How Identity Influenced a VP Philanthropic Strategies' Career at United Way San Diego
Being a first-generation college graduate and a woman initially impacted Katie's self-worth and career trajectory in the non-profit sector, as she felt intimidated by those with more guidance and experienced assumptions of being "too young" or not the "right person" in male-dominated spaces; however, these challenges have diminished over time due to increased representation of women leaders and greater recognition of the difficulties faced by first-generation graduates, making it "a lot easier to get through to climb that corporate ladder."
First-Generation College Graduate, Women in Leadership, Nonprofit Industry, Career Advancement, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Katie Khaism-San
VP Philanthropic Strategies
United Way of San Diego County
SDSU & Springfield College
Humanities, Business Management & Admin
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Initial feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt due to being a first-generation college graduate in an environment of non-first-generation professionals, highlighting the lack of parental guidance and the challenges of measuring up to peers with more support.
2. Experiences with age and gender bias in early career, particularly facing intimidation and skepticism in fundraising roles due to being a young woman in male-dominated settings.
3. Shift in societal perception and increased acceptance of first-generation college graduates and women in leadership roles over time, leading to a more inclusive and equitable professional environment.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation college graduate and a woman in the nonprofit industry, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
It actually did impact my self-worth at that time when I very first started getting into this industry. I was surrounded by a lot of people who were not first-generation college graduates.
My parents were not able to guide me through that conversation; they didn't even know how to help me through college or what that entailed. So that was really hard. Trying to measure up when you're trying to climb a ladder and other people have had that type of help and guidance is difficult. It definitely plays a role in your head, thinking, "Can I do this? Can I keep up with them? Are they going to get picked first?"
Then, also, being a woman. At the time when I was trying to climb that ladder, I realized when I was going to speaking engagements, people would think I was either too young. Just by being a woman in a room of all older men, and me trying to ask them for money or tell them about the mission, I definitely felt intimidated.
I definitely felt that sometimes some people thought I wasn't the right person. But over time, that changed. Now, I think it's super acceptable. There are so many women leaders now in San Diego, which is amazing, so I don't feel that way at all anymore.
It's actually looked upon better if you are a first-generation college graduate because people acknowledge how hard that is. Now, those gateways are open, and it's a lot easier to get through and climb that corporate ladder.