How to secure a Promotion in your early years of Practice: A Young Lawyer’s Guide
Working as a young lawyer in a commercial law firm in Nigeria, I noticed that many young lawyers struggle to secure a promotion in their early years of practice. One of the major reasons for this problem is the lack of transparency and structure in most law firms in Nigeria. As a result of this, young lawyers are left clueless as to how to secure a promotion. This usually results in young lawyers engaging in hard work which involves; keeping late nights, spending weekends at the office, taking more responsibilities than they can handle regularly, which ends up leaving young lawyers feeling overwhelmed from the stress and constant negative feedback. How can this issue be resolved? How can young practicing lawyers secure a promotion in their early years of practice? In answering this question, the saying “you have to work smart and not hard to succeed” comes to mind. This basically means that in order to secure a promotion, a young lawyer has to initiate ways to maximize his productivity level. It goes beyond spending late nights in the office on weekdays and weekends, there are some extra steps that need to be taken to ensure that you are headed in the right direction and considered for promotion. The steps are: ask the right questions, know when to ask these questions, volunteer for extra activities and learn how to satisfy your boss/supervisor. Ask the right questions As basic as this may sound, the first step in securing a promotion as a young lawyer is to ask your bosses/supervisors the right questions. Examples of these questions are: How am I fairing with work? Am I performing at the level expected of me? Is my performance at the level where my boss can give me additional responsibilities? These questions will proffer feedback that a young lawyer can develop or work with to better their skills and knowledge in the practice of law. The feedback given will provide guidance and direction to a young lawyer seeking to secure a promotion. If the feedback is negative, the next question that should be asked is, what can I do to improve? When the answer is given, you now have the responsibility of putting the feedback into effect in a way that’s demonstrable, by ensuring you deliver good legal work. This can be achieved by seeking help from your colleagues or immediate bosses, reading widely, asking questions to obtain clarity on a subject matter etc. This shows seriousness, resilience, and determination to succeed, which every employer loves to see in his employee and will definitely give a young lawyer an edge over his peers at the next quarter when promotions are being considered. If the feedback is positive, ensure that you maintain that level of excellence and even thrive to do better. Most people become comfortable when they get to certain levels in their career where they believe they are performing well. However, this can be dangerous as too much comfort breeds mediocrity. Know when to ask the right questions? The next step is realizing when to ask the questions and to achieve the best results from the question mentioned above. These questions have to be asked at the right time, which is usually at least 6 months before the next promotion quarter. For example, appraisals in your law firm are usually done in December and promotion lists released in January. A young lawyer should ask the above-mentioned questions in June/July of that year. This will afford the young lawyer ample time to improve his skills and work on the feedback received from their boss or supervisor before the next promotion quarter. Most young associates or lawyers tend to ask those questions after seeing the results of their yearly appraisals. Usually, this is too late because there is not enough time before the promotion list is released to improve your skills. If you have just secured a job in a law firm, you should be asking the above-mentioned questions after the first quarter or the first half of the year. Volunteer for extra responsibilities at work It is advised that young lawyers volunteer for extra responsibilities at work that will help showcase other skills a young lawyer may possess i.e. organizational skills, management skills. However, this should not be done to the detriment of your legal work at the office. Therefore, time management has to be applied to enable a proper balance between participating in extra activities and the ability to deliver legal work. It should also be noted that as a junior associate, the bulk of the work is your responsibility and as such your legal work should always be your primary responsibility. Learn how to satisfy your boss/supervisor I was once reprimanded by a Partner in my office for neglecting to keep him informed on every step I took while communicating with a Client on a particular matter, leaving him out of the loop. The thing about this was that I did not think it was necessary to inform him because nothing major had happened, however, the partner I was dealing with was particular about knowing everything that happens in this case. After reprimanding me he told me something that has stuck with me: “figure out the little things your boss likes, the way he likes his things done and ensure you do it that way”. He said that this little act goes a long way and will leave a lasting impression on your boss. My point is that as a young lawyer you are encouraged to study your boss to know his likes and dislikes with respect to work and do everything with enthusiasm to satisfy him with your delivery. These little acts can make you become one of your boss’s favorite and as a result, he may overlook your mistakes and also put in a good word for you when certain names are being considered for promotion. Are you a young professional who has a lesson to share? Let us know here.
Six Soft Skills to Help You Ace Your Next Interview
Imagine two people being interviewed for the position of customer support team manager. Both candidates have what it takes to deliver on a professional level, however one is more apt in relating with people based on his past behavior and the assessment of the interviewer. That is to say, he possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Who do you think will get the job? [bctt tweet=”Assess your ability and prepare ahead before going for the interview” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] A LinkedIn survey revealed that hiring managers look for candidates who in addition to skills and experience have the potential in performing the role. By potential, they mean the candidate’s own perspective and soft skill set that enables him to do the job effectively. They ranked the following six soft skills in order of their importance. Adaptability In today’s world, the business environment is continuously changing and so are highly effective organizations because any organization who does not or cannot adapt to the constant changes in the environment will either be left behind or fizzle out. As such, effective organizations seek candidates who can easily adapt to changes so they can remain competitive. According to the survey report, the most popular question hiring managers ask in this regard is: ‘Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something you had never done before. How did you react? What did you learn?’ Culture Add Hiring managers have been advised to seek candidates who are not only like them (culture fit) but also bring a different perspective to the table. Collaboration Candidates who can work well with and in teams are what hiring managers are looking for according to the survey. No one can achieve much working alone. Do you get along well with others?The survey says one question to expect from this area is: ’Tell me about a time when you were communicating with someone and they did not understand you. What did you do?’ Leadership Not only are leaders born, leaders can be made. Hone your ability to inspire, motivate and unleash the potential in others. One popular question according to the survey report hiring managers ask pertaining to leadership is: ‘Tell me about the last time something significant didn’t go according to plan at work. What was your role? What was the outcome?’ Growth Potential It is the ability of a candidate not only to perform on the current job but also in future and more prominent roles within the organization. Hiring managers have been told to look out for candidates who are goal oriented and self-motivated. Such candidates are said to have the ability for growth potential. Prioritization Candidates who can demonstrate that they know what task comes first and what task should be put to a later date have gotten their prioritization and time management skills right. This will help you meet deadlines and also increase your productivity. Besides the aforementioned soft skills, some hiring managers clearly spell out the soft skills they expect candidates to have for the role they are applying for. Assess your ability in terms of those skills and prepare ahead before going for the interview. Do you have some special skills you use for your business and career? Share it with us here.
Kim Windvogel: I love posting pictures of my body that is not the standardized idea of beauty
Kim Windvogel is an online writer who writes under the name Blazing Non-Binary. Being Non-Binary means that you are fluid in your gender. Kim believes that they can be masculine, feminine and all the other energies present on the gender spectrum. Their writing focuses on breaking the taboos of sex, of being fat, of loving yourself, of questioning identity and the experience called life. As a Non-Binary, they do a lot of panel discussion on representation and access. Kim who graduated with a degree in classical singing from the University of Cape Town is also the co-founder of a non- profit company called FemmeProjects NPC. In this article, the controversially inspirational, versatile creative, Kim Windvogel shares their story to becoming a gender activist and advocate for body positivism, among other things. Tell us about yourself I grew up in a home that supported me in my journey to form my own opinions about life and I think that is why I am as opinionated as I am. I went to predominantly white schools and this shaped a lot of my understanding when it comes to my experience of race relations in a post-apartheid country such as South Africa. What you do I co-founded a Non-Profit Company called FemmeProjects NPC. We go into schools and facilitate feminist sexual and menstrual health workshops to teenagers going through puberty. We help them understand what is going on with their bodies and allow them to ask the burning questions they are afraid to ask their parents for fear of judgment. Currently, I am working in collaboration with Women’s Net South Africa, Coloured Mentality and Soul City to create an online campaign around the 16 Days of activism. We are creating a #16waysfor16days campaign, calling on online users to showcase what they are doing to change the way they and the world treat gender marginalized people, calling on people to discuss this in their online and offline circles. As there is a big digital divide we have provided workshops to explain how social media works with various organizations in the weeks leading up to 16 days of activism. [bctt tweet=”I have a lot of feelings about the world and I knew that I needed to share that with people” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What inspired you to become a polygonal creative and what challenges have you faced in the creative industry? I had a lot to say and a lot of feelings about the world which needs to be shared with people. Specifically people in my country and my continent. I love posting pictures of my body that is not the standardized idea of beauty. Another passion of mine is writing about masturbation, self-love and being colored. Creating workshops for young women is my passion, the type of workshops I hoped to have had access to as a kid. If you are creative, you should have a responsibility to create and then to share that with the world so that others can go through the same stream of consciousness you went through. [bctt tweet=”I have been fat-shamed, body-shamed, and shamed for having bodily hair – @Blazingnonbinry” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I have faced challenges like being fat-shamed, body-shamed, shamed for having bodily hair. Other and more dominant challenges include being silenced in spaces I thought were safe enough to talk about the issues that gender non-binary people experience daily. Representation for genderfluid people is lacking and therefore, I decided to take my power and to write my own story. That is the power of social media. We should all seize that power. Tell us more about FEMME and all about the work the organization is involved in Femme is a rough acronym that stands for Freedom of Education Motivates Empowerment. We create workshops for young people about puberty, mentorship, and their potential career paths. We hand out menstrual cup which is a sustainable sanitary product that is made out of medical grade silicone and lasts for 5 years. This means that learners do not have to miss school due to lack of resources. We train other facilitators to go out into their own communities and to do the same empowerment we do with them. Femme is my baby and I co-direct it with two wonderful partners, Loren Loubster and Kelly Koopman of coloured mentality What do you enjoy most about the path that you have chosen? I get to live the type of life I always wanted to lead, speak my mind and manage my own time (which is a very difficult thing if you are not disciplined!). I get to meet the most amazing people who are on the same journey to try and change the world in their own way. What are you most proud of in all that you’ve achieved so far? I am proud of my self-published anthology: Resist: The Paradox of Love and Other Societal Disorders. I wrote and curated it, but had someone who assisted with the layout and an amazing illustrator who did the cover illustration. The work that is included in this collection was written over a period of three years. Some of the pieces are old and some I wrote two days before going to print. I organized my own launch and was surrounded by people who enjoy poetry and who listened intently as I shared my story. I am proud that an introvert like me (someone who writes predominantly online) brought people together and shared their work in person. It took so much out of me and I didn’t know that I had the courage, but just when you think you cannot do something out of fear, it is that same fear that drives you towards success. I am also proud that in 3 years of running Femme we have facilitated 4000 learners, registered our own Non-Profit, opened a business bank account, and that we are all people of color blazing the trail for those who come after us. What future plans do you have for your career as a creative and for the work you do
5 ways to Enjoy Your Wack Contract Job
[bctt tweet=”Quit thinking the reason you’re not doing well right now is that you don’t get so much pay” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The most common jobs in Nigeria right now are ones gotten from a third-party company that is signed to provide employees for various employers. While I worked at one, I found that the reason employer companies choose the option of contract staffs is to reduce its expenses and improve profitability. A full-time employee may get a 50% raise from your salary, including HMO(Health) benefits. This is even more annoying for contract staffs because they do more of the work but have fewer benefits, up until the length of days to go on leave. However, there’s always a way to have the life you want regardless of the situation presented to you. [bctt tweet=”The vision you have for yourself should drive your passion for what you do now” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Know who you are This is nothing about your desires or visions – at least not for the purpose of this article. What makes you tick? Deep down your heart, what’s the core of your strength? The real test to enjoying your job, and your life, is to know who you are. Although the search of identity may be an ongoing process, there’s a core of you that reveals your truth in whatever situation you find yourself. Everything you believe yourself to be should not be dependent on anything else but you. Once you can identify who you are, it would facilitate the emergence of what you’d like to experience. [bctt tweet=”The true value of your job is not dependent on your position, but your personality.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Change your cognitive experience The natural cognitive of man is attracted to negative situations that appeal to his senses. So for example, you get to find out the extra benefits due to full-time staffs in your company and it freaks you out (it should), it is only normal that you begin to take it out on your daily routine, colleagues and even your line managers. Two years after my experience as a contract staff in a financial institution, I was appraised and suggested to be converted into a full-time staff. I was excited when my line manager hinted me on this new development and was waiting for the big announcement. To my greatest disappointment, when my appraisal form got to the office in charge, my group head was summoned and asked, “Who would you like to be retrenched in order to approve Adesewa’s conversion?” Confused, she responded, “nobody”. “Well, because the company cannot afford the cost for another full-time employee,” they disclosed. It was a great consolation to have known that the reason for the default was a lack of the company’s capacity, not mine. If this happened to you, I know you would freak out, and probably drop your resignation notice to go somewhere you’ll be ‘celebrated, not tolerated’. Just calm down! LOL! The quality of the delivery of your duties should be influenced by positivity. Contract jobs hardly come with motivations. Thus, you must always find a way around it. While you have a plan to quit, be deliberately positive about your daily dealings. The more positivity you exude, the greater the attraction for more. If it doesn’t happen for you in this job, it would somewhere else. Create value for your personality One of the many reasons people want to be in the full-staff cadre is so that the company can place value on them. The true value of your job is not dependent on your position, but your personality. Quit thinking the reason you’re not doing well right now is that you don’t get so much pay. Your pay may not equal your plan, but it does not necessarily influence the core of you, except you want it to. So, during a knowledge sharing session at your company or a proposal pitch, you have the platform to ‘show yourself’. Yes! Flaunt the stuff you’re made of! This is not PRIDE; it is PURPOSE-ON-DELIVERY. Always look for opportunities to reveal who you are asides from being the “front desk officer” or “cashier”. Profer solutions to problems. That’s what employers want to see. Even though it may likely not buy your conversion as a staff, it would increase your value as a person. You are first a person before being someone’s staff. Work at it! Work experience is in phases, enjoy this one A young entrepreneur who also works as an employee reached out to me one day. She shared all her frustrations as to how she was not getting fulfilments with her job. She mentioned how she knew this was not what she signed up for her life and all. The truth is, at every point in life, we get bored. This is not just a contract thing, stop blaming it on the job. Because guess what, even if you were full time, you would still get bored. All days are not the same, and all work experiences are in phases. You have to learn the art of enjoying the phases by creating systems that work for you. At the financial job experience I told you about, every week became annoying because there had to be something new to do – things that were way out of the initial job description(JD). Whichever way I felt did not matter to the company, the job had to be done anyway. And the only way to be happy with your job is to be happy with you, knowing that this is only a phase. You would get involved in better things and greater opportunities, so if you want to make your life count, you have to do it right. Always work with the end in view You know, many times, we are motivated in the present by having a vision of what’s to come. Doing your job with the end in mind is one sure way to enjoy what you’re doing currently. So, pending the time you
Mo Abudu: It’s an honor that people liken my work to that of Oprah Winfrey
Mo Abudu is one of Africa’s most successful women. She is a media giant for Africa in broadcasting, an entrepreneur, and a talk show host. She is the founder of Ebonylife TV, an African multi-broadcast entertainment network, that portrays Africa at its best. Over the years she has created a signature brand that resonated with black audiences both in Africa and its diaspora. Described as Africa’s very own Oprah’, Mo is keen in her resolve to rewrite Africa’s story. We learn more about her journey and of her trending project (Sisterhood awards) for African women in the industry, that is empowering women to work together to accomplish great things while also celebrating women who have excelled in laudable achievements’ Ebony life is a contributor to the Annual Discop Africa and we caught up with the station in presenting its projects with the rest of Africa in exposing African content to the rest of the world. What’s your background, and why business? I was born in the U.K to Nigerian parents. I moved to Lagos in 1993 and spent more than a decade in the corporate world, where I launched a consulting firm, and later a hotel. However, my love for film and telling African stories brought me to a totally different ball game. I found myself working towards Ebony life TV channel and films. There are so many African stories that are yet to be told”. “Let’s take these stories to the world now, that’s the journey we’re on,” says Mo. How difficult is it to own and run and whole TV station? It’s been just over a decade since I launched the ritzy entertainment and lifestyle network, Ebony life channel in eastern Nigeria. I have now opened a new studio in Lagos, the country’s entertainment and media capital. For me, it has been all about keeping with a philosophy passion and love. [bctt tweet=”There are so many African stories that are yet to be told – @MoAbudu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You are often nicknamed the “ Oprah of Africa”, why do you think people call you that? In 2013 I had decided to put my investments and time to the launch of my network, Ebony Life TV. It was the first fully Nigerian-owned entertainment channel to be carried on the South African pay-tv platform – DStv. Many take my work and development in the broadcasting industry as a following in Oprah’s footsteps. It’s an honor that they liken my work and journey to that of Oprah Winfrey. My contributions and work in the range of original reality programming, drama series, and news magazines may be the outline that makes people compare me with Oprah, I guess. Also, talk shows have somehow resonated with black audiences both in Africa and its diaspora. Ebony Life now airs in the U.K. and the Caribbean. It is soon to be airing in the U.S. and Canada. Who are the inspiring people you’ve come across on this journey? In 2006 I launched “Moments with Mo,” it then became the first syndicated daily talk show in the continent. I’ve sat across from a remarkable range of guests, from Nigerian Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka to fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg, and even then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. [bctt tweet=”In 2013, I put my investments and time to the launch of Ebony Life TV – @MoAbudu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is your vision for creating African content in broadcasting and film? We have many African stories that are yet to be told. When I first approached DStv with the proposition that Africa was ripe for its own Oprah Winfrey or Ellen DeGeneres show, I had already planned for a global TV channel opportunity. I explored channel possibilities with SKY in the UK and knew that I needed a big platform to project Africa in a different, more positive light. This was what incited me to start thinking of establishing Ebonylife TV and take African Stories to the world. The network’s global ambitions, sums up with the tagline “Made in Nigeria for the world”, tell us more about that? To address this, Ebonylife TV last year partnered with Disney to co-produce “Desperate Housewives Africa,” which drew rave reviews across the continent. Ebonylife TV has acquired the rights to “Dynasty” and “Melrose Place” from CBS Intl, and we are the next seasons of “Housewives.” We want an increased African audience to be glued to the same TV shows as their friends and family overseas. Tell us about the release of the movie “Fifty”? The movie “Fifty,” was Ebonylife TV’s first feature film, which was picked up by Netflix and released worldwide. The film was showcased four successful career women facing difficult midlife crises. “Fifty” is a film that reflects my broader desire to tap into unaccustomed narratives of Africa — and African women in particular. [bctt tweet=”We’re celebrating women who work together to accomplish great things – @MoAbudu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us about the Ebonylife TV Sisterhood Awards you’re hosting. This is what we have established annually to empower women to work together to accomplish great things and seek to celebrate women who have excelled in laudable achievements. The Ebonylife Sisterhood Awards was launched during my 50th birthday celebration in September 2014. The event was themed – “Mo @ 50, Celebrating sisterhood”, it was a celebration of the deserving, but unsung women in the society. Women not often celebrated or celebrated enough, but who are making significant impacts in their particular areas of influence. We recognize awardees based on their demonstration of excellence, commitment, innovativeness, integrity, and national impact. Do you have any career lessons to share? Let us know here.
South Africa’s Digital Womxnist – Owethu Makhathini
Owethu is beyond a force to be reckoned with. This incredible Google Certified genius is taking over the digital sphere by holding workshops and talks across the country through her consultancy, Makhathini Media – which provides innovative ways to show young women how they can advance their careers using digital marketing. Owethu created her platform to upskill young business-minded women and show others how you can liberate women through social media. Let’s take a look at Owethu’s journey on how she is making a difference in empowering women while making her mark in the digital industry. Tell us more about Makhathini Media? Makhathini Media is a creative consultancy that specializes in offering tailored digital marketing and ICT training. We tailor the content depending on the needs of the client, not just for young people but for large corporates and government parastatals. We have a long way to go in terms of digital literacy. I want to ultimately be in a position to fund creative projects, upskill people in digital skills, facilitate networking events and help big brands and businesses create compelling, perception-shifting work. What projects do you have up your sleeve? I have 2 very special projects coming up and I couldn’t be more excited! One ties into the focus of the business which is the training aspect while the other ties into the secondary goal of the business which is creating a community underpinned by the restorative power of sisterhood. We hope to create networks of women who inspire, uplift and collaborate with each other. 2018 is going to an exciting year for Makhathini Media! The media industry has predominantly been male-dominated. How do you navigate this reality as a woman and leader in the digital industry? If we are being honest, most industries are male-dominated. Patriarchy is maintained and is a tool of capitalism, that much is inescapable. I am fortunate that in the digital marketing space, one has the power to create a platform that can exist to challenge mainstream ideas. Business is ruthless and as a young, black woman there are additional challenges we face to get into the room and be taken seriously, never mind having a seat at the table. As a businesswoman, you have to be able to stand in your truth and create an ecosystem of women that look like you to collaborate and make money with. There definitely is strength in numbers. [bctt tweet=”Young women are the most receptive to skills training- @owethumack ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How has the process and reception of educating the youth on the digital sphere been? Young women are the most receptive to skills training. They are often the ones that already have small-scale businesses running from home who just need a boost of knowledge. I have had mostly young women come up to me after my sessions to share their stories or to thank me for showing them that someone as young as them has found a niche and is making a business around it. The project I am initiating in 2018 will attend to the needs of the young women who have attended one of my sessions. There is a need that must be met and I feel that I am the perfect position to facilitate it. It is very humbling, inspiring and truthfully, it is what keeps me going when I feel overwhelmed. Can digital marketing play a role in liberating women, especially in South Africa? Firstly, the internet is a borderless place, we are able to share ideas across the world in a matter of moments. This means that even if you feel isolated in your geographical area, you can find a community of like-minded individuals by simply searching for those people online. Secondly, the information shared online can make people aware of the organizations that exist to help women out of situations where they feel helpless. Thirdly, digital marketing is a business opportunity. If a woman is being financially abused, she is able to run a small business through WhatsApp or social media, therefore getting practical help. [bctt tweet=”The internet is a borderless place & digital marketing is a business opportunity” – @owethumack username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] As a mentor to other women, who do you go to for inspiration and why? My great-grandmother, grandmothers, and my mother. Outside of my family, I look up to the Knowles sisters, Oprah Winfrey, Nunu Ntshingila, Zodwa Khumalo, Khanyi Dhlomo and Bonang Matheba. I grew up in a matriarchal family with women who were equally strong and soft. They provided a firm foundation that I have built my version of womanhood on. The women in my family are not too different from women around the world. We are resilient because we must be. We are people who can get things done without disregarding our empathy. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into your line of work? I would say take yourself on as a project. Critically assess where you fall short, unpack the ways you dishonor yourself and show yourself grace. As women, we are socialized to constantly give and made to feel selfish when we finally erect boundaries. Make sure you have boundaries and a standard for your life, don’t ever compromise yourself for the comfort of another because you aren’t giving from a place of love but from a place of obligation which leads down a path of resentment. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Thulisile Gama: I get paid to play with sand
“I remember when I had just started as a junior metallurgist, I had to give an operational instruction to one of the teams. A man from the team told me that he will not take an instruction from a woman. I was shocked!”- says ‘Mining Powerhouse’, Thulisile Gama, who is making a name for herself in the Mining and Metals sector. Thulisile holds a BSc Metallurgical Engineering degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a Senior Metallurgist at Tronox KZN Sands. She has served as chairperson of Tronox Women’s Network, a global network aimed at supporting the professional development of women in engineering. She is a mentor to young girls, particularly those from the rural areas. Dressed in stuffy, hot overalls with big safety boots on, climbing high staircases of tall metal equipment, with temperatures higher than 1000oC, her work environment is not an easy one at all!. “I get paid to play with sand!”, she says playfully. What made you choose your field of work and what has made you stay in it so far? Mining is the backbone of South Africa’s economy. I joined this industry because I am passionate about natural resources and I wanted to be part of the bigger picture. There is never a dull moment. From supply-demand dynamics of different commodities, advancement in technology, or the status of the global economy, each day brings something new. All these changes affect the industry and as engineers, we are forced to implement more innovative solutions to ensure the survival of companies. I enjoy the variety of work and the daily challenges that my job provides. [bctt tweet=” Confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness are key aspects for women to be heard.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Take us through what you do on a typical day at work. There is never a ‘typical’ day at work and that’s what I like about my job. One day I find myself sitting in long strategic meetings, and the next day I am offering solutions to process issues at the plant. Each morning I review the production of the previous day and ensure that the quantity and quality are within specification. Initiating and identifying continuous improvement ideas that will save cost is also something that I incorporate into my daily decision-making and thinking. [bctt tweet=”I constantly remind myself that as women, we have the same thinking ability as men.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How do you manage to get your opinions heard in a room full of male engineering experts? If I’m invited to a meeting, I believe that my technical skills and opinions are needed and I deserve to be there. One thing that I constantly remind myself of is that as women, we have the same thinking ability as men. When voicing my opinion, I make sure that I do not allow myself to be interrupted in the process. Confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness are key aspects of being heard as women. Some studies have found that women tend to leave their engineering careers after some time. Why do you think this is the case? A lack of female role models in mining is a major contributor to female engineers leaving the industry. Having role models who are the same gender as you, who have walked the same path can go a long way. For us women to influence the world of mining, we need to to be more accommodating of females and build a network of solidarity. It is important for women to support other women and serve as mentors to young girls. In South Africa, mining companies have been driving to up their female employee numbers by offering women bursaries. Sometimes, women study engineering only because they are offered a bursary. I’ve seen this happening especially to African people from disadvantaged communities who cannot afford to fund their own studies. Some realize only when they start work that engineering is not for them and quit. [bctt tweet=”For us women to influence the world of Mining, we need to build a network of solidarity.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How can young women interested in the mining industry better prepare themselves for a career as a metallurgist? For young females who are interested in pursuing metallurgy as a career, I would say ‘go for it!’ It is a challenging environment but with lots of opportunities. When I started work, I didn’t want to acknowledge the gender barrier but I have come to see my gender as a strength and I now focus on leveraging it. Invest time in researching about this field. Enter this industry because of passion, not money, and find yourself a mentor or role model. Having an engineering degree doesn’t mean that you are not going to crawl and get dirty. You need to work your way up the ranks, starting at the bottom. It’s also important to be teachable. Be keen to learn and take the initiative to do so. Focus on building strong fundamentals when you start as a junior, you’ll need those as you progress in your career. How do you let your hair down after a long week of solving complex engineering problems and ‘playing with sand’? I spend time with my awesome son and read a lot when I’m not at work. I enjoy the outdoor life, exploring new places and different cultures. Running also liberates me. Also, I have a passion for fashion and I’m planning to start my own clothing line in the near future! Do you have a business or career story to share? Share your story here.
Sandy Dorsey: 10 Things Every Aspiring Speech Language Pathologist Should Know
Sandy Dorsey, MA, CCC-SLP has spent over 15 years as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). An SLP is a highly trained professional who evaluates and treats, children and adults, who have speech (coordinating sound to talk) and language (understanding others and/or expressing thoughts and feelings) disorders, as well as difficulties swallowing. Sandy’s journey as an SLP started out as a simple case of curiosity. As a young girl, her uncle Henry developed Alzheimer’s disease, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why he struggled with communication. She took that curiosity to the next level later on in life and entered Howard University to major in Speech-Language Pathology. During this time, she became the President of the National Student Speech and Hearing Association; her active involvement with the American Speech Language and Hearing Association led her to being offered a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Sandy later went on to become the founder of All About Speech LLC; a professional Speech-Pathology practice that focuses on the individual’s strengths and has helped countless individuals ranging from young children to seniors with a wide range of speech-language and swallowing disorders. Sandy approaches each client with the belief that no two cases are the same and believes in taking a holistic approach to accurately assess and personalize each therapy plan. Patience, persistence and her upbeat personality helps her clients succeed in meeting their goals. This past July, Sandy’s commitment for helping others prompted her to start a non-profit organization, Smiles for Speech Inc. ; which provides speech, language and educational resources, as well as oral care items for children in impoverished communities. It’s safe to say her life and work are intricately entwined. Sandy has found that to be a successful Speech Language Pathologist, one should know the following: What you learn at school may feel very different on the job If you are a new grad, it is normal to feel that you don’t know everything at your first job. Graduate externships are a great first step in learning, the expectation to be independent changes everything. It is not until you are officially working that you feel the weight and responsibilities that come with your managing your time effectively with a big caseload and report deadlines. This is why the clinical fellowship year (CFY) is so important. To be a certified SLP, you must have 9 months of supervised work after graduate school and pass the Praxis in order to be licensed and certified. So, don’t panic, learn as much as you can from your supervisor and remember you know a lot more than you think you do! Gather as much information as you can on each child/client you work with Approach the client in a holistic way. At Sandy’s first job working with teenagers in Harlem, New York, in the late 90’s, many children had parents that had a limited education and/or working multiple jobs with very little time, which made them unable to offer their child the academic support they need at home to really excel in school. Therefore at times before therapy can begin and to truly be effective, in the morning you may have to provide breakfast for the children if they came to school hungry. So, make a brief assessment of any conditions that may affect their therapy session. Some things may not change for example, the discomfort of not wearing a clean shirt or shoes that fit properly. But talking about these challenges and discoveries is often very much needed to begin to break the barrier to success. Adopt a positive attitude When it comes to this career path, you will need loads of patience, compassion, and self-motivation to succeed. You have to be able to offer support and nurture your clients, while firmly encouraging them to move forward to achieve their goals. You will also need a positive attitude in order to encourage and motivate individuals not to give up. It is not easy to be vulnerable and children can be easily frustrated. Therefore it is up to you to make it fun and push enough for progress, but know the limits that may lead to the individual giving up. Everyone wants to feel successful, so being that cheerleader ready to celebrate every small gain, especially when the progress may be slow, is key! Always be prepared with the materials needed and have a backup plan When you are first starting out as a new therapist, you may not have materials available to you, depending on the setting. For this reason, you need to build up your go-to materials to keep on hand, based on the population you are serving. Also, always bring more than you think you may need in your therapy session, in case you have to change something on the spot. You may think a new activity will work, but you don’t know until you try. Being prepared is always best! Working with children and adults alike, you want to be ready for any surprises or glitches. With experience, you will learn how to quickly adapt and modify as you go, but starting off, it is much better to have a supply of your own materials that you are already comfortable working with. Teachers pay teachers is a great resource for getting materials that you can print and that are more DIY, so you don’t need to buy everything which can tend to get pricey. Be an advocate With so many professionals involved in the care of your client, remember you are the expert in this field. You must be an advocate for your clients and speak up for what you think is right. Especially when you work with communication and clients that may not be able to speak for themselves. If you feel that an individual needs extra support outside of your scope of practice, be sure to refer them. We are the eyes and ears for our clients, especially with children
It’s okay, being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone
You know how some women profess to never having felt that maternal urge or instinct and they just know being a mum isn’t for them? Well, not everyone should be an entrepreneur either. I believe more women need to hear this. In this day and age, it almost seems like if you’re not thinking of running your own business, with the whole uncertainty in the job market bit, then something is off with you. Maybe not. At the end of the day, if you see yourself as more of a technocrat for instance, that’s fine. There are certainly other ways to make your mark in the world. [bctt tweet=”So don’t stress, and don’t get pressured if building your own business is just not your cup of tea.” username=”MercedesAlfa”] Let’s be real. Being an entrepreneur is a lot. It starts with having a clearly-defined vision of what you are looking to accomplish, and then requires working tirelessly to achieve that. It really is okay if you are one to help others build their dreams. Some people are leaders, some are builders, some are followers, some are supporters. Being able to identify who you are at all the different stages of your life is gold. Besides all that, there actually is a difference between being self-employed and being an entrepreneur. Think about it. Some people prefer to work for themselves because of benefits such as flexibility and independence. However, it does not necessarily mean you are cut out for taking on huge risks that come with starting a business. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s focus on what you can do to continue Slaying: Discover Your Strengths If you’re not entirely sure what you’re good at, you could ask people who work closely with you to point out some of your strengths. What are those things that come naturally to you? It could be things like negotiating or communicating, or maybe you’re good with numbers or mediating issues. As soon as you discover your strengths, you should capitalize on them to help you stand out and propel yourself in your career. Acquire the hottest skills on the job market Keep on top of your game by updating your work skills. Make sure you’re marketable and an asset in whatever capacity you operate in. Make wise investments Your youthful years are a great time to make investments that you can fall back on in the future. We know Instagram and Snapchat are brimming with what might seem like the good life, but remember it’s more important to spend your income wisely rather than try to keep up with the Kardashians. Look out for a great savings plan which offers good returns. You could begin looking at taking out a mortgage or investing in real estate, stocks, bonds and so on. Be sure to do your research and speak to a financial adviser before you get your feet wet. Moral of this story? You’re a hot commodity all on your own, so don’t let people tell you any different. It’s so okay, being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone. Do you have an interesting career story to share with us? Let us know more here.
5 Career Lessons to Learn from Aisha Ahmad
The Nigerian political and financial industry are abuzz with news of the newly appointed Deputy Governor of its apex bank, Aisha Ahmad. Aisha was Head of Consumer and Privilege Banking at Diamond Bank as well as the Chairperson Executive Council at Women in Management, Business and Public Service- WIMBIZ. Now… to get past the screening in the senate is no easy feat! I as well as many others consider this a major milestone. At 41 Aisha has a solid 20 years of work experience in the financial sector. She is a member of Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). How did she climb her way up the career ladder? Let’s find out. Give your best contribution wherever you find yourself Nothing attracts attention better than a job well done. As Aisha puts it, “what has worked over the years has been a focus on doing my very best in the current job”. Hard work and diligence is required to flesh out the best of what you can offer, and before you know it, that promotion you seek, or the door of opportunity you never imagined, will open up! Have a strong work ethic Without a strong work ethic, you might not find yourself climbing higher up the career ladder. Simply put, most people will not recommend or trust someone who is not consistent, reliable and hard working. A strong work ethic is a must if you want to see positive outcomes in your career. It begins with being professional in the way you dress; producing an excellent job output, and your relationship with others. Aisha credits her mom for inspiring a strong work ethic in her. Follow your talents and abilities Time and again, it’s been emphasized that doing what you are good at helps you achieve success. Therefore, consider pursuing a career and seeking roles which match your abilities and skills. Aisha has been able to find herself consistently at the top because, she began and continues to work in a sector where her talents, creativity, skills and competencies come to life. Life becomes more meaningful when you find yourself in a place where you are better able to express your innate gifts. Follow role models in your field Aisha spoke to some participants at a seminar on succeeding in their career, and she mentioned finding role models in your field who have achieved the growth you seek and learning from them, as one of the tips to succeeding. Be deliberate about your growth Being in her early forties and having twenty years of experience makes me infer that she started quite early on, and in addition, was deliberate about where she is headed. Every day is an opportunity for us to sharpen our skills ;who knows how tomorrow might open up to us.We should be preparing today for tomorrow. Aisha says,“never make assumptions or leave your career development solely in the hands of your employer”. Therefore, be deliberate and intentional about your growth, don’t leave it to chance! Photo source: The Guardian Nigeria Do you have any career lessons to share? Let us know here.