Career
Career Advice from 5 Powerful Silicon Valley Women
5 impressive female leaders in the tech world give their ceiling-shattering advice.
Virginia “Ginni” Rometty
“I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Virginia Rometty
Once the president of her sorority, and now the CEO of IBM, Rometty has been a practically annual fixture in finance and business magazines’ “Most Influential” and “Most Powerful” lists of notable business people. Her more than 20 years with IBM saw her play an instrumental role in revitalizing the tech giant at the beginning of the century with a transition from hardware to tech services.
Rometty also holds the distinction of also being the first female CEO in IBM’s century-long history. She has been named to Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” for ten consecutive years, ranking #1 in 2012, 2013 and 2014. An inspiration to women and men alike, she (and the movie Legally Blonde, of course) reminds us that hard work and determination do pay off. Oh yes, and it’s worth noting that she (like I, and many other modern women have) decided not to have children.
Jodi Thil
Men are so annoying in the office. They’re very discriminating against women and would only lean towards other men in helping with bigger projects.
Valerie Fritz
I’ve been with companies that only looked at men as the only way to boost their company’s income. I had to resign because I knew I was in the wrong place.
Monique Malick
There are companies who support women no matter what. You just have to find the right company that fits all your ideals. I know that this can be hard because work is work and career is career, but when you’re not in the right place, you won’t bloom because your roots won’t reach deep and you won’t be as strong. Choose the perfect place for you to be “planted”. Women are strong and even back in the days, we’ve always been capable of so many things.
Laronda Walker
Yep, you can’t grow with just any company. It has to be THE company.
Linda Bowman
Yes! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. It’s one of the reasons why you should DO IT.
Bonnie Bailey
Women are great beings. We’re very independent and we’re really motivated people.
Louise Summer
I super adore audible. Anyway, great recos! Definitely going to check them out ASAP.
Jenni Morgan
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes, it’s the risk you take that will take you in higher places!
Roze Carloze
If you happen to be with a company that doesn’t support women in the upper management, start questioning about where you are.
Jean Eide
If you want to be as powerful as them, you have no choice but to let go of your fears and just embrace the thrill.?
Karen Cooper
In life, you can’t be ready. I also think that if it doesn’t scare you, it won’t help you grow. Life is all about making big decisions and making crazy ones that are out of your comfort zone. If you’re always living by the rules and all you do is do whatever everyone expects you to do, you are being mediocre. You will never stand out and you will never achieve anything beyond your dreams. Not to offend anyone but that’s the truth. We have to do more in order to achieve more.
Louise Summer
I totally agree with you. Getting out of your comfort zone is probably the best thing that you can do.