If you are passed over for a promotion, it’s natural to feel upset. You might be angry at the new boss or the higher-ups who made the decision. Or you might feel depressed and wonder if your career has reached a dead end.
But you can also take a different, more positive route. “You can speak with a recruiter or your mentor about how to be a better candidate for the next position,” said Candice Lynch, customer support and services team lead at Southwest Airlines. “Remember that to be delayed in your career is not to be denied. As a woman in technology, you must always be your biggest cheerleader and motivate yourself to keep moving ahead.”
Lynch outlined her personal career story, and offered advice for women professionals seeking challenging and fulfilling roles in technology at an IAUG Wired “Women in Technology” session, “Delayed, Not Denied.” She noted that while the tech industry is a major driver of the global economy, there is still a tremendous gender gap.
“My journey into technology started as a girl working with my dad repairing cars, and reading user manuals,” Lynch said. “I was curious about how things worked, and wound up getting a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, my first love.”
But Lynch encountered challenges along the way. “My first college advisor told me to change majors,” she said. “Fortunately, my mother was very encouraging, and my next advisor introduced me to theoretical chemistry, which was exhilarating. That led to a role as a quality control chemist.”
Advice for professionals
In her talk, Lynch offered several tips for women professionals, with both practical steps and a focus on maintaining a positive mental attitude.
Set goals and expectations for yourself,” she said. “Think about what you want, then look at the timelines for reaching your goals. Do you have a feasible plan to reach them? Do you need an accountability partner to help you along the way.”
Once you have established a direction, you need to communicate your goals to others. “Some women think leaders can read your mind,” Lynch said. “But you have to tell others about what your desire in your career.”
Next, reach out to other professionals, taking advantage of networking and mentorship opportunities. “Building a supportive ecosystem is so important, because individual success does not happen in isolation, Lynch said. “Mentorship can be transformative for you. And don’t forget to be a mentor and help uplift those around you. This is a human need, not just a woman’s issue.”
If you are an introvert, you can take a low-key approach to networking. For instance, you could send an email requesting a 15-minute coffee chat about why you are interested in joining a tech team in your organization. You could also take part in an employee group, expanding your circle of professional colleagues or take an active role in a charitable initiative, Lynch said.
Other steps to advance your career include gaining a new technology certification or shadowing a fellow professional in a different field.
Along the way, you need to take care of yourself – physically, mentally and emotionally – Lynch said. “Women tend to be caretakers for others, but you have to recognize your own needs and make yourself a priority,” she said.
Finally, Lynch encouraged women professionals to avoid complacency. “You are working in one of the most exciting fields in the world,” she said. “Feed your curiosity, ready about new things, and if a door closes on you, then open a window and find a new opportunity.”
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