Hey girls! Today I wanna spill the tea on my experience climbing the professional ladder as a woman. It’s been a wild ride, full of highs and lows, but I’m here to tell you that we can totally slay in our careers!
When I first started out in the workforce, I was so excited. I had big dreams and was ready to take on the world. But boy, did I quickly realize that it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. There were so many unspoken rules and biases that I had to navigate through.
One of the first things I noticed was the way people would react when I walked into a meeting. As a woman, I felt like I had to prove myself twice as hard just to be taken seriously. The guys would often interrupt me when I was speaking, as if my ideas didn’t matter as much. It was so frustrating! But instead of getting discouraged, I decided to use it as fuel to work even harder.
I started dressing the part too. I know some people might say that it’s shallow, but let me tell you, when you look good, you feel good, and it gives you that extra boost of confidence. I found some killer power suits that made me feel like a total boss babe. And it wasn’t just about looking good for others, it was about feeling good for myself. When I walked into the office wearing my favorite suit, I felt like I could conquer anything.
Networking was another crucial part of my journey. At first, I was really shy about it. I mean, who likes walking up to strangers and trying to make small talk? But I quickly learned that networking is essential if you want to get ahead. So I forced myself to go to those after-work events and industry conferences. And you know what? I actually started having fun! I met some amazing women who were on the same journey as me, and we were able to support and encourage each other. We shared our stories, our struggles, and our successes. It was like having a built-in cheerleading squad.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were times when I faced blatant sexism. I had a boss once who would give the guys on the team all the high-profile projects, while I was stuck with the grunt work. When I asked him why, he gave me some lame excuse about how the guys had more experience. But I knew that wasn’t true. I had been working just as hard, if not harder, than them. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I worked on some side projects in my free time to build up my portfolio and show what I was capable of. And eventually, my hard work paid off. I got the chance to work on a major project, and I nailed it!
Another thing that was really challenging was finding a work-life balance. As women, we often feel like we have to be everything to everyone. We’re expected to be great at our jobs, take care of our families, and still have time for our friends and hobbies. It’s a lot to juggle! There were times when I was so stressed out from work that I would come home and just collapse on the couch. But I learned that it’s important to set boundaries. I started saying no to those extra projects that would take up all my free time. I made sure to schedule in some “me time” every week, whether it was going for a yoga class or just reading a good book. And it made such a difference in my overall well-being.
Now, as I look back on my career climb so far, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve learned so many lessons along the way. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be assertive and stand up for myself. I’ve learned that building a strong network of supporters is key. And I’ve learned that taking care of myself is just as important as achieving success in my career.
To all the women out there who are climbing their own professional ladders, I want to say this: You got this! Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. Keep pushing forward, keep believing in yourself, and remember that you are capable of amazing things. We are strong, we are smart, and we are more than capable of reaching the top of whatever ladder we set our sights on. So go out there and slay, girls!