8 March is International Women’s Day! This year’s theme, #balanceforbetter, encourages people around the world to forge a more gender-balanced world, celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality. In celebration, several women on Darden’s Career Development Center team shared their best career advice for women. Read advice from these impactful women below.
“To thine own self be true! Be authentic in what you believe and how you respond. Surround yourself with people who build you up and inspire you. Find a mentor who provides honest feedback and shares experiences!”
– Pam Cline, assistant director of employer engagement and recruiting
“Know what your beliefs are and be open to changing your perspective in order to see the world in a different light. Never underestimate the power of networking. And if you make a mistake, own up to it and move quickly to fix it.”
– Kristen Davis, office and program manager
“Be in search of a career and workplace that allows you to be your authentic self. Bringing your entire self to work will enable you to thrive. Find a leader who inspires and motivates you to fulfill your goals and grow. You are only as good as those around you.”
– Casey Floyd, director of employer engagement and recruiting
“Learn to trust your intuition when it comes to making decisions related to your career. You can seek a lot of great advice, but ultimately this is your career and you know yourself better than anyone else!”
– Christy Gunville, senior director of consulting careers
“Surround yourself with people who build you up, inspire you to be a better version of yourself and have qualities that you would like to emulate. Let go of those who do the opposite.”
– Courtney Harris, assistant director of employer engagement and recruiting
“Do less to do more. It’s easy to get involved and want to do everything, which isn’t always the best course of action. Doing a couple things really well with lazer focus can actually move the needle more.”
– Kellogg Leliveld, director of career education and advising
“Pursue a career that sparks your passion, enables you to use your strengths and work with people who inspire and energize you. Forget the, ‘I should do this or that’ and go out and test drive new experiences and roles. You might be surprised, in a very good way, at how your career unfolds.”
– Sarita Soldz, associate director of career education and advising
“You are good enough, smart enough and meant to be here. And whatever you’re thinking right now? Someone else is likely thinking it, too. Say it. You’re never alone.”
– Mary Shea Watson, communications and marketing manager
“Be yourself, be confident and try not to care what other people think of you. Women more than men tend to really, really care about what others think of them, and use a lot of energy worrying about what other people think or how to please other people. At the end of the day, you can’t control what others think. So use your energy wisely. Do your best and don’t seek exterior validation for what you do.”
– Margaret Weeks, associate director of career education and advising
“Read Jessica Bennett’s book Feminist Fight Club. Gift it to the men in your life. Seek a group of other women as a sounding board. And when you’re negotiating, research market rates, state your case, then be quiet. No apology for asking what you’re worth. Make them respond.”
– Jenny Zenner, senior director of technology careers
