Michele Equale: Transitional Mentorship

Michele Equale’s pet peeve? Women sitting in the back of the room. Our speaker opened the meeting by telling us that when we give up the seat in the front, we give up our seat at the table. We cannot let ourselves become part of the background, even if it’s more comfortable. After asking the audience to move up and fill in empty seats toward the front, we began our meeting on transitional mentorship. Here are some important takeaways:

1. When you’re assembling your mentor panel, think of it like a board of directors who complement your strengths. On a board, you would have someone you turn to for help in finance, or operations, or any number of specific functions. Mentors (yes, more than one!) should function similarly. As a side note to this point, Michele mentioned that if you have an internship this summer, you should try to leave with 5 or 6 warm contacts, outside of your team!

2. It is easier for someone to be your mentor if they know what you need. So figure out what you’re looking for, and make that intention clear. If you’re reaching out to someone, know what you’re asking for from them! Having a goal also helps you both know if the mentorship has run its course — once your goal has been met, it’s fine for you to both free your calendars and keep a more casual contact. It’s fine to not need a mentor for a bit!

3. When you have a mentor, be present and authentic in the relationship and in your communications. The easiest way to figure out what you truly need mentorship for is as simple as this: think back on your last month. What felt really great, and what was so horrible that you never want to do it again? If you can think of one thing in each category, you have things to reflect on with your mentor. Also, be honest! Communicate to your mentor when you need them to be nice, or when you need tough love to get things done. Michele argued that, “You’re allowed to have a delicate day,” but you need to be on the same page.

Our closing question of the meeting was a classic: what does success mean to you? Equale responded that her favorite days are when she watches people turn on. She adores creating value and watching people grow. In the final minutes of the meeting, she shared “I just hope I’ve helped other people along the way.”

Leadership Advice from Powerful Women

Author: Victoria Jeschke Patton

Right now women are killing it as entrepreneurs and leaders in the business world. As women continue to break the glass ceiling in all industries, it’s important for them to speak up and share how they got where they are so other women feel inspired and follow in their footsteps. Women are fantastic at networking and supporting each other professionally. The record number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 list currently is a major milestone. Mary Barra, Indra Nooyi, Ginni Rometty and Gail Boudreaux are all driven women who have stood up for one another and given candid advice about the obstacles that stand in the way of ambitious women. They are perfect examples of innovative leaders, and all the driven women in a predominately male business setting can learn a thing (or four!) from women like them.

1. Be confident about who you are. Don’t be apologetic about what you do or love because it’s what makes you you and there has never been a more important time for accurate representation in positions of authority. Real leaders and game changers in the business world are just like us with passions, hobbies and quirks. Women can especially benefit from hearing relatable stories.

At just 18 years old, Mary Barra started working at General Motors as a student and quickly went on to take several management positions. Women aren’t expected to show interest in the automotive industry and rarely get as far as managers, but Mary worked her way up the ladder and followed in her father’s footsteps. It’s inspiring to see young adults like Mary express interest in such a male-dominated industry and then work their way up to CEO.

1. Don’t wait to speak up. There is an unspoken culture for newer employees to be quiet and observe, don’t rock the boat or question a decision until you’ve “paid your dues” or earned your voice. This has been especially harmful to women, who are expected to play the role of office angel or stay on the sidelines. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind at the table and with others. If you’re in a leadership position, you’ve already earned it and should absolutely speak up and spread your ideas.

During Indra Nooyi’s tenure as CEO of PepsiCo from 2006-2018, she launched a strategic redirection of the company. They merged with Tropicana, Quaker Oats Company, and Gatorade in addition to bringing healthier PepsiCo products into the market. Her ideas and strategies increased sales by 80%. No idea is too small to be shared.

1. Share your personal story. This ties in well with being confident about who you are. If you have a unique perspective, sharing it makes you memorable and personable. There is strength in opening up to others, and when a leader shares something special or relatable about them it makes others feel reassured in the workplace. Many women fall prey to imposter syndrome, where they feel as if they don’t belong or haven’t earned their leadership role. Hearing personal stories, especially from a leader, makes a inflexible setting feel more humane.

Ginni Rometty came from a modest family on the outside of Chicago. In her mid teens her parents divorced, her mother worked multiple jobs to support the family, and she maintained the household in the evenings after school. Ginni is now the chair, president and CEO of IBM and the first woman to head the company. Big things have small beginnings, indeed.

1. Empower and support others. So many women are used to being the only one in a room full of men. Talk to every woman in your network and workplace, leaders and interns alike. The success and good feelings that come from supporting other women is astronomical and looks good on everyone. Not to mention, it’s a good practice professionally to laud each other and make those positive connections.

Gail Boudreaux played women’s basketball from 1978-1982 at Dartmouth and received several awards and recognitions for her athletic prowess. After studying business at Columbia, she had several executive positions and she’s currently the CEO of insurance company Anthem Inc., now the second largest American company with a female CEO. If there is anyone who understands teamwork and how useful a supportive network can be, it’s Gail.

Personal Branding 101

Hosted by: Maria Jara Baca, Christine MacNaul, Mikaela Bowler

Monday March 4, 2019

“Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room” according to Jeff Bezos. Your personal brand is the reputation that precedes you and speaks for you in your absence. It’s important because it can do so much for us, like establish how others view us, help us stand out, make us memorable & recognizable, make networking easier, and attract recruiters. And with social media, it’s all so easy!

Here’s an example: If I ask you who goes by the title Queen, is loyal but fiercely independent, and believes that girls run the world, who would you guess I’m talking about? Beyoncé, of course! Her brand is so strong that she’s identifiable by only three traits!

So how do you build your own brand?

For starters, think about this: If a class were going to do a study and give a report on you, what would they say? You need to try to find the intersection between how you want to be known and your abilities & strengths. Then manifest it! Dress for the job you want, not the job you have, and work to make your social media appearance consistent as well. Put the message of who you are everywhere! Make it authentic to you and make it something that people remember.

Let’s end with one more example! Allen & Gerritsen’s ampersand campaign is all about the personal brand. They are a marketing agency based in Boston, who cares about making their employees stand out. Everyone who works there has three “&” statements which they share every time they list off their job title. Some samples include “& Positivity Promoter,” “& Foodie,” “& Master of Organized Chaos,” “& Movie Quoter,” or “& It’s All About the Dogs.” So think about this: what would your three “&”s be?

Thank you to everyone who came Monday!

How to Get Out of The Winter Rut

Author: Kaylie Keating

The month of February is rough. The joyous holiday season that comes with December and the motivational spirit that fills January is followed by a whole month of dreary, cold weather and the feeling that warm weather will never come. And to top it off, those final weeks of walking through snow and attempting to stay warm are also the busy weeks before spring break-where professors fill your schedule with exams and there’s lots of events happening on campus. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on, as well as unmotivated as you try to pull yourself out of that lingering winter slump. Here are my top five tips for getting out of your winter rut and pushing through these last couple weeks before the sun finally starts to shine through.

1. Group Fitness Classes

Nothing motivates me to get active and go to the gym more than a fitness class. At UMass in particular, you have to sign up for classes via the IMLeagues app. If I am signed up for a class and there’s a waitlist, I’m less likely to leave the session and more likely to force myself to make the trek there. Whether you’re interested in some cardio in a Spinning class or finding zen in a yoga class, there’s a fitness class that you’ll love. The energy in the classes always leaves me feeling motivated and productive.

2. Have a “Me Night”

Trying to balance schoolwork with clubs, jobs, and a social life can be stressful and usually we can become so busy that we don’t even realize how burnt out we really are. A quick fix to calm down and rejuvenate is a classic and cliché spa night. Choose a night of the week and say “no” to plans that night. Order Insomnia cookies, put on a face mask, and turn on your favorite show. Or read a book, make some tea, and do anything else that makes you feel good. This night should be all about you.

3. Remember to Take Study Breaks

Nothing fuels burn out more than not taking study breaks. Throughout the week, try to take little breaks from work by grabbing some of your friends and exploring places on or around campus. My top recommendations would be to enjoy the serenity atop the Studio Arts and Design Building, walking through Durfee Conservatory, or treating yourself to a Glazed doughnut in Downtown Amherst (their Cookies n’ Cream one's life changing).

4. Social Media Detox

I’m not a social media hater. I think it’s a great creative outlet to express yourself and share ideas. However, I do think that it can be very negative, especially when you’re in a rut. Seeing all of your friends “thriving” causes you to question yourself and what you’re doing wrong. So try deleting all your apps for a day, a weekend, or maybe even a week. It will also do wonders for your studying. Goodbye procrastination!

5. Appreciate the Cold

I know it’s easy to sulk and complain about how cold it is, but at the end of the day, we go to college in Massachusetts, and nothing is going to change how cold the winter gets. So try to live in the moment instead of counting down the days until summer by enjoying all of the great things about winter. This is the only time of year you can make yourself hot chocolate with a heaping pile of marshmallows and whip cream on top without any regrets. Go do that.

Earning & Saving in College

Author: Victoria Jeschke Patton

I know many students feel like they’re a broke college kid with student loans, but getting an education doesn’t have to be so dismal. I want to tell you that it is still possible to earn and save even when you’re in college! With the towering costs of higher education, colleges know that every penny counts, and UMass has great work study opportunities to help offset the costs. Below is my personal advice on how you can feel less burdened and find the resources you need.

Campus Jobs

The UMass Student Employment Office (SEC) has a wonderful website (https://www.umass.edu/umfa/seo) that can tell you nearly all you need to know. If you are eligible for work study (check your financial aid package on Spire) there are many options, and the most common ones include working in dining halls, cafes and the W.E.B DuBois library. I’ve personally asked a couple students about their jobs to get the info students actually want: pay. One student works at the library and makes $11/hour, the minimum wage in Massachusetts currently. Another student works in dorm security and and makes $11/hour as well. Most campus jobs will pay minimum, though there are exceptions. I know someone who works at the student union for off campus housing who makes $12/hour!

Fortunately UMass is right next to the Amherst town center, where many small businesses are located. If you can, personalize with the owners or managers to make a connection or ask for advice about where to look (something they’ve no doubt been asked before). The Hadley mall has bigger businesses and retail, though it is farther down route 9 and requires transportation if you have a car or are willing to take the bus.

Saving

Necessities such as food, transportation, and bills/high interest items come first no matter what. If you are receiving regular paychecks, cut a percentage of it and place into a savings account (for many banks, opening a savings account is easy and may require a minimum balance to maintain, an extra incentive for you!). Typically 20% of your paycheck is recommended, though many students can’t work enough hours to save 20% and pay necessities, so start with 5-10% depending on your situation. Small amounts like that will take time to accumulate, but the goal is not how much you save, but building the habit and having financial breathing room and confidence. It will be rewarding in the end!

If you have the option to sign up for direct deposit, do it! Personally I am a check/cash person, but app services such as Venmo or Zelle are easy for busy women like you. If you like to save in cash like me, there are Bank of America ATMs located throughout campus, and if you feel safe enough, take a $10 bill or so out of each paycheck and put it away. Otherwise, deposit your money into a savings account that will accrue interest annually as an incentive, and watch your green grow slowly but surely.

Bottom Line

Regardless of your situation, there are so many resources at UMass to choose from! There are so many faculty who want to help you during this stressful time and our school cares about its students and understands the balance of education and finances. The link I pasted above is very easy to access and has plenty of information and a FAQ section you might find helpful. You are in charge of your money and your time. They are powerful tools, so use them wisely and build your financial confidence!