The Source

The phrase “boys’ club” typically evokes visuals of back-room decision making amongst whiskey-drinking gentlemen in smoked-filled offices. The premise makes for a great Netflix series, but does absolutely nothing positive for professional women. This visual probably takes you back to the 1970s. Unfortunately, what we think is a scene from Mad Men is actually still a 2018 reality in many industries.    

I’m a “feeler” by nature - it’s simply how I’m wired. If you’re feeling blue, I’ll feel it right with you. If you need someone to spread your enthusiasm to a room, I can make it happen. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader and commiserate over trials right along with you. Give me a compliment, you’ve made my whole day. Look at me sideways, “WHY DO YOU HATE ME?” I kid, mostly. Throughout the years, this little personality trait has come in quite handy in my personal life, but can oftentimes make navigating the working world feel like wading through landmines.    

The word “selfish” comes with negative connotations, especially for women. When we think of selfish people, we think of unlikeable people. We teach our children from a young age to share—don’t be selfish! Fast forward years down the road, and we’ve become professional women who give so much of ourselves within our workplace, and elsewhere we’ve forgotten a little bit of selfishness can be a good thing.    

A hot topic and area of concern for many professional women is the nerve-racking process of the job hunt. No matter how seasoned a professional you are, the prospect of making yourself available to scrutiny is scary. We’ve covered the subject from multiple angles including interview tips for introverts, applying for a position you don’t feel completely qualified for, thanking interviewers for their time, and the questions to ask yourself before taking a job.   

A founding member of The Source Advisory Panel, Ashley Wicks spends her work days delving into topics most of us wouldn’t dare approach or try to understand. Ashley is an attorney at Butler Snow and focuses her practice on Public Finance, State and Local Taxation, Tax Credits, and Tax.    

Most people are wired to avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. We know what we’re good at and who we trust. We enjoy the bubble we’ve made for ourselves. Venturing beyond our comfort zone could risk the possibility of awkward conversations, asking for help, or failure.   

You’ve just walked into a room, business cards and notepad in hand, full of the hustle and bustle of conversation with people who look, and probably are, super important.
   

Hi, ladies! My name is Laurel Donahoo and I am a born-and-raised Mississippi girl who works part time at a local design firm doing social media, part time as a blogger, seasonally as a freelance writer, and full time as a wife and mommy to my most favorite people in the world! It is an honor to have the opportunity to contribute to the blog over here at The Source today! I love this organization and fully believe in what they are doing for the women of Mississippi!   

There is a statistic that constantly makes its way around professional circles. It’s a statistic that deserves our attention, especially as women. According to an HP internal report, “Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.”