designer creating connection

The executive investing in community

Nerissa Davis Stewart West Coast Café Market Executive

Nerissa Davis Stewart was drawn to Capital One by the company mission. “To change banking for good, make it easy, simple, all about humanity… I just sort of fell in love,” Davis Stewart said. One of the ways in which Capital One makes banking easy and human is with its Capital One Cafés. Here, people can open no-fee accounts, experience free sessions with “Money Mentors” and attend savings workshops, all within a casual, approachable café setting. As West Coast Café Market Executive, Davis Stewart manages Capital One Cafés across five states.

Davis Stewart didn’t always see banking as a career — she earned a graduate degree in counseling using Capital One’s tuition reimbursement program — but as she spent more time at the company, she realized she was getting to do exactly what she had always wanted: help people every day. According to Davis Stewart, Capital One Café workers, known as Ambassadors, are also encouraged to act as stewards of their local communities.

“Here in L.A., we’ve done everything from feeding the homeless to providing financial literacy for folks that have just transitioned out of prison,” Davis Stewart said.

And helping people doesn’t just apply to customers and communities. It extends to colleagues, too. Davis Stewart praises the leadership development she has undergone at Capital One for helping her assist others with their career journeys: “The best days are when I get to promote someone and share their joy,” she said. “Every day is a great day at Capital One, but those opportunities to help and develop others always make the best day.”

Another way in which Davis Stewart has helped her colleagues grow is by championing a new workplace dress code, which encourages café ambassadors to bring more of their “true selves” to work. It’s all part of a culture in which, Davis Stewart said, “People don’t feel like they have to keep their thoughts or ideas to themselves. And that starts with the leadership, who are always asking the right questions — ‘How are you feeling? How does this affect you?’ — and providing a path for people to share or have an idea and run with it.”

Real people, real journeys

The executive investing in community

Nerissa Davis Stewart West Coast Cafe Market Executive

Nerissa Davis Stewart was drawn to Capital One by the company mission. “To change banking for good, make it easy, simple, all about humanity… I just sort of fell in love,” Davis Stewart said. One of the ways in which Capital One makes banking easy and human is with its Capital One Cafés. Here, people can open no-fee accounts, experience free sessions with “Money Mentors” and attend savings workshops, all within a casual, approachable café setting. As West Coast Café Market Executive, Davis Stewart manages Capital One Cafés across five states.

Davis Stewart didn’t always see banking as a career — she earned a graduate degree in counseling using Capital One’s tuition reimbursement program — but as she spent more time at the company, she realized she was getting to do exactly what she had always wanted: help people every day. According to Davis Stewart, Capital One Café workers, known as Ambassadors, are also encouraged to act as stewards of their local communities.

“Here in L.A., we’ve done everything from feeding the homeless to providing financial literacy for folks that have just transitioned out of prison,” Davis Stewart said.

And helping people doesn’t just apply to customers and communities. It extends to colleagues, too. Davis Stewart praises the leadership development she has undergone at Capital One for helping her assist others with their career journeys: “The best days are when I get to promote someone and share their joy,” she said. “Every day is a great day at Capital One, but those opportunities to help and develop others always make the best day.”

Another way in which Davis Stewart has helped her colleagues grow is by championing a new workplace dress code, which encourages café ambassadors to bring more of their “true selves” to work. It’s all part of a culture in which, Davis Stewart said, “People don’t feel like they have to keep their thoughts or ideas to themselves. And that starts with the leadership, who are always asking the right questions — ‘How are you feeling? How does this affect you?’ — and providing a path for people to share or have an idea and run with it.”

The tech-savvy people person

Tharren Clark Senior Director and Chief Architect, People Tech Division

For Tharren Clark, Capital One stood out for being a forward-thinking financial services company, but also a tech enterprise. “I thought it was unique in the financial services industry, in that we have a technology mindset,” Clark said. “Capital One is very good at adopting new technologies to drive innovation. And that permeates a new way of thinking from a cultural mindset as well.”

This often manifests as quickly addressing changing customer needs. “One of the ways we’re changing banking for good is around our digital transformation and how that allows us to adopt new ways of doing things much faster,” Clark explained. “It gives us the agility to see what our customer needs are and create new products quickly.”

Clark’s everyday role turns that tech mindset inwards. A prime example: The talent management app Clark developed with human resources uses tech to assist Capital One associates with their career progression in a seamless, centralized way.

“At Capital One, we want our associates to grow,” Clark explained. “And if they feel an internal position in another division would help them grow, then we want to facilitate that transition. Or, if they're staying in their current role, we want to help them get the right training they need to grow in that position.”

The app allows associates to plan their preferred career trajectory via various pathways, from first determining their aspirations, to then finding recommendations for which skill sets or competencies they should develop to realize those goals. Associates’ managers can also share their development recommendations via the app.

“We want associates to have an active role in their career, and to help their managers support those goals,” Clark added. “So, instead of having four or five different ways to do talent management, we’re integrating all of it into one.”

Clark doesn’t stop at helping colleagues progress. He also leads outreach initiatives to universities, guiding students toward computer information technology skills and careers. This includes working with the University of Puerto Rico. “We help students from disadvantaged backgrounds, where they don’t have a lot of exposure to these exciting technology careers. We give them mentorship opportunities and help them make informed decisions about their professional path.”

Ultimately, Clark said, days spent helping people develop has fostered his own growth. “Capital One empowered me to take on these projects and get the training I need to do them. So, that has helped my own career development, too.”

The tech-savvy people person

Tharren Clark Senior Director and Chief Architect, People Tech Division

For Tharren Clark, Capital One stood out for being a forward-thinking financial services company, but also a tech enterprise. “I thought it was unique in the financial services industry, in that we have a technology mindset,” Clark said. “Capital One is very good at adopting new technologies to drive innovation. And that permeates a new way of thinking from a cultural mindset as well.”

This often manifests as quickly addressing changing customer needs. “One of the ways we’re changing banking for good is around our digital transformation and how that allows us to adopt new ways of doing things much faster,” Clark explained. “It gives us the agility to see what our customer needs are and create new products quickly.”

Clark’s everyday role turns that tech mindset inwards. A prime example: The talent management app Clark developed with human resources uses tech to assist Capital One associates with their career progression in a seamless, centralized way.

“At Capital One, we want our associates to grow,” Clark explained. “And if they feel an internal position in another division would help them grow, then we want to facilitate that transition. Or, if they're staying in their current role, we want to help them get the right training they need to grow in that position.”

The app allows associates to plan their preferred career trajectory via various pathways, from first determining their aspirations, to then finding recommendations for which skill sets or competencies they should develop to realize those goals. Associates’ managers can also share their development recommendations via the app.

“We want associates to have an active role in their career, and to help their managers support those goals,” Clark added. “So, instead of having four or five different ways to do talent management, we’re integrating all of it into one.”

Clark doesn’t stop at helping colleagues progress. He also leads outreach initiatives to universities, guiding students toward computer information technology skills and careers. This includes working with the University of Puerto Rico. “We help students from disadvantaged backgrounds, where they don’t have a lot of exposure to these exciting technology careers. We give them mentorship opportunities and help them make informed decisions about their professional path.”

Ultimately, Clark said, days spent helping people develop has fostered his own growth. “Capital One empowered me to take on these projects and get the training I need to do them. So, that has helped my own career development, too.”

The designer creating connection

Jehan Moghazy VP of Design

As a designer who typically worked at tech companies and agencies, Jehan Moghazy never imagined working for a bank. But when she learned Capital One was prioritizing good design to shape everything from business strategy to customer experiences, she took a chance. And she’s never looked back.

Good design plays a pivotal part in “changing banking for good,” Moghazy said. She pointed to how, when customers log into their accounts, they don’t just learn “how much money they have.” “Based on our knowledge of the customer and their transactions, we’re able to surface really meaningful information to help them become a more financially sound person,” Moghazy explained. She added that a large focus of her design work is helping people access valuable knowledge without having to take several steps to get there. “It’s really about simplicity, just getting out of the way and creating more seamless experiences for people.”

But Capital One hasn’t only taught Moghazy the value that good design can bring to a bank. The organization’s work culture brings immeasurable value to her own life, too. From day one, Moghazy had an executive coach to bounce ideas off and go to for guidance. The coach helped Moghazy become a better leader, and a better person.

“The ability to think and talk through who you are, why you’re that way, how we overcome things, how we develop meaningful relationships… it’s been super valuable,” Moghazy said. “I’ve always thought about it as having a therapist for work.”

The coaching, Moghazy added, has helped her live up to Capital One’s maxim to “bring your whole self to work”. “I’ve made that a big focus, to share more about who I am and what I’m about, because that’s important for creating connections with your teams,” she said. And the more you connect with your teams, the more meaningful work you can do.

Moghazy, who is Egyptian, also leads Capital One’s Middle East and North Africa Business Resource Group, which creates community among members and helps them develop their careers. She values the virtual Iftar, the breaking of the fast held daily at sunset during Ramadan, as well as social media groups where she can connect with Muslim colleagues.

“When I first joined Capital One, I was added to the Slack channel for Muslim associates and allies, and there was maybe 600 people in it,” she said. “And I thought it was amazing that there was such a large group of people celebrating that connection. I hadn’t seen anything like that before.”

The designer creating connection

Jehan Moghazy VP of Design

As a designer who typically worked at tech companies and agencies, Jehan Moghazy never imagined working for a bank. But when she learned Capital One was prioritizing good design to shape everything from business strategy to customer experiences, she took a chance. And she’s never looked back.

Good design plays a pivotal part in “changing banking for good,” Moghazy said. She pointed to how, when customers log into their accounts, they don’t just learn “how much money they have.” “Based on our knowledge of the customer and their transactions, we’re able to surface really meaningful information to help them become a more financially sound person,” Moghazy explained. She added that a large focus of her design work is helping people access valuable knowledge without having to take several steps to get there. “It’s really about simplicity, just getting out of the way and creating more seamless experiences for people.”

But Capital One hasn’t only taught Moghazy the value that good design can bring to a bank. The organization’s work culture brings immeasurable value to her own life, too. From day one, Moghazy had an executive coach to bounce ideas off and go to for guidance. The coach helped Moghazy become a better leader, and a better person.

“The ability to think and talk through who you are, why you’re that way, how we overcome things, how we develop meaningful relationships… it’s been super valuable,” Moghazy said. “I’ve always thought about it as having a therapist for work.”

The coaching, Moghazy added, has helped her live up to Capital One’s maxim to “bring your whole self to work”. “I’ve made that a big focus, to share more about who I am and what I’m about, because that’s important for creating connections with your teams,” she said. And the more you connect with your teams, the more meaningful work you can do.

Moghazy, who is Egyptian, also leads Capital One’s Middle East and North Africa Business Resource Group, which creates community among members and helps them develop their careers. She values the virtual Iftar, the breaking of the fast held daily at sunset during Ramadan, as well as social media groups where she can connect with Muslim colleagues.

“When I first joined Capital One, I was added to the Slack channel for Muslim associates and allies, and there was maybe 600 people in it,” she said. “And I thought it was amazing that there was such a large group of people celebrating that connection. I hadn’t seen anything like that before.”

Join Capital One to have a career where you can change banking
for good all while maintaining great flexibility and work-life balance.
Find your perfect fit at capitalonecareers.com.

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