Tips for top performers — advice from our employees

At Fannie Mae, our supportive culture means being dedicated to helping each other grow and succeed. Recently, we asked people in different roles around the company for tips they’d give anyone hoping to join Fannie Mae — or just gain momentum in advancing their career. Check out these top insights.

1: Proven career-building tactics — get out of your comfort zone

Director of Human Resources Shirley C.-R. reflects back on her career and finds exploring career options and the various paths to achieve your goals is a great way to achieve success. “Take time for strategic moves to lateral positions that can increase your breadth of knowledge. Don’t rush — sometimes to move up, you need to step back and learn new skills.”

Not being afraid to raise your hand and ask “why” is another way to get ahead. “In an early career role, you’re not expected to know everything. By asking questions, you demonstrate your curiosity and critical thinking skills while furthering your knowledge much faster than you otherwise could,” says Josh B., an Associate in Single-Family Data Science.

Introducing yourself helps you build other valuable skills at work. Caityln P., an Associate in the Enterprise Finance Program, advises being open and friendly and getting to know your colleagues. “When starting out, it’s easy to focus solely on developing technical skills or mastering daily responsibilities. But creating relationships with mentors and peers can open doors.”

2: Take risks, be proactive — it may lead to a big reward

Another common theme from our employees was to take chances — don’t be afraid to make a mistake or try something new.

“There is nothing wrong with failure,” says Christian S., a Senior Associate in Enterprise, Business, and Multifamily Architecture. “You will not get everything right the first time, and that is completely fine. Just stay diligent, and once you complete what you may have struggled with, the feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable. The sky is the limit for you!”

“Seize the opportunities that appeal to you,” advises Rayna M., a Senior Associate in Multifamily Risk Analysis. “If there’s an initiative that you’re interested in, raise your hand for it. If there’s someone that you would like to shadow, reach out to them. If there’s a topic that you’d like to learn more about, take a course on it. Being eager to learn and being curious opens you up to new experiences and perspectives.”

3: And finally: Network. Network. Network.

Marcus C., Director of Talent Acquisition — Program Management, says, “Networking has been crucial to my career progression. Building genuine connections across the organization — especially with people from different backgrounds and different parts of the business — has opened up countless opportunities.” To fortify your network, he recommends: “Stay curious. Ask people about their interests, career goals, and what they’re working on. This approach builds authentic professional relationships and lasting connections.”

Start right out of college. Gabi R., a Senior Associate in End User Services, shares that “networking has been a gateway to new opportunities, learning experiences, and personal development. Through networking, I was able to transition from an intern to a full-time employee in Fannie Mae. My connections and the work ethic I demonstrated helped me showcase my eagerness to learn and my commitment.”

Inspired to make your career move? We’d love to meet you. Check out Fannie Mae’s open roles today.