“There are so many opportunities out there – you just have to find them – no matter your age, gender or nationality. Being a woman shouldn’t stop you from achieving your dream.”
All through university I heard people talking about the glass ceiling women face in their careers – or concrete ceiling in my line of work! And maybe that’s part of the problem – that women are often assumed to start careers with limited expectations. However, from my experience this is not the case. It is not an easy ascent, but in my view the concrete ceiling can be surmounted and you can be as successful as you want to be.
Here are some of the lessons I’ve picked up along the way to help make the best of your career.
1.
Get a mentor – or 2!
Having someone to talk to about your career progression is invaluable. Meeting
senior professionals that have followed a similar path is a great way to pick
up tips on how to avoid the common pitfalls and navigate your career
successfully.
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
As a young woman in construction, I have had men disregard my ideas, only to
suggest it later and claim it as their own. While it’s not a regular
occurrence, being disregarded used to affect me. I soon realised there’s no
point getting upset. It’s better to focus your energy on learning from your
mistakes, structuring all your points and talking to the right people.
3. Travel!
Gain international experience and learn about other cultures and people. It
definitely helps being able to connect with your client when you know and
understand their culture and beliefs. As a consultant at Bruceshaw, we add
value through bespoke professional advice that respects the diversity of our
client base. Interacting with people and knowing how to communicate with them
is a valuable skill.
4. Join in
Whether it’s joining the social club or volunteering to join a task force that
is out of your area of expertise , every extra activity provides the
opportunity to meet and network with people you don’t usually work with.
5. Don’t underestimate yourself
After receiving two awards, I regretted that I hadn’t been more proactive about
applying for awards or scholarships sooner. This applies to work experience too
– apply for jobs while you are still studying to get on the career ladder
faster. You need to trust your abilities, take a leap of faith and apply! You
could be the best candidate – but you will never know until you try!
6. Personal branding
LinkedIn is an amazing tool. Use it! Connect with clients and colleagues, have
discussions on current topics in your area of expertise and look for new
opportunities when the need arises. Joining networking seminars and attending
expos are an excellent way to get your name and brand out there.
7. Don’t give up
Although I don’t have any children yet, I’d like put it out there that having
children shouldn’t be the reason your career stalls. We have a number of female
role models to look up to who are all highly capable at their jobs – working
smarter with less procrastination and more planning to balance their work and
home lives. Explore your options – freelancer, flexitime, part time or
work from home, and find one that works for you.
8. Goal Setting
Setting goals and writing them down will help you achieve them faster. If you
wander around aimlessly waiting for opportunities to come by, you might never
get there. A positive, action–oriented approach is best.
9. If you have a problem, say something.
Don’t let problems fester. Work towards a solution – approach a person who can
help or organise a meeting senior management if need be. More often than not,
there is a vested interest in trying to fix the problem and help enhance your
skills.
10. Do something you enjoy
This is a lot easier said than done. At the start of your career you could be
given tasks that seem tedious and boring, but that’s all part of learning –
start at the bottom and work your way up. Be proactive – if you see a project
that excites you, raise your hand and ask if you can be involved. If not,
asking still shows your interest and chances are, you’ll be considered when a
similar project comes up again.
Life is full of challenges but there are great rewards for persevering too. Times are changing, opinions are evolving and prejudices are slowly disappearing. Added to this are new technologies available to make our lives and jobs easier. Being a woman in construction isn’t the barrier it used to be and I don’t believe there is a glass (or concrete) ceiling anymore. I strongly feel that with determination, a clear goal and strong work ethic you will realise your potential. There are so many opportunities out there – you just have to find them – no matter your age, gender or nationality. Being a woman shouldn’t stop you from achieving your dream.
Written By Gail Royston