Capital One: Where Opportunity Meets Growth
For Melissa Sanderson, Diversity Talent Acquisition team member and Military Spouse, Capital One is a place where growth and dedication find a home. From making a difference in the community to a fun and supportive environment, discover why she loves being part of the team.
Name: Melissa Sanderson
Position: Diversity Talent Acquistion
Years in Position: 3.5
How did you end up at Capital One?
I started at Capital One in 2003 in our Richmond offices as a contractor, and then joined full-time after three months. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to such an amazing career, 13 years later.
I chose to work at Capital One because: I simply love the people and unique culture.
Describe the perks and challenges of your career: I began as an administrative assistant and really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at that point with my career. But what’s so special about Capital One is that I didn’t have to have it all figured out! I was fortunate to be surrounded by great leaders who allowed me opportunities to grow and develop. They saw my potential and helped to foster it.
What do you wish more people knew about the work Capital One does?
I wish people could see behind the scenes – sit in a meeting and listen to how thoughtful the conversations are, and understand that, without exception, every decision is made in the best interest of our associates and customers.
From a professional level, what are you most proud of during your time at Capital One?
There are truly so many things to be proud of, but a couple definitely stand out. In 2005, I was part of the Disaster Recovery team for Capital One, prior to our acquisition of Hibernia and during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was flown to the command center in Shreveport, LA, days after the hurricane, and my sole responsibility was to assist Hibernia associates and their families in making their way from shelters into hotels in the area. I spent nearly three months in Shreveport and six months total on this team; it was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of my career. The work days were 15+ hours, there was very little sleep, tears every day and an overwhelming sense of urgency to bring the Hibernia associates to safety. The DR team earned the Circle of Excellence for our work during that time. What makes this story so extraordinary is that we did this work and hadn’t yet acquired Hibernia – I can think of no greater example of how Capital One continuously strives to always do the right thing.
Another example was more recent. Capital One and Starbucks teamed up to sponsor the 2016 Military Spouse of the Year Town Hall in Alexandria, Virginia, in May. As a military spouse, this event had special meaning to me. We were given the opportunity to provide gifts to the winners and I decided to reach out to Capital One CEO Rich Fairbank’s office to ask if he would be willing to sign our military spouse job cards that would be included. Rich happily fulfilled my request, and on the day I picked up the cards, I had the unique opportunity to personally thank him and share a little about the event and the work of our military recruiting team. That same morning, an email had landed on his desk from a customer and active duty service member who went into great detail about his appreciation for Capital One and its support of our military and their families. After Rich read the email in its entirety to me, I cried! I shared with him that, as a military spouse, I wanted to thank him and our organization for not only supporting my career, but my husband’s service to our country (cue more tears). It was a special moment that I will never forget.
The best thing about working at Capital One is:
The people, for sure! It’s my colleagues and managers, past and present, that keep me going and motivate me to be better.
What is the culture like at Capital One?
The culture is so unique and fun – it’s inspiring. You’re never the smartest person in the room, yet are never made to feel that way. It’s collaborative and thought-provoking without pretention. I work remotely and feel fully supported and connected – we are given great tech tools to make sure that happens!
One word to describe your coworkers:
CRAZY! My team spends a ton of time traveling together, so I often joke that we have no choice but to get along and that you have to be a little zany. We turn out a lot of work for such a small team, and it’s truly due to the relationships & bonds we have formed with each other that keep the momentum going. I am grateful to have them and consider them my family.
My tip for showing great leadership on the job:
Be a good listener and invest the time in your people – not just professionally, but personally. Lead by setting the best example. I’d like to think I’ve always gone above and beyond for my leaders due to their leadership style and examples they have set for me to follow throughout my career.
What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share with new or potential employees that are looking for a career at Capital One?
Be patient and do your due diligence. The perfect opportunity might not arise when you want it to, but the amazing thing about Capital One is that you own your career and development, making personal growth endless.
