The Keys for Success from Today’s Business Leaders to NextGen Women

By Jody Bell

“So, your resume says you know some basic coding – what does that even mean?” said the recruiter on the other line of the phone with a laugh.

I was a freshman in college doing an interview for a data analyst internship, and I was honestly shocked by the doubt that was seeping through the phone from this recruiter. “Well, I’ve taken introductory Python, and know how software engineering works from an academic standpoint–” I answered before being interrupted.

“Well, I’m not sure we can proceed because you seem doubtful of your skills” said the recruiter – and just like that our interview had ceased.

After that conversation, I sat there in disbelief. I wasn’t doubtful of my skills – not in the least. I had finished all my coding courses with an A, done extracurricular projects surrounding data, and all of this material was reflected in my resume.

I was confident I had a good shot at that internship, and yet I was left sitting there completely lost. I was questioning my own abilities, had no idea what to do next, and felt as though I had been punched in the gut with self-doubt.

Unfortunately this is the reality that many young women face – the obstacles on their path to success can be amplified by gender-specific issues such as representation, the confidence gap, and bias. 

That’s exactly why mentorship and support, specifically for women, is crucial. Girls With Impact heard from nearly 100 top leaders in business and media from across the country on the advice they would give to their younger selves. Listening to the advice is a great confidence booster and motivator whenever you’re feeling self-doubt creep in.

As one of our Girls With Impact graduates, Shreya Prabhu, 14, remarked, the video “reminded me to be an assertive, bold leader! It's so easy for high schoolers like me to get caught up in our daily lives, and beat ourselves up for our imperfections. All this advice made me feel more comfortable with failing and taught me that success isn't always a linear path.”

Personally, this advice would have saved me from a lot of self-blame when I was a freshman and got off the phone with that recruiter – hopefully this advice resonates with you as well.

Here are some of the key pieces of advice.

1. Take risks and be nimble

“When the perfect plan crumbles, that’s actually when the adventure begins”  says Valerie Jarret, Board Chair of Civic Nation, and former senior advisor to President Barack Obama.

When we’re young it is so easy to map out every goal and checkpoint for school and career. You put so much pressure into this guide towards an idealized career that it can feel catastrophic when one of those plans falls through. But maybe the best plan really is Plan B: the one you’re forced to explore because Plan A fell through? For me, I didn’t get that data analyst internship and as a result I looked into a banking internship, which led to a change in my major and career plan. To be honest, I’m incredibly thankful I didn’t get that internship, because I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today. 

Truthfully, this is something you’ll have to contend with for the rest of your life – even adults struggle with risk taking. As Jarret says, “So many young people are afraid to take risks. They're worried the best laid plans that they made in college should come to fruition by the time they're 30, and that’s not the way life works.” 

Life has its own pace and it’s own plans – at the end of the day we’re all here for the ride, so sometimes the best thing you could possibly do is take a risk.

2. Celebrate progress over perfection

Guess what – you’re not going to magically snap your fingers and be good at writing essays, algebra, or even networking. That’s not how life works. 

Instead, Stephanie Cohen, Global Co-Head of Consumer & Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs, says “celebrate progress over perfection.” The only way to achieve any semblance of perfection is through persevering through practice, progress, and inevitable failure. It can be ridiculously hard to stay motivated throughout this, which is exactly why Cohen recommends celebrating these moments of progress, and surrounding yourself with “people who want to make you better.” It is these people that will recognize your progress and small-wins before you even do, and they will be the ones cheering you on. 

3. Be assertive 

Did you know that girls’ confidence drops by 30% between the ages of 8-14?The ramifications of this drop in confidence are long-standing and many women don’t realize they are at a disadvantage due this confidence disparity. The best way to counteract this? Being assertive.

For students, this may be sitting in the front row of classes, asking questions, or contributing to a discussion. Yes, it isn’t comfortable to step out of your comfort zone, but once you begin to do it a few times, you’ll notice it gets easier. Gretchen Carlson, journalist and Co-Founder of Lift Our Voices says, “I know we all feel our heart beating...but you have to do it.”

In the professional world, it can be a bit harder to be assertive. Andy Serwer, Editor in Chief of Yahoo Finance, recommends “speaking up in meetings, and coming up to bosses afterward with ideas.”

As you work towards confidence and assertiveness, know that it is a long process. Just remember that each small step out of your comfort zone is a small step towards success. 

I’ve come a long way from the person I was on the other line of that phone call being doubted by a recruiter. To this day I’m thankful for that conversation and how it shaped me, but I truly think knowing this advice would have saved me from a lot of self-doubt. I also know that being young can make it difficult to hear and take to heart advice; it seems as though every person has words of wisdom to share and that can be overwhelming. If I could impart just one piece of advice to remember, it would be the words of Theresa Hopkins-Staten President of the Eversource Energy Foundation, who says: 

“Remember, opportunity doesn’t always come in a pretty package, it doesn’t always smell sweet, or sound affirming. So you have to dig deep and muster up the strength and courage and resolve to pursue and realize your dream. And remember to always be brave, be strong, know your value, and don’t ever settle for less than you deserve.” 

Jody Bell, 20 is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate from Greenwich High School. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, business and leadership program for girls 14-24, turning them into tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.