Professional Transitions

Last week I co-facilitated the second session of “Professional Transitions,” a workshop offered by the Massachusetts ACE Women’s Network. We were fortunate to have a panel of three outstanding women leaders: Dr. Loretta Holloway, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Development at Framingham State University, Dr. Ellen Kennedy, President of Berkshire Community College and Dr. Patricia Marshall, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Each of these women spoke candidly about their upbringing and education, the challenges they had faced and the risks they had taken. They were an inspiration. But what struck me most was how each of them identified someone who had “tapped them on the shoulder” and pushed them in an unanticipated direction or to do more than they had believed themselves ready to do.

Just when Dr. Kennedy had her career path firmly mapped, her president offered her a position in another area. He gave her a seat “at the senior table” and visibility in the community.  Dr. Holloway thought she was being tapped to represent the faculty on a search committee. Instead, her president asked her to fill the vacant Vice President’s position. He believed that her record of student advocacy and fresh perspective outweighed her lack of administrative experience.  Dr. Marshall was asked by an advisor to speak in Washington DC about a federal program that had helped her achieve academic success. It was an opportunity to see herself in a new light professionally and understand the importance of public policy.

None of us achieves success alone. We have families, colleagues, friends, and mentors who help us clarify our goals, develop skills, and overcome obstacles, real or imagined.

Dr. Kennedy later spoke about how women assume they must wait until they have “all,” or at least 80% - 90% of a job’s qualifications before applying. Men feel ready to apply when they have 50% - 60% of the requirements.  Women need to look for mentors who will encourage them to seek opportunities and take risks, mentors who will help them see that you don’t have to check every box before advancing.   

The participants in “Professional Transitions” were fortunate to hear this message as they contemplate their own career paths.