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.

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!

Interview Essentials

Author: Tyler Spellman

There are many things you can do to prepare for an interview. This can involve researching the company you are interviewing for, practicing behavioral questions, and preparing questions to ask the interviewers. Something not spoken much about is how to prepare for the actual day of the interview. Interviews can seem extremely daunting, so being prepared the day of is essential for your success. I have listed a few tips below to help make your interviews less intimidating.

Plan for Travel Time

For my first interview, I had to travel to the company’s Boston office, which is a two-hour drive from the UMass campus. I also knew that rush hour traffic combined with the strict parking regulations would add an amplified amount of time to my travels. To account for this, I decided to drive home from UMass the night before and take the train into Boston. As a result, I avoided all traffic and took my time. I chose a train time two hours in advance to avoid any conflicts such as the train arriving late. The day of your interview, it is important to consider these aspects in order to give yourself enough time before the interview. It also shows a good first impression arriving a little bit early. If your interview is on campus, it is much easier to handle. However, it is still important to take these factors into consideration.

Pack a Small Bag

The day of your interview you may want to bring a few things with you, but it is a hassle to carry everything, especially dressed in business professional clothing. If you have a nice, small, neutral-colored bag, I recommend you bring it. You can place your phone, wallet, pens, and anything else you may want without filling your pockets. Some essentials for my interview bag are a small snack (usually a granola bar), water, and gum. If you are low on energy, it will benefit you to have a snack on hand. Also, chewing gum right before you walk in couldn’t hurt. Lastly, make sure you check the weather for rain. The day of my interview it was pouring out, so I made sure to bring an umbrella. I did not want my outfit getting rained on!

Bring a Padfolio

The most important item to bring to an interview is a padfolio. I wrote down 5-10 questions I had for the interviewers in my padfolio in case I needed to glance at them. I also put in several copies of my resume. In my padfolio I had a few notes about the company that I looked over before heading in. Bringing a padfolio is important because it gives you a place to take notes during the interview. These notes may come of great use to you in the future. Not to mention, it is also extremely professional.

Follow Up

Last but not least, don’t forget to follow up with the interviewers. Sending a personal thank you will leave a great, lasting impression. It may even make the difference between you and another candidate. Although this task is small, it goes a long way.

I hope that these tips that I used for my first interview help when you go for your interviews! Hopefully completing these small tasks will greatly reduce the stress that comes with interviewing as it did for me.

What's Wrong With Being Confident?

Author: Nicole Keeley

First impressions, though important, provide only a glimpse into one’s personality. More intricate characteristics - like trust, patience, indecision, and loyalty -take time to acknowledge in a person. Confidence, however, is instantly recognized and long remembered.

A shared attribute among the women I admire most is a self-assured confidence. I believe confidence is one of the most valuable, albeit overlooked, skills you can have. It requires self-assurance, satisfaction, and staying true to oneself and exists in many forms besides the extroverted version of confidence that most readily comes to mind.

Growing up in competitive figure skating taught me invaluable life lessons, and especially stressed the importance of confidence. For a short period, I let my success as a skater influence my confidence which negatively affected my overall happiness. As a perfectionist, this meant great self-criticism and insecurity that stemmed from failure. But through a combination of maturity and strategies (10 of which I listed below), I developed the sound confidence I possess today.

10 Ways to Improve Your Confidence

1.    Practice positivity – Confidence, a “feeling of self-assurance”, comes entirely from within. Positive thoughts lead to belief in oneself. Pay attention to negative self-talk, transforming negative thoughts and self-criticism into positive ones. Only you have the power over your mind.

2.    Reframe failure – Instead of viewing failure as a personal shortcoming, view it as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and move one step closer to success. Avoid over-reacting by maintaining perspective, understanding the situation for what it truly is.

3.    Do what makes you happy – I’ve personally found the happier you are, the more confidence you radiate. For me, happiness comes from working out (I’d highly recommend Rec Spin with Brooks or Boot Camp with WIB’s own Mackensie), spending time with friends and family, or simply a productive morning at Starbucks.

4.    Surround yourself with good people – Although it comes largely from within, external support and positivity boosts confidence. My family, friends, and coaches encouraged the confidence in myself that I am so grateful for. I turned to them in times of self-doubt, and they reminded me to trust myself.

5.    Self-reflection and recognition – Reviewing progress towards one’s goals, by recognizing even the smallest victories, enhances personal satisfaction. It’s important to remind yourself of how far you’ve come. A confident friend of mine recommended looking in the mirror and saying five good things about yourself to remind yourself of your strengths.

6.    Work hard – In skating, I was told over and over again, “If you practice how you compete, then you will compete how you practice”. For anything, with preparation comes self-assurance.

7.    Be yourself – Staying true to oneself leads to the serenity and self-assurance that characterizes confidence.

8.    Avoid self-put downs or downplaying success – Don’t criticize yourself, apologize for something you didn’t do, or downplay your success if confidence is what you’re after. Embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you unique and be proud of your success and the hard work required to achieve it.

9.    When necessary: fake it ‘til you make it – This is the weakest strategy on the list, but useful if you need a quick confidence fix. Standing tall, drawing your shoulders back, and holding your chin high portrays confidence through body language. It’s best to come across genuinely confident, which you can start by reminding yourself to be confident until it becomes automatic. When I need a further boost of confidence, I’ll wear my favorite pair of heels or a bracelet of special importance to me. This is less reliable than natural confidence, but I believe in the same way smiling can help you feel happier body language or physical goods can be used to enhance confidence. But at the end of the day, Blake Lively points out “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence”.

10. Be humble – As Kendrick Lamar advised, “Sit Down, Be Humble”. It’s important to stay grounded to avoid becoming over-confident or acting superior to others. 

These are just a few of the tips that helped me attain complete self-confidence. Achieving it, however, requires real commitment. And like insecurity, it’s an ever-changing and constant work in progress. There are certainly days where thoughts of self-doubt find their way back into my mind, only to be fought with confidence. Everyone’s experience with confidence is unique but is one that should certainly be explored.

The advantages span countless contexts, from one’s social life to education, but are particularly applicable to business, especially in regard to women. The Atlantic published a story entitled “The Confidence Gap”, reporting evidence that women are typically less self-assured than men. With competence mattering as much as confidence, this is a critical issue that must be addressed. Having interviewed some of the most influential women, the authors were surprised to ascertain the level of self-doubt they suffered from. They found women often derive confidence from perfection (or near-perfection) which hinders their confidence development and ultimately causes inaction that holds women back. Within an organization, the most admired and listened to individuals are the most self-assured. To have the greatest influence in the workplace, it’s important women both today and in the future are bold and confident. Demi Lovato asks, “What’s wrong with being confident”, and to that I’d respond, absolutely nothing.

Check out the article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/05/the-confidence-gap/359815/