One Woman’s Perspective on WOWS
As a young professional woman attending the 13th annual Women on Wall Street conference, I was impressed by what the panelists had to say. Their advice was pertinent, somewhat sassy and all together entertaining. They talked about changes in the work force, changes in their professional careers and changes that helped them achieve personal success.
Do you know what you want to do with your life? If you do, kudos. If not, you are in a boat with the majority of us. Brenda Barnes, Chairman and CEO of Sara Lee Corporation, offered some advice for young women trying to chart their career path. She asked, what are your ambitions? What values can you justify compromising and what principles are non-negotiable? Ms. Barnes acknowledged that there would be trade-offs along the journey.
It really resonated with me when Professor Laurie Hodrick, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies at Deutsche Bank, said that your first job is just that, your first job. It does not define who you are. My younger, vegetarian self who worked at a fur store to pay the bills, needed to hear that. Ms. Hodrick emphasized that you shouldn’t get discouraged by your first job, because it won’t be your last. Laurie said that when you are faced with two great choices, choose both. I wrote that down in my little black book and thought about it. If you pass one opportunity up, you may never get the chance again.
Since the theme of the conference was change, many of the panelists mentioned taking risks in your career. It got me thinking, how far can I go by always playing it safe? I know I take the biggest leaps when I am most uncomfortable in situations.
Taking risks puts you outside of your comfort zone, but it also opens you up to new opportunities. You may not get that promotion you ask for, but you won’t get it by keeping quiet either.
What to do if you’re shot down for the promotion? Sandra Horbach, Consumer and Retail Managing Director of the Carlyle Group, said that setbacks should be empowering, not paralyzing. You pick yourself up and keep going. It’s like that Sex in the City episode where Carrie Bradshaw models in a fashion show as a “real person” and falls on the runway. Horbach said to take that setback and use it as leverage to push yourself further. It will help to prepare you the next time around.
One thing all the panelists agreed on was the importance of networking. Building and maintaining relationships is an important part of your job. I had a teacher that used to say it’s who you know that will get you the job and it’s what you know that will keep you there. Not only can industry-rooted relationships provide professional opportunities but they can also serve as support systems.
Ask yourself, why not make the change? This point was emphasized at the conference. The advice of the panelists was helpful, but if it’s all moving to fast for you, I leave you with this quote by Lao Tzu… “The Journey of A Thousand Miles Begins With One Step.”
