For me, attending a women’s-oriented conference is often more for inspiration than information. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the recent Tech Up for Women Conference at the Javits Center in New York, offered both. Speakers from a range of industries not only shared their struggles to find the right career path and overcome obstacles, but they also offered valuable insights in their respective areas of expertise. The big topics were career management and the impact of data and new technology in specific areas of expertise.
Career Management
When I set out on my career path, I had no idea where the road would lead and generally went with the flow of opportunities. But it probably wasn’t the most strategic way to go. Navigating a career path takes a combination of acumen, discipline, and opportunity. And all three are valuable skills that every professional should develop. Take Randi Zuckerberg, for example, who launched the Zuckerberg Institute when she left her job as director of market development at Facebook. Granted, she had a step up from the general crowd as the sister of Mark Zuckerberg, but her path to success on her own was not guaranteed.
