A decade at Capital One: From college grad to VP
Brittany Courtney wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to do after earning a business degree, looking at everything from commercial real estate to analyst jobs. She did know she wanted a long-term employer with development opportunities and complex challenges that required innovative solutions.
She found those must-haves at Capital One. In 2011, she joined the Management Rotation Program (MRP), a Capital One rotation program that provides recent grads with the knowledge needed to deliver complex, cross-functional initiatives that drive the company forward. Brittany spent the next decade working in various product management roles, and in 2022, she became the first MRP alum to become a vice president at the company.
“What drew me into Capital One was it felt like a place I could be at forever,” said Brittany, a vice president of product management for Financial Services. “It’s been a place that has evolved with me as I’ve gone from being a single college graduate living in an apartment to growing a family and earning my MBA.”
Finding meaningful work
Brittany has jumped between product and project management positions for her entire career at Capital One. Yet, when she first started at Capital One, she hadn’t heard of either position.
“I remember the recruiter asking me if I’d be interested in project management,” Brittany said. “Looking back and understanding more about the role—it was made for me. I love bringing people together to problem solve and drive a business outcome.”
Brittany has developed improvements for both customers and associates by combining her natural problem-solving talents with additional design thinking and software solution skills. She’s helped build digital tools that assist customers who are behind on their payments. Another project helped customers and front-line associates see updates to accounts more quickly.
“The way we did things when I started here 10 years ago and the way we do things now are not the same,” Brittany said, “but what’s been consistent is using in-depth research, data and empathy to help our customers.”
Now, with more than a decade of experience, Brittany leads a team of product managers, designers, technologists, data scientists and business analysts in creating resources that help customers buy cars online.
“One of the best things about the MRP is you get to meet people working in all different lines of business—Card, Human Resources, Enterprise Data—and build this really great network,” Brittany said. “I still talk to a bunch of folks I met in 2011 because our work often intersects. That’s valuable as a VP, where I have to connect many different pieces.”
All-encompassing resources
Brittany has received invaluable support from Capital One as she’s advanced in her career.
She graduated from two internal leadership development programs that connected her with other women executives and provided mentors who helped her with a career development plan.
Brittany has also used Capital One’s tuition assistance benefit—which provides a maximum of $5,250 in tuition costs upfront—to offset the cost of earning an MBA.
“I had very limited technology and business experience coming into Capital One,” Brittany said. “Despite that, I’ve routinely had the support and resources to dive headfirst into opportunities.”
Capital One’s support extends to Brittany’s personal life. She’s had extended time off as part of the company’s parental leave for the births of her three children. She has ownership over her schedule, stepping away when needed to care for her family.
“Life at Capital One means family,” Brittany said. “Being here has been such an integral part of my life. The company cares in a way that’s making sure you can really grow in and out of work.”
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