How Identity Has Influenced a Producer's Career at a Fortune 100 Tech Company
Navigating a career as a woman in a tech company requires awareness of existing inequities and proactive self-advocacy; the interviewee encourages others to "ask for the extra money" and to have open conversations about salary and career paths to ensure fair compensation and advancement, highlighting the importance of knowing one's value and not being afraid to negotiate.
Salary Negotiation, Gender Equity in Tech, Career Advancement Strategies, Workplace Advocacy, Networking and Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sib Santos
Producer
Fortune 100 Tech Company
California State University, Chico
n/a
Business Management & Admin
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Women are still not as equitable in the workforce as men.
2. Women tend to ask for promotions based on work already done, while men tend to directly ask for promotions and higher pay.
3. It's important to know your value, ask for what you deserve (higher pay, promotions), and have conversations with people in your industry about salary and career paths to ensure you are fairly compensated and progressing in your career.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
This is a really great and important question. I think there's a lot of data showing that women are still not as equitable in the workforce.
I'm not a parent, but I have many friends who are. So, I think that's a whole other conversation that is really important for young people of all identities to be having. It's important to be aware of your value.
Historically, or based on data, women tend to ask for promotions based on the work they're already doing. Whereas, men often say, "I can do that job, I want that job, and then pay me for it, and I'll do it."
I can relate to this and kind of cringe at saying it. Maybe there's just so much historical background, things we were taught even subconsciously, that we don't realize. I would love to encourage the next generation to be equitable and raise your hand.
For women, since that's where I identify, ask for the extra money. If they want you, they will either meet you there or push back and say what's reasonable based on the bigger picture. You're not going to learn or lose much by asking.
I think having conversations with people in the industry who are comfortable sharing salary and career path information is crucial. Even when I was younger, I was grateful to be busy and exposed to things, but I was pretty heads down. I wasn't asking, "What else is out there?" or "What am I valued at?" or "Am I underpaid for what I'm doing?"
You won't really know those things unless you ask those questions, as any individual, and especially as women. Unfortunately, there are plenty of examples of men making more than me, even when I feel I'm bringing equal or more value. Let's get things a little more even in the future. We can all do our part and have those conversations.