International Women’s Day is dedicated to creating workplaces that embrace inclusivity, where women’s professional growth is encouraged, and their successes acknowledged. It reminds us to keep striving for gender equality.
As we approach March 8th, we’ve spoken to five leading women in our company to share some career advice they wish they would give their younger selves. From encouragements to speak up for what you need in your career to enjoying the present and viewing challenges as opportunities, Sophie Siekmann, Shinta Pratiknyo, Jenny Baerveldt, Annabel Vloeimans and Kristina Carerra offered pieces of wisdom they’d pass on to their younger selves.
Jenny Baerveldt, Human Resources Director
I would probably say to myself that staying true to yourself is not about becoming anything. It is about embracing both the beauty and the awkward imperfections when you look at yourself, at that moment. And I would say that it’s okay to not be okay.
Having said that: I would not change anything from the past. Perhaps I could have been kinder to myself, but all struggles and joy brought me to where I am right now. I live by the motto “Never stop learning” – I walk my path and I love it.
Shinta Pratiknyo, Operations and Growth Manager
If I could go back in time, here’s the career advice I’d share with my younger self.
1 – Always Keep Learning: Keep that spark of curiosity alive and never stop learning. The world is your classroom, and every experience is a lesson waiting to be learned.
2 – Find a mentor: Seek out mentors who can guide you along your path, regardless of where they come from. Their wisdom can open doors, provide perspective, and help you navigate the twists and turns of your career journey. Remember to pay it forward and mentor others as you grow.
3 - Move out of your comfort zone: Comfort zones are cosy, but they’re also where dreams hibernate. Challenge yourself to step outside the familiar, whether it’s exploring new roles, and organisations, or acquiring fresh skills. Growth happens when we dare to be uncomfortable.
4 - Embrace Risk and Failure: Risk-taking is the heartbeat of progress. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back; instead, see it as a stepping stone toward success. The journey may be tumultuous, but every setback is a chance to learn, adapt, and emerge stronger.
5 – Enjoy What You Do: Seek out work that ignites your passion and aligns with your values. Often, you may not find the perfect job, but if you look closely, there will be certain aspects of your job that enthuse you. Focus on those aspects and hone your skills so you can make a profession out of the parts you love.
6 – Work Doesn’t Define Who You Are: Remember that work is not your identity and doesn’t define who you are. Sure, you may love what you do. Sure, it’s great to have pride in your work but always remember that you are much more than this. You have many different facets of your life with work being just one of them. Be sure to keep it prioritised and balanced within the structure of your whole life.
So, younger me, focus on the bright spots, embrace the adventure, and above all, have fun along the way!
Sophie Siekmann, Global Communications Director
My career advice to my younger self, but also every other young woman, is to always be keen enough to speak up when it feels right, no matter who you’re talking to. Empowerment begins with the courage to raise your voice. For women in their careers, speaking up is, in my experience, a vital instrument for asserting presence, driving change, and shaping not only your future but also that of your company. And if you notice that your voice is neither heard nor respected, be brave enough to leave.
Kristina Carerra, Operations and Growth Manager
I would tell her to worry less about the path to being successful and to focus more on achieving joy from wherever she is, right now. I would encourage her to embrace any challenge and to appreciate every detour, pivot, hill, or valley in her career – because these are the building blocks that mould her & strengthen her into the person she will be. I would tell my younger self that her ‘origin story’ is not as important as she thinks it is, especially in the eyes of everyone else. It will not really matter what university she attended, the courses she took, or the extra credits she obtained; in fact, she will actually be recognised and appreciated more for her ability to work hard, her continuous search for knowledge and her fire.
But the most important piece of advice I would give my younger self would be to understand that there is a difference between existing and thriving, and sometimes the difference is so slight it is easy to confuse the two. I would encourage her to understand that existing can be satisfactory, it can be a happy day-to-day, a straight-ahead path where she knows what to expect and where she is going. But thriving is where change and growth really happen, and where she will make her mark. I would tell my younger self that thriving will be more a salary or an accolade, it will be taking the passion she feels on the inside and sharing it with the world. And she will know that she is thriving when she’s reached what she thinks is the apex of success. And she will still be hungry – not because she is greedy, but because she will know that her path is not yet finished and there are more great things to experience.
Annabel Vloeimans, Head of Legal
I would give my younger self the following advice: Don’t be afraid to speak out on what it is you need and want. Men do it all the time ;-).