Reach for Your Dreams
Wisdom & advice for our future leaders
by Morasha Ahrns


The economic circumstances facing recent graduates may compel them to be more creative in pursuing their ambitions. These PBWC members spoke to young women in college and high school, sharing great advice on a variety of topics, including leadership, the job market and success. For more information on the scholarship and mentoring programs of Professional Businesswomen of California, visit www.pbwc.org.

Q: With one semester before graduation, I’m facing the challenge of making a decision on what career path to take and how soon to dive in. Part of me wants to get something as soon as I graduate, but the other part wants to take the year off and travel and have invaluable life experiences. Is there a disadvantage to my resume if I take a year off? Would I be regarded as a “slacker” in the competitive world? - Sophie Siegel, Senior, USF

A: I’m amazed at the pressure we put on ourselves coming out of college. Somehow, at the age of 22 or 23, we feel we’re supposed to know exactly what we should do for the rest of our lives. The reality is, many of us in our 50s are still trying to answer those career questions! My recommendation is to follow your heart with a strong dose of reality. If you can afford to travel the world with no negative financial repercussions (watch that credit!), I would tell you to go for it! However, I suggest applying the same planning and forethought you would if you were entering into a job. Investigate locations and visit places you feel would speak to you in your search for finding your future. Don’t just make it about surfing in Hawaii but about exploring your present to better understand your future. Any organization you join will understand your process and be happy you’ll bring those experiences. If you begin your career now, remember your career is a journey, not a destination. Few of us know what path our career will take over the 40 or 50 years we work. Enter into this first job with the understanding that it is the beginning of your journey. Find something you like doing, in a place you enjoy working with people you respect. The rest will come with your experience, your choices and your successes! Good Luck! - Cindy Solomon, President and CEO, Solomon & Associates

Q: During a recent interview with a large corporation, I noticed the office consisted mostly of men in their 40s and 50s. Landing this job would be a dream, but being a 21 year old woman, I’m concerned about being taken seriously among older men. Any tips? - Elise Nerlove, Senior, SFSU

A: You may have more of an uphill battle to prove your abilities than someone who looks more like the rest of the team, but once you’ve proven you’re capable, the concerns will likely go away. If the department doesn’t have much diversity, there are likely other areas that do. You should reach out to high level women within the organization to seek their support and advice. - Judy Love, Executive Vice President, Comerica Bank

Q: I’d like to obtain a MBA after a few years of working. Any advice on formatting a goal plan? - Bonnibelle La, Senior, SFSU

A: I think the best time to consider an MBA is after working a few years. Start by setting a realistic goal (for example, finishing in under 5 years or sooner depending on job demands and family). Next, see if your employer offers tuition reimbursement and if you can line up support from your boss and other leaders in the company. This will make it a lot easier when you need to head out for a class or to study. Then, take time to find the right school, with classes that match your career aspirations. Getting an MBA is a great opportunity to take the classes you’re interested in, not just classes the college requires. - Joyce Romeo, Intero Real Estate Services

Q. In our economy, should graduates take the first offer they receive even if it’s a lower salary job, or keep applying and hope to get hired by a company of their choice? - Jenny Appel, Senior, USF

A: Everyone is experiencing some level of anxiety these days. Similar to the stock market, the job market also has its ups and downs. When the market tightens, job seekers must balance financial needs with a desire to find that “dream job.” Are both possible? Yes, but a broader vision and patience play a larger role during challenging times.

Begin by analyzing your long-term goals:

• Create a vision of what success means to you. Is it several careers in a large corporation, the freedom of running a business, or something in between?
• Determine your risk tolerance. Do you need a regular paycheck, or is some financial uncertainty okay?
•I’m a believer in doing what you love, in a place where your talents flourish. It may be a matter of getting in the door, especially in a lean job market. At first glance, a job may not resemble the dream, but it might provide the opportunity to reach your dream.

Years ago, if you asked me if being a vice president of a major insurance company was my “dream job,” I’m not sure how I would have responded! However, it’s not the title that makes this job a dream, it’s the opportunity to encourage, motivate and inspire the people who work for me.

Once you’ve found that job, be the best you can be. Have you heard the saying, “The harder I work, the luckier I get”? Hard work gets noticed, and you’ll earn career dividends down the road.

The market will change, but your talents and skills remain constant. Stay focused, and you’ll land in the right place. - Shirley Jean Gordon, Vice President-Operations, State Farm Insurance

Q: What does a woman have to risk to be successful? - Sarah Colwell, CSU Sacramento

A: It doesn’t necessarily fall around the issue of gender when it comes to taking risks; I think it’s personality driven. We all have varying degrees of risk tolerance. Many people miss opportunities when they try to predict the outcome of a situation or opportunity. Intuition has guided me in my career just as ably as reason. When something looks interesting, I let intuition guide me, whether it’s meeting someone and learning about the way they approach business, or looking at an opportunity and realizing that it’s the perfect confluence of timing and idea or an idea ahead of its time. Something else I’ve learned in 25 years in business is never to judge anything too quickly. Let people and circumstances reveal themselves, ask questions and trust yourself. - Kimberly Charles, Founder, Charles Communications Associates

Q: If you work in an industry dominated by men, what was your strategy to attain your position? What sacrifices did you make? Did you constantly have to prove yourself worthy? - Kristin Ely, San Francisco, CA

A: I work in an industry that is traditionally dominated by men. I don’t feel I had to give up anything to achieve what I have, primarily because my husband took on an equal share of family obligations and was very supportive of the hours and travel. However, I had to persevere for promotions. Nothing is handed to you. I had to make it known, work hard and stay focused on the promotion I wanted... and I still do today.
- Mary Ann Bianco, Vice President, Customer Services Management, Oracle Support Services

Q: Is there a difference in leadership/management styles between men and women? - Liz Garcia, Senior, USF

A: I think there is a difference between their leadership styles. I’ve found women focus more on being good communicators and are more in touch with employee morale and job satisfaction. While men and women are both focused on results, women balance good results with employee morale, team building and job satisfaction.
- Paula Hennessey, Director, Products, CBS Interactive – Business

Sandy Pfaff added:
A: There are significant differences in how men and women lead. Personality types, however, also play an important role in management style and leadership. Whether it’s Myers-Briggs testing or other assessments, personality analysis is helpful to understand how colleagues take in information and make decisions. For instance, a “controller” is a person who’s decisive, fast moving and focused on results. Analytical or relationship-oriented people can be great managers, but not necessarily great leaders. There are also creative thinkers who have incredible ideas but lack focus. Understanding personality types can help leverage those differences to build productive teams, foster decision making and create long term success. - Sandy Pfaff, Director, Peppercom Strategic Communications

Q. What characteristic is most valuable for a woman’s career path? - Sarah Colwell,
CSU Sacramento

A: Figure out what you want, not just five years from now, but week-to-week and month-to-month. Think about people you can help who can help you get where you’d like to go. If you do that, it will help you with everything, from being responsive to your boss, to thinking ahead for a client – all of which reflects well on you.
- Ann Barlow, Partner & President, Peppercom Strategic Communications

As seen in this issue of Connections Magazine

Are you a young woman with a question for our experts?
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