Making a career change between two seemingly unrelated industries can feel intimidating. For Rachel, now a business manager at Capital One, the shift from teaching to analytics wasn’t about abandoning one path; it was about applying her love of math and problem solving in a new way.
“Growing up, I always went back and forth between wanting to teach math and doing math,” she says. After five years in the classroom, she decided to explore what “doing the math” could look like professionally. While still teaching full time, she completed her Master’s in Data Analytics and secured an internship at Capital One through her network. That opportunity led her to the Analyst Development Program (ADP) and ultimately to her current leadership role.
Below, she shares how she navigated the pivot and what she learned along the way.
How did you know Capital One would be a good fit as you transitioned from the teaching field?
I already knew a few people who worked at Capital One, which gave me insight into the culture before I applied. What stood out most was how much the company values different perspectives and continuous learning. There’s a strong growth mindset, and associates are encouraged to explore internal opportunities to meet their professional goals.
Capital One’s commitment to the customer also resonated with me. As a teacher, my focus was always on serving my students. At Capital One, that same mindset shows up in how we approach business decisions, and that natural alignment made the transition feel intentional.
Being a business analyst at Capital One involves solving complex problems, building data-driven recommendations, and communicating those recommendations clearly to stakeholders. Those were skills I had already begun developing in the classroom, and programs like the ADP helped me refine and apply them in a business setting.
How did you find Capital One’s rotational programs, and what prompted you to choose the ADP in particular?
My husband worked at Capital One while I was teaching and had gone through the Technology Development Program, so I was already aware of the different rotational opportunities. The internship allowed me to test whether the financial services industry was the right fit. Once I learned more about the ADP, it felt like the ideal next step because it offered structured learning and exposure to multiple areas of the business.
How did your participation in the ADP help make your pivot from education smoother or more confident?
Rotating through the ADP gave me the foundation I needed to grow into the analyst I am today. For two years, I was able to prioritize learning while still delivering results. That balance made the transition less overwhelming and allowed me to build both technical and communication skills with confidence.
The exposure to different teams and parts of the business also helped me develop a broader understanding of how decisions impact the organization as a whole. Looking back, I would absolutely choose the ADP again because it made such a significant difference in how I approached my career switch.
What are some of the lessons you took from teaching that you found directly transferable to being an analyst, and then to becoming a manager? Any that surprised you?
One of the most transferable skills was the ability to explain complex ideas clearly to a wide range of stakeholders. As an analyst, I regularly present findings and recommendations to people across different job families and levels. Since everyone comes to the table with a different perspective, I focus on speaking their language and highlighting exactly why a decision matters to them. That’s how you get everyone on the same page.
Problem-solving was another major crossover skill. In the classroom, I constantly analyzed student data, identified gaps, and adjusted my approach. That same structured thinking applies directly to business challenges.
Leading subject matter teams as a teacher also prepared me to lead others in this new setting. I learned how to plan effectively, delegate responsibilities, manage timelines, and adapt when unexpected challenges arise. As a manager, I now focus on understanding how each teammate works best and creating an environment where they can succeed.
Tell us a bit about your current role as business manager in Capital One’s Card line. What are you and your team responsible for?
I’m currently a business manager on the Performance Marketing Card Site team. Our focus is improving Capital One’s branded card website to better meet customer expectations and drive account bookings.
Specifically, I work within the acquisitions space, optimizing the pre-approval and application funnels. We’re constantly experimenting to improve personalization and the overall customer experience. It’s exciting to work on initiatives that directly shape how customers interact with our products.
Any projects you’re working on right now that excite or inspire you?
Welcoming new customers is really exciting right now because we're focusing heavily on making the process feel more personal. We recently rolled out a new pre-approval experience that opened the door to more tailored customer journeys. While I can’t share all the details of what is ahead, there’s strong cross-functional collaboration happening to better meet customers’ needs when they’re actively exploring card options.
Making a change between two careers that seem very different from each other on the surface can be intimidating. What would you tell others about how their current experience and skillset might apply to a new career?
Being different is valuable. Your skills may not map perfectly on paper, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t relevant. The key is finding thoughtful ways to connect your strengths to the role you’re pursuing and being confident in the value you bring.
There will always be some discomfort when stepping into something new. But I’ve learned that growth usually lives on the other side of the thing that scares you. Taking that leap can open doors you never expected.
How did Capital One help you as you moved up and around at the company? Besides ADP, what were some other resources and programs that helped you along the way?
Capital One offers many opportunities to continue learning, from internal courses to conferences. I’ve benefited from networking events and leadership focused programs that strengthened both my judgment and problem solving skills.
Each experience reinforced the company’s emphasis on growth and development, and I’ve consistently felt supported as I’ve taken on new challenges and responsibilities.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in either of your career paths, and how did you overcome it?
One of my biggest ongoing challenges has been managing imposter syndrome. Teaching felt natural to me, and transitioning into the business world meant entering completely new territory. I often found myself surrounded by people with more directly aligned degrees or experience.
Over time, strong mentors and leaders helped me recognize that everyone brings different strengths to the table. Focusing on how I can uniquely contribute, rather than comparing backgrounds, has helped me move forward with more confidence.
Over the course of your career so far, what’s one piece of advice you’ve received that you hold to?
Sometimes you need to do the thing that scares you. Whether it’s asking a question in a room where you feel unsure or pursuing a new opportunity that feels intimidating, the biggest regret is often not trying. That mindset has guided me through my career transition and continues to shape how I approach growth today.
