How Identity Has Influenced A Risk Consultant's Career At CFGI, LLC
Navigating a male-dominated industry, the risk consultant acknowledges both the support received from "wonderful allies" and the challenges of balancing self-confidence with societal expectations. This includes overcoming "double standards" and actively working to find the balance between being "kind, but not too kind," while avoiding behaviors that might hinder career progression.
Overcoming Challenges, Confidence, Communication, Workplace Challenges, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bobbie Hutchinson
Risk Consultant
CFGI, LLC
UCLA 2018
N/A
Economics
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Consulting
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Overcoming self-doubt and finding your voice as a woman in a male-dominated field is crucial.
2. Balancing the need to be kind and assertive to avoid being perceived negatively is a continuous challenge.
3. Being aware of societal expectations and learning to navigate double standards is vital for career success.
Transcript
Bobby, as someone who identifies as a woman in a male-dominated industry, how has that impacted the way you navigate your career?
It's a very good question, and I have to start by saying I'm very grateful to have a lot of wonderful allies. The majority of people who have accompanied me in my career have only empowered me.
Unfortunately, you will find those who are not so much there to empower you. I think the challenges can come in that self-confidence space, in finding your voice without being overly apologetic.
Those double standards that can sometimes exist for an ambitious woman, or a woman who's not openly warm and kind in a business setting, can quickly be written off as nasty. Or someone who's just too ambitious.
You can sometimes find yourself trying to overcompensate by saying "I'm sorry" a lot, or "I don't know if this makes sense," or "I don't know if I can speak right now." But that can drown you out and you can be passed over for certain opportunities.
It's something I'm still actively working on: learning how to balance the way I'm perceived and knowing what I'm okay with being perceived as versus what society wants from me. It’s also about learning to be kind, but not too kind. It can be very challenging, and I don't have the answer, but it's something I'm very much working with.