Teresa Woodard, head of Trading Analytics in Global Trading, joined T. Rowe Price right out of college. She now spends her days analyzing internal and external trading data and looking for patterns and trends. “I love that I'm able to do what I love-reading and research-to provide data-driven insights to our trading desk and directly impact our best execution mandate," she says.

As early as her first days with the firm, Woodard noticed T. Rowe Price's positive work culture. “It was immediately apparent that we're a client-first organization with the common goal of helping our clients, and from the very beginning, I have felt that my work directly affects our investors," she recalls. “Secondly, it was clear that T. Rowe Price is committed to associates doing well and being well."

Woodard has now been with the firm for 17 years, but one memory, in particular, stands out: her first client meeting. She was responsible for assembling some materials for the client, but then her manager invited her to attend just 30 minutes before the meeting. “This taught me always to be prepared for the unexpected," she explains. “And whereas I thought I was just in a support role, my manager saw me as a peer and someone who would be able to represent our company in front of clients. It boosted my confidence."

Woodard can also think of several more times a T. Rowe Price colleague placed her in a position to succeed. “They've given me a signal boost in front of senior management, been a sponsor or advocate for me, or have just pushed me to be better," she recalls. “At times, like in my first client meeting, they've quite literally offered me a seat at the table."

To those who are just now embarking on their own careers, Woodard advises them to take risks and pursue challenges. “Don't wait to be offered the next opportunity because it may never come," she says. “I've also learned that you don't have to know everything to have an impact so don't be afraid to speak up and add to the solution. And remember, if you are invited to a meeting, it's because someone values your input."