Was Your Career a Burden or a Privilege?

I just finished the book Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid for my book club. Although it is fiction, I found it insightful in many ways. What struck home for me was the “burden” the women astronauts felt in being the first women in the space program. Not only were they expected to be exceptional in their respective field of expertise, but their personal lives were also under a microscope. It brought back memories for me from my career.

Early Career

I graduated with honors with a degree in economics and eventually found my way to the trust investment department of a large regional bank. In the ‘70s and ‘80s in the world of finance, women were in the minority. I entered that world with high expectations for my career, but when I looked around, the women I saw were primarily assistants, tellers, or secretaries. There were not many women role models and even fewer in a position to mentor a young hire.

I quickly assessed that any progress would be up to me, so I listened to those around me, asked questions, and studied behaviors. Acting and dressing the part was equally as important as the knowledge. I looked for chances to interact with other professional women to share experiences and offer support.

In those early years I was employed in banking. My role in the trust and bank investment departments kept me on the phone and glued me to my desk every day, talking to investors or bank employees and placing trades. How could I meet other women in my bank and learn more about each of their roles?

Professional Development

Fortunately, I found an organization called the National Association of Bank Women (later changed to Financial Women International). There I met women officers not only from my bank but also from many other banks in my community. This organization with multiple chapters in the area offered a platform for women to learn leadership skills and practice them in roles in their chapter. Management took notice!

I felt at home in NABW and progressed from leadership roles in my chapter to state and, eventually, the national board. At each level, I found talented women to work beside me and created great friendships. I learned about leadership styles and that leaders with totally different styles can be equally successful.

As I moved up the NABW ladder, I also moved up my professional ladder from officer to assistant vice president to vice president to senior vice president – only the second woman in my bank to reach the latter level. A great deal of credit for that goes to the leadership skills I learned through NABW. I also expanded my knowledge base. I earned a graduate degree in banking through Pacific Coast Banking School and multiple investment licenses.

When the banking industry hit the years of consolidation with mergers and acquisitions announced daily, I was not surprised that my bank both acquired others but was then acquired. As a senior officer I was at risk and was laid off. Although personally disappointing, my biggest regret was the feeling that I let my NABW friends down. I helped show them that advancement was possible and then it was taken away. I carried that sadness with me for years. In fact, I still do.

Network Support

Competition is great for the highest positions in the financial world and the mindsets – women or men – affect everyone around them. Some do not hesitate to use whatever means or step on whatever backs whenever necessary to get ahead. Others support and encourage and build teams that thrive and accomplish results that each person alone could not. I am a fan of the latter.

Of course, I survived, and my career thrived again as I forged new avenues in the financial world. In each of my roles, it was equally my goal to mentor, teach, support, and challenge the women around me. I looked for women who offered the same to me. There are two who stand out, and I am indebted to them for the time they gave me and for the wonderful conversations we shared, both to expand my knowledge and to share their experiences.

For me, the desire to support other women was not a burden but a privilege. I am thankful for my career and recall fondly the many people, men and women, who encouraged me along the way.

Questions:

Do you have a story about support from women in your network? Did they make a difference in your career? How do you support women/men professionally?