In an effort to diversify my knowledge, differentiate myself from others, and further develop myself as a professional, I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended the 2019 Women in Technology Conference hosted by the Center for Management Information Systems. I was fortunate enough to have this opportunity thanks to the Center for Retailing Studies and M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar Program.
As a Marketing major, my knowledge of technology is, admittedly, rather limited. Though I know Excel like the back of my hand, have experience with Access, and am learning SAS this semester, I am not as technologically knowledgeable as I would like to be. Recognizing this weakness, I capitalized on the opportunity to attend an event where I would be surrounded by highly qualified industry professionals that could impart their wisdom on me.
Though I didn't exactly speak the same technical language, I was able to walk away with a number of noteworthy takeaways that I want to share:
1. Always know what you bring to the table and share your strengths confidently with others.
2. Never fear new opportunities simply because you don't know what to expect.
3. Broaden your perspective. Be open to and embrace change.
4. Stay fresh - seek personal and professional development opportunities.
5. Find your voice and speak up.
6. Recognize the value in both mentors and sponsors.
7. Value your experiences.
8. Nurture your personal brand.
9. Be willing to lend a hand to others.
10. Never be too afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If someone approaches you with a new opportunity, it means they believe in you, so you should believe in yourself. Develop your own "personal board of directors".
11. Think of your career as a collection of happy accidents.
Our first keynote speaker of the morning was Jerrie Kertz of AT&T. Kertz, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Compliance, shared a great deal about her career, highlighting all of the "zigs" and the "zags" that she experienced throughout her journey. The theme of the message was to always say yes to new opportunities, as you never know what will come from them. My biggest takeaway from her presentation was #6 - seek both mentors and sponsors. Kertz defined mentors as someone who will guide you, provide advice, and nurture you in a coaching manner throughout the highs and the lows. On the other hand, sponsors are individuals who will advocate on your behalf in an effort to assist you in the advancement of your career. They throw your name in the hat when new opportunities arise and always have your best interest in mind. Kertz took it a step further to remind all of us in the audience to not only seek out these people for ourselves and our own personal benefit, but to be them for others.
Carol Clements, Chief Technology Officer at Pizza Hut, described technology as being "the ultimate team sport." She emphasized the importance of being able to collaborate well and confidently with others. Additionally, she noted how crucial it is that we are all acutely aware of our own strengths, especially when it comes to working on a project team. As Clements shared some of the exciting technological developments that are currently underway at Pizza Hut, she highlighted the necessity of being continuously disruptive in the market by giving customers what they want before they even know they want it.
"If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford
I left this conference feeling empowered by the message and intrigued by the field. Seeing so many remarkable women thrive in such a male dominated field was truly inspiring!
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