Significant Career Lesson From a Manager Strategy and Impact at Meals on Wheels America
Morgan, a Manager, Strategy & Impact at Meals on Wheels America, emphasizes the career lesson of "standing up for yourself," advocating for fair compensation, appropriate time off ("taking care of yourself"), and reasonable workloads, even when presented with "awesome new projects." This self-advocacy, particularly important for women in negotiating pay, ensures a healthy work-life balance and prevents burnout.
Self-Advocacy, Work-Life Balance, Negotiation Skills, Stress Management, Career Advancement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Morgan Hultquist
Manager, Strategy & Impact
Meals on Wheels America
University of Arizona 2014
N/A
Political Science, American Studies
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Business Strategy
Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize self-care, including sick time and PTO, rather than sacrificing personal well-being for work.
2. Don't be afraid to negotiate salary and benefits; research industry standards and advocate for your worth.
3. Learn to say no to extra work when you are at capacity; it's okay to set boundaries to avoid burnout and stress.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I had to think about this for a while, but overall, it's really about the importance of standing up for yourself. This applies no matter if you're an intern, a senior manager, or an executive team member, really in any position.
This also crosses over many different topics, like sick time and taking time off. I think this has improved over the years, but there was a traditional approach of not using your sick time or PTO, saving it up to show you were working hard. However, standing up for yourself to take care of yourself is really important.
This now applies to taking on extra work when you're overwhelmed and don't have capacity. It's common to be presented with great new projects, and it's awesome to take them on. But when you're at capacity and that's causing stress or concern, it's fair to express that.
I would also say this applies to pay. For individuals, especially myself identifying as female, it's easy to start a new job and just be grateful for what you're given. But it's even more important to research what other positions in your industry are earning and advocate for yourself.
Overall, in every way, to take care of yourself, you need to make sure you're continuing to stand up for yourself and focus on that where possible.
Advizer Personal Links