What a Resource Manager at Mercer Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Tech
Michelle, a Resource Manager at Mercer, advises aspiring professionals to "be your biggest advocate," especially as a young woman in tech, actively promoting their accomplishments and ensuring their voice is heard to avoid being overlooked. This self-advocacy, Michelle explains, is crucial for career advancement, securing raises, and recognition within the company, a lesson learned throughout their seven-year journey from entry-level project coordinator to their current role.
Advocacy, Self-promotion, Leadership, Communication, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michelle Reid
Resource Manager
Mercer
University of Texas at Austin
NA
Advertising, Public Relations
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Human Resources (HR)
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Being your own biggest advocate is crucial for career advancement, especially as a young woman in male-dominated industries like tech.
2. Don't be afraid to speak up and highlight your accomplishments to ensure you're not overlooked for opportunities or promotions.
3. While Mercer has a supportive leadership, not all firms prioritize every employee's voice equally; self-advocacy is key to success regardless of company culture.
Transcript
Michelle, what have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you started?
I think the most important thing is to be your own biggest advocate. This might make sense for many roles, but it's especially true in this one.
I started as an entry-level project coordinator and have worked my way up over the last seven years. As a young woman in tech, you can sometimes feel hesitant to speak up in rooms with older or different colleagues. You might not want to cause issues or make too much noise.
It's important to advocate for yourself and highlight your accomplishments. Don't let others speak for you or over you. Ensure you're advocating for yourself in the right situations and not being pushed to the side or overlooked.
While I haven't personally experienced this at Mercer, their leadership is good at ensuring everyone is heard and has a voice. However, not all firms are the same. Many tech companies may not have such attentive leadership.
Always be your own biggest advocate and be loud and proud about it. That's how you'll get raises and be noticed within the company.
Advizer Personal Links
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