Capital One helps Hire Our Heroes

After serving in the military for 22 years, Crystal knew she was ready to finish her career in the U.S. Army. But she didn’t know what to do next, or how her experience as a senior operations sergeant would translate to a civilian career. 

“My anxiety was through the roof,” Crystal said. “It was that feeling of the unknown. I didn’t know if I could adapt that far into my career.” 

Hiring Our Heroes was there to help Crystal figure out her career and land her current role as a program manager for the Controller’s Retail Agile team. The program, a Capital One partner, is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce foundation that helps veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses get career ready and find fulfilling careers.

While Hiring Our Heroes hosts hiring campaigns and job fairs, many alumni join Capital One through the organization’s Corporate Fellowship Program, which places transitioning military members into open jobs for 11 weeks with the opportunity for full-time hire. For military spouses, the program lasts six weeks with the opportunity for full-time hire.

The Hiring Our Heroes Fellowship begins with interviews of service members, veterans, spouses and caregivers to carefully match them to a company based on their specific skills and the preferences of both parties. Fellowships typically happen three times a year, with participants joining a company in cohorts.

Fellows spend four days each week with their host company for on-the-job training. At Capital One, they work on active projects, receive constructive feedback, network with associates and connect with Salute, our Business Resource Group for the military community. They spend their other day in professional development workshops with their cohort, learning how to craft a resume, interview for a position and build their networks.

Jonathan, a U.S. Army and Army Reserve veteran, spent his 2020 fellowship with the Cyber Incident and Event Management team, where he helped Capital One keep its customers and business safe from digital threats. He joined the team as a full-time senior associate after the program and has earned multiple promotions to become a manager. 

“I had only ever worked with the military or government contracts, so Hiring Our Heroes opened me up to a world I never experienced,” Jonathan said. “They paired me with a team that fit my skills really well.”

Josh was eager to find a career that matched the spirit of camaraderie and mission to give back after wrapping up his seven-year career with the U.S. Marines. Through the fellowship program, Josh connected with Capital One and its mission to change banking for good.

From his first day at Capital One, Josh’s manager was prepared to help him succeed by giving him tips, scheduling meet & greets and assigning projects to focus on. As Josh settled into his role as product manager for the Business Cards and Payments team, he assisted on projects that decreased underwriter turnaround time on credit decisions, making it quicker for small businesses to get credit increases. 

“Hiring Our Heroes doesn’t just set us up for success, but helps us find meaning out of our new careers,” Josh said. “For anyone struggling with leaving the military, I’d tell them not to be afraid. Come to Capital One, you’ll see there’s plenty of support here that will help you thrive.”