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Professional Stages

Your Journey is a collection of relatable real-life leadership challenges, structured to help women navigate all career phases.

Resources, activities and communication techniques constantly refreshed here to assist you with a change in thinking & experience.

The goal is to open up to adopting a perspective that alters the rules & expectations to make work more enjoyable.

Early Stage
On The Rise
Professional

Early Stage

On The Rise

Experienced Professional

Early Stage

Career Characteristics
  • Building foundational skills and knowledge, completing certifications, internships and applying for new assignments.

  • Establishing a professional identity and network.

  • Exploring various roles and industries to find the right fit and a culture match.
  • Proving credibility and skills in environments where you may be underestimated due to limited number of years of experience and gender stereotypes.

  • Encountering biases such as being assigned less challenging projects or being overlooked in technical discussions and decision-making.
  • Facing assumptions based on gender stereotypes, such as not being tech-savvy or assertive enough.

  • Experiencing subtle, often unintentional micro-aggressions, which are behaviors that undermine or belittle you, such as being talked over in meetings or not being taken seriously.
  • Many are recent graduates adjusting to the workforce.

  • Balancing new responsibilities with personal interests and deepening relationships.

  • Possibly dealing with student loans and financial planning for the future.

    • On The Rise!

    Career Characteristics
  • Developing expertise and possibly moving into management & leadership roles.

  • Focusing on career advancement and seeking more significant challenges.

  • Expanding professional networks and influence.

  • May be involved in mentoring or coaching others.
  • Seeking recognition for leadership capabilities and equal opportunities for promotion with little success.

  • Given high visibility projects (which come with high risk of criticism) without the corresponding authority or resources you need to succeed.

  • Networking is crucial, yet you may be excluded from informal networks, after-work gatherings, or specific communication channels where important information and opportunities are shared. Ever been on a work trip with a group of guys?! Not always fun.

  • Balancing assertiveness with perceptions of approachability and likability, often scrutinized more harshly than male counterparts.

  • Experiencing disadvantages related to current or potential motherhood, impacting perceptions of commitment and capability.

  • Double Bind challenge of being either seen as too soft to be effective or too aggressive compared to male colleagues.
  • Many are balancing growing career demands with significant life events such as marriage, parenthood, or caring for aging parents.
  • Financial responsibilities increase, including mortgages, education savings for kids, etc.
  • May face challenges related to work-life balance, burnout and managing dual-career households.

    • Experienced Professional

    Career Characteristics
  • Holding leadership roles or being highly specialized expert based on depth of experience and expertise acquired over many years.

  • Influencing policy and strategic direction in your field.

  • Focusing on legacy-building and meaningful impact..

  • Mentors and role models for younger professionals.
  • Navigating leadership roles while combating stereotypes about age and innovation.

  • Dealing with potential marginalization due to perceptions about technological adeptness or resistance to change.

  • Facing challenges in securing new opportunities or promotions, which might be more readily offered to younger colleagues. Not always fun.

  • Overcoming entrenched stereotypes and networks that favor male leadership, despite proven expertise and leadership.

  • Struggling with visibility and acknowledgment of achievements, often seeing less recognition & lower compensation compared to male peers.

  • Encountering assumptions based on age or appearance that you may not be up-to-date with the latest technologies or trends, affecting opportunities for leadership of cutting-edge projects.

  • Being unfairly labeled as outdated or resistant to change, which can undermine your efforts to lead transformations or adapt to new business strategies. A Dinosaur Label.

  • Despite vast experience, your suggestions or strategies might be overlooked in favor of newer, less proven ideas, being underestimated purely based on age-related stereotypes.

  • Facing transitions such as preparing for retirement or a second career; kids in college or starting families of their own and needing support.

  • More stable personally and financially, potentially focusing more on personal passions and hobbies such as making time to travel.

  • Physical health changes, physical limitations or greater need to focus on maintaining physical fitness to enhance quality of life. Less desire to be in a sedentary role full time.

  • Exploring philanthropy, board memberships, and other forms of community engagement to give-back and round out the work experience.

    • Next Steps

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