Think, plan and intentionally work towards your career goals: Jane Egerton-Idehen
Jane Egerton-Idehen is the founder of womenncareers. A platform that supports women globally in growing their careers through career advice, practical tips, tools and resources from different female executives She is an accomplished Executive of thriving divisions within two Fortune 500 firms, as well as an advisor, spokesperson, and board member of nonprofit organizations. Jane Egerton-Idehen is also an expert in the Telecommunication industry with over seventeen years of experience. She is currently the country manager Nigeria for an international satellite company, Avanti communications limited. Recently she was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s “50 Leading Ladies in Corporate Nigeria” by Leading Ladies Africa. She has an MBA from the University of Warwick and an Executive Education from Havard Business School. In this article, SLA contributor Anwuli speaks to Jane Egerton-Idehen as she talks about her impact on young women as she’s helping them in their career growth. Since founding Women and Careers, what unique challenges have you helped women tackle in their growing careers? Since starting Women and Careers, we have seen a lot of awareness about issues facing women as they grow their career. Most women in their mid-careers, are seeking skills and a support system to help them grow their careers while they manage their home and family. While the single ladies are seeking to combine a career with building family relations and obligations. I have noticed that most women in the early part of their career need guidance and some form of mentoring to guide them as they grow. To consciously invest in developing themselves and maneuvering the dynamics of the office place. These challenges form a wide spectrum from like microaggression at work to lacking sponsorships for leadership roles. We also have the impact of the patriarch in the workplace and society at large. There are also common ones like work-life balance. I recognize that we need to talk more about these issues, share our stories and support each other through the journey What level of progress has Women and Careers achieved in reaching out to women globally? Since officially starting in 2017, Women and career has taken our passion to a larger audience. Our passion is to support women to grow their careers and encourage young girls to start one. We have touched a lot of lives through our events and activities. We also celebrate a lot of women who are successfully paving a way in their fields no matter how unpopular those sectors or industries are. WomenNcareers has worked with outside organizations to discuss these challenges women are facing bringing awareness to them and making sure relevant stakeholders are involved to support in addressing these issues. We have co-sponsored events like TEDXAjegunle women, Sozo Networks Before I Turn 18 program for teenagers. To reach out to women and young girls in underserved areas. We have just finished a mentoring program for young female undergraduates at the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa Ghana. Our hope is that this can inspire and motivate a lot of women to work their paths as well. What kind of support would women starting their careers in STEM fields need from professionals in the field? Firstly Organizations need to be more deliberate about the pipeline problem especially in STEM fields. Data shows that women are still underrepresented at the entry levels. This requires that companies relook at their hiring process. A study by Women Matter states that; Men are often hired and promoted based on their potential, while women are often hired and promoted based on their track record. This may be particularly acute for women at the start of their careers when their track records are relatively short. Secondly, we noticed a lot of leakages when it comes to female talent in the STEM fields. Women starting their careers in the industry need a lot of support from the organizations they work to ensure they grow their careers in the field. Quite a lot of them leave the field when they start getting married and probably having kids. One of the main challenges is managing their young family with the continuously demanding professional life. Organizations can consider flexible working hours. They can consider maternity and post-maternity policies that are supportive of such women. I would also recommend women in this phase seek a lot of support from loved ones and seek mentors that can guide them to navigate this phase. Metaphorically I would relate the discussion about Women in STEM fields to what Charles Blow, an American Journalist for the New York Times, once said; It requires that you fight on two fronts; trying to reduce the size of the hill and climbing the hill – Jane Egerton-Idehen This is how I have always felt about women who try to grow their careers in the STEM fields. I have come to acknowledge that it is a constant battle to have this. With all the challenges, they must face, it feels like climbing a hill. It needs to be recognized that we ( Policymakers, Corporate organizations, etc) need to reduce the hill for women who in the past century have started to branch into these fields where the rules of engagement were created with male folks in mind. What lessons can other women take from your journey when they feel discouraged? I would say “your career is a marathon and not a race so don’t beat yourself up”. Life will throw you curveballs, There will be highs and lows. There will be upward movement and sometimes lateral career moves. Learn to keep pushing forward no matter what. Be in the driver seat when it comes to your career. Most times we look for a boss, organization, etc to cart our career path. We should learn to intentionally think, plan and work towards our career goals. How do you effectively combine work, pursuing your passion and the home front? Whatever we feed or spend time in, grows. One of the secrets is daring to be bad at somethings
High-Level Networking 101: How to Spark a Conversation that can Lead to Long Term Impact
Everyone knows that high-level networking is a critical part of building a successful business, project, or brand. Decision-makers at all levels want to feel confident in the person they are hiring or bringing on board for their projects, and in many cases, all it takes is one chance meeting to seal the deal. It is also common knowledge that high-level networking is awkward. That uncomfortable feeling of scanning a room and deciding who to walk up to, what to say, and how to present yourself. High-Level Networking is a true art form, that requires both practice, and trial and error in order to find your own secret sauce. I attend lots of events, so I am always on the giving and receiving end of that first greeting. Dress your best, be unique and spark confidence: Simply put, when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, your confidence shines through. Need I say more? I also recommend wearing something unique that grabs the attention of others. In my case, I typically wear one of my custom made African pieces because it’s both flattering, and also always acts as a conversation starter allowing me to share a bit about myself right off the bat. You may have an article of clothing or accessory that always gets complimented, wear that and it will almost always serve as an icebreaker. Do your homework Make sure you find out as much about the event as you can before going. Who is organizing it, who is attending and what opportunities are you looking for? Prepare different pitches you can potentially deliver to attendees, bring the appropriate materials (brochures, pens, business cards, etc), and focus on your goals. Knowing what you want to say and showing up prepared will increase your confidence, showcase your level of seriousness and leave little room for frivolity. Be natural, not transactional and pushy People like to joke, smile, converse and mingle without feeling pressure, and the most impactful connections start like that. You want people to be attracted to your personality, and not feel hounded by business right from the get-go. The key is to place an emphasis on relationship building. Earlier this year at a crowded event, I ended up sitting next to a lovely woman, sharing a few laughs over coffee while the event carried on. Later, I learned that she is a very high ranking official at the UN, but our relationship had already been solidified in a friendly, convivial tone. When you get to the event, go get yourself a drink or a snack, relax. Don’t focalize on the VIPs. Please, you do not want to be the first one to bumrush the speakers after they immediately after they finish their presentation- they will not remember you. I have watched attendees wait fifteen-thirty minutes for their chance to simply say hello or offer their praises to my clients, wasting an opportunity to make more meaningful connections in the room. If you would like to introduce yourself to one of the heavy hitters, patiently wait your turn. Know what you want to say, find a reason to follow up, and find the best method to get in touch. Have an appropriate business card etiquette. Effective networking is not about collecting or distributing a million cards, so the first thing you do should never be to hand out or ask for a business card. After you have established a connection and potential for collaboration, that is a good time to hand them your card. If they do not have one, but you wish to follow up, ask them for their email address or phone number on the spot. If that does not happen, connect immediately following the event on social media with a follow-up message. Follow up within 24 hours Most people forget that networking does not stop at the event, it requires diligent and thoughtful follow up. Jot down notes during the event about the people you have met, and write them the next day to recap your conversation and propose a next action point. This could be as simple as staying in touch, suggesting a meeting, or a direct ask about something which was discussed. Since people are busy and attend many functions, it needs to be done within 24 hours to ensure they remember you and your conversation. Finally… Always remember to stay calm and cool. Chances are slim that you will land your dream job or sign a big investment deal at a high-level networking event, but they are great places to plant the seeds that can grow into your next opportunity. Always remember your value, make friends, and have some fun. It may turn out that people start lining up to hand you their business cards! Missed our Facebook Live on August 22nd on how to drive social change through your business/ Career? Click here to watch.
NNENNA OFOEGBU: 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING
Nnenna Ofoegbu holds a BA Hons degree in Public Relations and Communications and has recently started her own Events business. She loves writing self-help themed articles and is a mentor. Nnenna is the founder of Yes You Can! A platform that inspires others to live a more focused, goal-driven life. She also has a long-term passion for fashion accessories and has started her own fashion jewelry company called Exquisitely Yours London. Nnenna is a huge advocate for giving up personal time for free in exchange for gaining valuable experience, knowledge and career advancement. Through volunteering and interning, she gained some connections, opened doors and opportunities she would never have been offered otherwise had she not volunteered her time to work for free. And that is why she thinks one should consider volunteering if they have never done it before. Whether you’re already employed in your dream job or you’re a fresh graduate looking for your first dream role. It could be through a professional internship at a global organization or by volunteering in your spare time with an NGO. There are many advantages to volunteering like being offered a job within the organization. Bringing your expertise in one area or learning a new skill in another area you’re interested in can benefit both parties. You’ll also get to meet new people and expand your professional network. However, opting to volunteer may not be a financially viable move for everyone. Although a lot of organizations can allow you to work remotely if you are expected to work from the office than expenses like travel and feeding may be left up to you to cover. This can be off-putting especially if your finances are restricted, but there are ways around it. You could suggest agreeing to volunteer for a short period like two weeks for example, or on a part-time basis like one day a month. Do what works best for you. This will help you to limit your costs. She was fortunate as the charity offered to reimburse her for her travel and feeding expenses, and she worked on a part-time basis of two days a week. She thought it was going to be a piece of cake – oh how wrong she was! It was hard work and challenging. But she had a great mentor who helped her work on and improve her skill set. It was all worth it in the end when she got to walk a well-known British celebrity down the red carpet at the charity’s annual awards ceremony and go to St James’ Palace for a private garden party. There are some perks! So, why should you consider volunteering? Here are Nnenna’s 5 reasons why you should volounteer. 1. Gain or improve an existing skillset Taking up a corporate internship or volunteering with a social enterprise will give you the opportunity to level up your skillset. Whether it’s your I.T proficiency or presentation skills, use volunteering as a valid way to learn something new or improve an existing skill. Working with other skilled colleagues will also enhance your skills and improve your interpersonal abilities. Top Tip: Keep a list of any new skills you have gained both soft and hard as it will increase your market value. By keeping a journal during your time volunteering you will be able to self-reflect on your personal and professional development. Make sure you update your CV, as additional skills add value to it. 2. Shows ambition Generally speaking, ambitious minded people are more likely to get ahead in the workplace. Whereas the passive and unassertive person tends to be overlooked for promotion. Volunteering helps you to create the right impression within the organization. It shows that not only are you willing to give up your time for free but that you’re career-minded and take your professional development seriously. It shows senior management that you’re focused, responsible and enthusiastic member of the team. It shows assertiveness. Now all you must do is bring your A-game and add value to the organization by positively contributing to the team. Top Tip: Set some goals or list the things that you would like to have mastered or achieved during your time with the organization. Discuss them with your supervisor and come to an agreement on what support you will need to achieve your goals. 3. Improves your network Volunteering can be a useful way of expanding your professional network. Get involved and try to participate with any department or team activities, social gatherings, and work meetings. This is also a good time to look for a career mentor if you don’t have one already. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a senior manager. It could be your co-worker or a colleague from a different team or department. Top Tip: Add your co-workers and managers (if appropriate) on LinkedIn and ask them to endorse you. 4. Boosts your confidence Not only will volunteering boost your skills, but your self-confidence will also benefit. It takes guts and tenacity to get out there and join a new organization as a volunteer. It’s a positive achievement and something to feel proud of. It will make you feel good about yourself and confident in your capabilities. Top Tip: Don’t feel undervalued because you’re not being paid a salary, rather see it as a chance to be a fly on the wall. You’ll get to see behind the scenes which could inspire you to suggest some ideas like for a charity fundraiser or a corporate social responsibility activity for example. 5. Brings you closer to your dream job Whether it’s your first role you’re chasing or you want to pivot into a new career sector through volunteering, it’s the sum total of all your newly acquired skills and connections that will bring you closer to where you ultimately want to go career or even business-wise (even if they don’t offer you a job at the end of it). If you are looking for employment, then volunteering with the
Top 5 ways a Diverse Workplace can Help Companies Thrive
Leading companies know that having a diverse workplace and culture is the key to boosting employee morale. As the workforce demographics shift and global markets emerge, workplace diversity becomes harder to ignore. Companies are beginning to see its importance and are beginning to embrace it. What you need to know about workplace diversity… The word ‘diversity’ connotes different things. It could be age, gender, race, color or even culture. A diverse workplace represents an inclusive company. It is important to the employers that employees feel like they make a significant contribution to the organization using their unique qualities. If organizations want to improve their competitive advantage, they must learn to manage a diverse workforce. A diverse organization creates a positive image for businesses as it shows inclusivity and equal employment opportunities. 1. Increased exposure A highly diversified workplace comprises of people from different culture and backgrounds. This gives room for increased exposure as employees learn from each other. 2. Innovation Inclusive companies are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their market. You can never run out of ideas when you have a diverse team. Why? This is b Juditecause they all bring something to the table. Having different cultural backgrounds means the way they think differ; the beliefs that shape their thoughts are not the same. This vast difference, even between gender breeds innovation. Creative concepts are born out of each one offering a solution or suggestion. People from different backgrounds have different experiences and perspectives. This leads to creativity. 3. Grows the organization’s talent pool Embracing diversity means you’ll attract a large number of candidates from all walks of life. These are people well versed in different diverse skills set and knowledge. As the number of candidates increases, the chances of finding a suitable candidate will increase too. 4. Employee retention Who doesn’t want to work for a company that embraces diversity? They don’t discriminate but accept employees from all backgrounds. In the long run, this promotes quality and boosts the morale of the employee. 5. Employee performance The chances of being happy in an environment that is open and inclusive are higher than one which isn’t. Employees are more likely to feel comfortable, happy and safe in an organization that embraces diversity. This boosts the confidence of the employee as they feel confident in putting their best. The higher your employee’s morale, the more productive he or she is. Organizations who have a range of employees enjoy the benefits of having a broad skill set and experience. All of these gives the company an advantage over others. Join our Facebook Live on August 22nd to learn how to drive social change through your business/ Career. Click here to sign up.
5 learning points from the Employability Fitness Program organized by CareerLife Nigeria
CareerLife Nigeria was conceived out of the passion to help solve the issue of un-employability among graduates. SLA contributor, Yewande Jinadu who is also the founder of CareerLife Nigeria is someone who had earlier struggled with interviews which she dreaded so much until she decided to pursue Talent Acquisition as a career path and learned how it felt to be at the other side of the table. The pilot edition of the Employability Fitness Program(EFP) held on the 13th July 2019 was aimed at helping jobseekers overcome interview phobia by putting them in an interview with HR Professionals and Subject Matter Experts so that the feedback they would get would be personalized to their unique need and deficiency. The following steps will help you deal with Interview phobia: 1. Understand yourself Overcoming phobia has a lot to do with you! Understand your shortcomings and work on it. Being self-aware is much more than knowing your weakness. It’s also about knowing your strengths accurately. If you know why the organization should hire you, you would definitely do better. When you saw the job description, you looked through and were convinced this job was for you. All that is left is to prepare yourself ahead and establish why you should be given the job. Preparation is VERY IMPORTANT! 2. Go in with the mindset of “Why wouldn’t they hire me” It’s only if you have lied in your application that you would be scared. When you go with a convinced mindset, you are one step closer to avoiding fear. Most job seekers go into an interview with an uncertain mind so they cower at any slight intimidation. 3. Communicate your value to your employer An interview isn’t all about you and what you stand to gain if employed. Employers are hunting for value in talents and if you’re not able to portray that during the interview, you would most likely get a rejection email. So think through your value and ensure you communicate it clearly. 4. Always have transferable skills Most fresh graduates believe they have nothing to offer just because they don’t have a long list of experience to show forth which is WRONG. Transferable skills are mostly soft skills and competencies that are important for the role you are applying to. You may have led a team while in school or provided a solution to a big problem during your NYSC. Don’t despise those ‘little’ experiences because they can be very relevant in your new role. 5. Don’t go into an interview feeling defeated What’s the worst that could happen after an interview? You get a NO! You move on… I realized that when you put your whole life into something and have packed yourself with so much fear, the interview becomes a do or die affair. This increases the likelihood of you messing up. I’m not saying you shouldn’t prepare well and take it seriously but don’t spoil it by putting too much pressure on yourself. I wish you the best in your career! If you would like to join the free 3 months post-coaching session, visit CareerLife Nigeria. Join our FREE Facebook Live on August 22nd to learn how to drive social change through your business/ Career. Click here to sign up.
5 Tips to Effective Time Management
Time management is one of the most valuable skills you will need in life. We all have 24 hours in a day, but some people get the most out of their time while others don’t. Working as a content marketer has taught me to manage my time wisely. It gets crazy sometimes as projects are thrown your way. Which one do you focus on or delegate? I like this quote from Zig Ziglar: “Lack of direction and not lack of time is the problem. We all have 24 hours in a day.” There are a lot of people juggling multiple jobs and when I ask how they do it, they laugh and say, “It’s not easy.” Below are some simple steps you can take to manage your time wisely: Let’s dive in… Complete the most important tasks first Some people leave the most important for the last. But if you want to be better at time management, you should complete the most important tasks first. This way, even if you fail to get all your work done at the end of the day, you still conclude the day as being a success. Prioritize wisely Group your daily tasks into each category. This will tell you where to spend more time and less time. Important and urgent – tasks that must be done. These, you must do right away! Important but not urgent – tasks that look important but really aren’t. They can wait! Urgent but not important – these are tasks that appear pressing but have little or no value. You can delegate these if you can! Not urgent and not important – these are not urgent and they’re not important either. Learn to say “NO” A lot of us are guilty of this. Out of the goodness of our hearts, it’s almost impossible to say “no”. Want someone to run an errand? They come to you. Need someone to edit and proofread a doc? You’re the go-to girl. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with helping a colleague BUT, saying yes to everything and everyone eats into your time. It’s okay to decline every now and then. And no, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a heart, it simply means you value your time. Organize Yourself There are so many time management and productivity resources you can utilize. Tools like Asana, Trello and Wunderlist help track and manage your projects. [bctt tweet=”Distractions steal your time. When distractions are managed well, it can lead to a balanced life but when not managed, they can keep you from accomplishing your goals. – Judith Abani” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Create a timeline for a particular project I had to learn this. I’ll just dive in and get to work but now I’ve learned to allocate a specific amount of time to a task. Let’s say there’s a blog to write among other things. I tell myself “I’m going to work on this for 2 hours.” What this ‘time constraint’ does is that it pushes you to focus and be more efficient. Time management isn’t something you learn at once. You cultivate it over time. It’s one skill that can help you make the most out of your day. Follow these 5 tips and you’re on your way to working smart. Your turn, What are your best practices for managing your time? Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
3 Things to do After You’ve Been Fired From a Job
With all that’s going on in the world right now, getting fired from a job is the last thing on your mind. It’s never a pleasant experience. For many people, getting fired is not just about losing a source of income, but also losing self-esteem and dignity. It can have devastating results. But we’re all about the bounce back here, so the potential setback in losing your job can be a hidden opportunity for your next come up. The key is in not spending too much time feeling sorry for yourself but investing the energy into something positive. So if you were fired from your job, here’s what to do now. Upgrade your skills Every disappointment can be a blessing in disguise. Losing your job can provide an opportunity to explore and learn more. Let’s face it, working underpaid means you probably don’t have that much time to pursue other projects. If you need some inspiration or guidance, check out SLA’s Online Classes and Expert Talks to get started today. Start your own business Why not use this time to start your own business? If you were afraid to quit your job and take the leap, your company just saved you from that problem. If you don’t already have a business idea in mind, look around you and think about those issues you are always complaining about. Someone shared on social media once how difficult it is to get breakfast at the workplace. Most eateries do not open to offer breakfast and if you have to leave your home very early to avoid traffic, then you probably don’t have the time. Can you start a breakfast delivery service or a smoothie shop? Looking for some inspiration and ideas? Check out the Start A Business section to learn from other young women who have gone out and started their own enterprises. Find another job Not everyone has what it takes to be an entrepreneur. So, if you feel the urge to look for another job, go ahead. There’s no shame in that. Brush up your CV, update your LinkedIn account, reach out to your network, and be on the lookout for job listings. Social media is a great way to build your reputation and let people know you’re looking for new opportunities. Getting fired may look like a huge downer, but with a positive attitude staying proactive, you may be on your way to turning that downer into a lift-off.