How I knew Fannie Mae’s culture was the right fit for me
About six years ago, Jorge found himself searching for a better career path. But his criteria went beyond salary and benefits. For Jorge, it was equally important to find inclusive organizations whose mission and vision statements matched his principles and values.
“To find organizations that are inclusive, one must do research even before applying for a job,” said Jorge. “Look at their leadership’s makeup; see what current and former employees are saying in social media, like LinkedIn.”
Today, Jorge works at Fannie Mae as a Product Management Advisor in the Corporate Technology Department. After finding his fit, Jorge has practical advice for finding a company with the environment and opportunities that match someone’s needs.
Search for the scoop online
Jorge started his career in software development, later moving into project management. When the opportunity to work at Fannie Mae arose, he began his due diligence on the company.
“When the opportunity to work at Fannie Mae was presented, I started doing some research on the company, its history, and what current and former employees were saying about Fannie Mae. I felt that the company’s culture and its mission were a great match for me,” said Jorge.
That positive feeling was quickly reinforced once he joined, and he discovered and took advantage of the development opportunities offered, including Fannie Mae University (FMU) and got involved with Fannie Mae’s Hispanic ERG.
Look for all available career development opportunities
While there are many development opportunities available through FMU, including in technical and business areas, Jorge said that ERGs also provide opportunities for personal and leadership development.
“I joined the Hispanic ERG because I wanted to be part of a community, meet new people, and network outside my immediate team,” said Jorge. “Once I joined, I realized it was more than that; ERGs can make a difference in how the company approaches fair lending practices for homeownership.”
Not only is joining one or more ERGs an opportunity to find like-minded people, but it can also foster collaboration and create different ways to look at a business issue and devise an alternative approach.
Put value into culture as much as rewards
Discovering a company culture that embraces collaboration with others to find innovative solutions to solve a problem (in the case of Fannie Mae, ensuring everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream of owning a home) was paramount for Jorge.
“Without collaboration and innovation, solving any problem becomes almost impossible,” he said. “Fannie Mae’s commitment to inclusiveness is a source of strength and an organizational advantage as it works to make housing more equitable and affordable across the country. If you are looking for a company with a mission and dedicated to its employees, check out Fannie Mae careers or online.