How Diverse Pathways Contribute to Career Success

Happy International Women in Engineering Day! 👩🏻🔧 "In this op-ed for The Manufacturer, Jennifer Frith, factory development director at critical power solutions provider Davenham Switchgear, explores why, despite ongoing efforts, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering and technology, and addressing this gap is crucial not only for fairness but also for tackling talent shortages, driving innovation, and ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. The impact of poor diversity levels goes far beyond being a social issue. A more diverse workforce will offer a wider range of perspectives; something advantageous when it comes to solving business problems. So much so, that research by McKinsey has found that companies with more diversity at executive levels were 40% more likely to surpass their competitors in terms of profitability. Coupled with the fact that hiring in STEM has become more difficult than ever – with almost half (49%) of engineering and technology companies struggling to recruit due to skills shortages – boosting diversity and ensuring fair opportunities within the sector shouldn’t be a one-off event. Rather, it needs to be part of a wider, long-term strategy to drive innovation and stability. Despite this clear need for change, there’s still a number of barriers in the way to the industry achieving a truly diverse workforce. Challenging career pathways: Firstly, I think the idea of career pathways and the perceived need to have a science or engineering background to succeed in the industry holds people back. But that shouldn’t be the case. I’m proof that a career in STEM doesn’t have to follow the ‘expected’, or linear, route. I began by studying media and photography at university before I took up a part-time job as an operator on the shop floor to earn some money. I ended up staying, working my way up to becoming a team leader and then to production manager, looking after a team of 150. I later had the opportunity to undertake further training in management and lean manufacturing strategies, which eventually brought me to my current role as factory development director at Davenham. My position now is more of a coaching role, with the aim of supporting efficient modern-day manufacturing. Essentially, I take my understanding of the manufacturing process to find ways to optimise it, working closely with our team of engineers to make things quicker, easier and safer. It’s probably not what most media and photography graduates end up doing, but my pathway shows that you don’t necessarily need a STEM degree to climb the ladder. It’s important that, as a sector, we broaden our perspectives, especially to plug the recruitment gap. It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, as long as you’re willing to learn and put in the work." Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/et-zZVsm #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels

How often do we hear the phrase thinking outside the box, yet find ourselves trapped within the confines of conventional wisdom when it comes to talent acquisition? This is especially true in high-stakes fields like cybersecurity, where the temptation to follow a well-trodden path can be overwhelming. But what if I told you that the key to unlocking unparalleled innovation and strengthening your cybersecurity defenses lies in embracing unconventional career paths? Consider for a moment the journey of someone who hasn’t followed the traditional route into cybersecurity. These individuals often bring a wealth of diverse experiences, problem-solving skills honed in different arenas, and a fresh perspective that might just be what your team needs to think creatively about tackling security challenges. From art and philosophy to engineering and beyond, each discipline trains its practitioners in unique ways of seeing the world. When such diverse perspectives collide in the cybersecurity realm, the potential for groundbreaking solutions multiplies. So, as leaders and recruiters in this field, let's challenge ourselves to look beyond checkboxes and predefined career ladders. Let’s value diversity of thought and experience as much as we do technical expertise. By doing so, we not only open our doors to an untapped pool of talent but also foster an environment ripe for innovation. At Haiku, we use video games to allow those who may not gravitate towards traditional STEM learning methods (lectures, videos, cyber labs) to learn actual cybersecurity skills that they can use to get lucrative jobs. Their unique journeys could very well be the missing piece in our quest to build resilient and dynamic teams capable of outsmarting cyber threats. After all, isn't adapting to unexpected challenges what cybersecurity is all about? #Cybersecurity #TalentAcquisition #DiversityInTech #Innovation

Career Zigs and Zags: Growth Isn’t Always Upward—And That’s OK! When we think about career progression, we often imagine climbing a straight ladder—one title, one promotion at a time. But the most rewarding journeys are rarely linear. Often, it’s the unexpected zigs and zags—sideways steps, new roles, entirely new fields, and unplanned pivots—that unlock the greatest growth. Here’s why career zigs and zags matter: 1️⃣ Broadening Perspective Builds Influence:
Stepping into new teams, roles, or functions deepens your understanding of the business. It sharpens strategic thinking, helps you connect the dots, and expands your credibility as a leader. 2️⃣ Diverse Experiences Build Agility:
Stretching outside your comfort zone strengthens adaptability, making you more confident in navigating challenges and embracing change. 3️⃣ Growth is an Investment, Not a Race:
It’s tempting to measure success by how quickly you climb the ladder. But true success isn’t about speed—it’s about growth. Lateral moves or pivots help you grow strategically, building the skills, perspectives, and resilience that set you apart for the long run. Growth isn’t always upward, but it’s always forward. The path to success is rarely a straight line—those detours we don’t plan often lead us exactly where we’re meant to go. What career zigs and zags have shaped your journey? Let’s discuss! #CareerAdvice #GrowthMindset

Friends, tonight, I want to address two common concerns that many of you have shared with me, concerns often seen as career setbacks. However, I believe these are not just positive, but pivotal steps in our professional journeys. 1. Diverse Roles Across Multiple Domains: the first point is about trying different roles, whether that's across organizations, divisions, functions, or even industries. It's a widespread belief that this indicates instability or lack of focus. I beg to differ. 2. Being in a Less-than-ideal Role: the second is about finding oneself in a role or function that doesn't feel quite right. It's easy to view this as a misstep. Yet, I see it as a valuable learning experience and a gift. In the early stages of our careers, everything is about selection and exploring possibilities. You could be anything - a fireman, a teacher, a dentist, an actor, and more. But as time progresses, our journey shifts from selection to elimination. Each role or industry we try and move on from helps us understand what we don't enjoy or want to pursue, narrowing our focus and making our path clearer. For many seasoned professionals, including myself, this process of elimination has led us to be able now to dismiss a vast array of opportunities outright, as we've learned they don't align with our goals or interests. My own experiences across various industries, like investment banking, taught me what wasn't right for me, helping me to refine my path. This approach is particularly crucial for those in college or starting their careers. Don’t limit your options too soon. Explore different courses, try varied jobs. How else will you discover what truly resonates with you? There might be a role you'll love that you haven't even considered yet. To those feeling stuck in a job that doesn't seem fulfilling, remember Thomas Edison's approach with the light bulb. Each experience is a step toward eliminating what doesn’t work for you, bringing you closer to that role where you'll thrive. Don't fear the perception of being a 'job hopper' or not sticking to one path. The role you'll love most might just be around the next corner. Your career is a journey of exploration, and every step, whether it feels right or wrong at the time, is a valuable part of that journey. Let's embrace the twists and turns of our professional paths. They aren't just inevitable; they are essential.

The long road to career success is a two-way street between the efforts of the manager and the individual employee. We traversed one way in a recent post discussing ways in which managers can help their teams and employees succeed. Now, I would like to take a stroll to the other side and share some insights from my own experiences as well as suggest some ways people can forge their path.   The most important way to take charge of your own career is self-advocacy. It starts by picking a destination or at least direction. Then looking at the different roads that lead toward the industry or discipline of your choice so you can start advocating for opportunities to learn and to take responsibilities that will get you there.   While a “road map” is important, I also recommend keeping an open mind in the face of an unexpected detour or fork in the road. In my own career there were several pivotal moments where I faced choices that seemed less than ideal at first. But these detours turned out to be invaluable learning experiences that shaped my professional journey. One such moment came early in my career. I was working on payload fairings for rockets, a role that I thoroughly enjoyed and found engaging, but one that landed squarely in the middle of my comfort zone. Sure enough, discomfort came shortly, in the form of the Berlin Wall falling. The event triggered a domino effect of restructuring, program cuts and workforce reductions. I was asked to shift my focus to working on boosters — a task I perceived as far less exciting.   Reluctantly, on my manager’s advice, I decided to give it a shot. I embraced the work with curiosity and immersed myself into learning about composites design, stainless steel tank design, and leading a comprehensive test and development program. The decision proved to be a turning point in my career. We presented our findings from the test program I led to NASA and the Air Force, and the experience broadened my perspective and skill set in ways I never anticipated.   A well-prepared traveler also keeps abreast with the conditions not only on their planned path but also alternative routes. For example, having knowledge about manufacturing and products makes for a better engineer. Another aspect that determines the quality of one’s journey is their fellow travelers. As vast as the industry space seems, it can sometimes be a small world. Maintaining good relationships and not burning bridges keeps you from getting lost with nowhere to go and no one to help.   For anyone embarking a journey for career advancement, my advice would be to stay open to embracing new skills, opportunities, and people. Who knows where the road may lead? In the famous words of Dr. Suess - “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.” I look forward to your comments on your own career journeys! Happy travels!

🌟 From canvas to commerce, spreadsheets to scrum boards. 🌟 I couldn’t have predicted my unconventional journey to tech consulting. Working in tech was never on my radar. The first discipline I learned was art, then accounting as an auditor, project management when I started in consulting then product management. After different clients and industries, I discovered that my diverse experience was an asset. 🎨My art background taught me creativity and empathy, essential for understanding user needs. 📊 Accounting instilled attention to detail and analytical skills, crucial for data-driven decision-making. 🗓 Project management honed my ability to prioritize and adapt, vital for agile environments. 🚀 And product management consulting showed me how to merge business objectives with technical solutions. If you're looking to navigate the complexity of tech and business today, consider developing these skills: ➡ Strategy: Understand how to create value for the business and customers. ➡ Digital Transformation: Learn how to drive change and adoption. ➡ Agile: Master the methodologies and frameworks that enable rapid iteration and delivery. ➡ Product Management: Develop skills to define and deliver products that meet customer needs. ➡ Teaching and Coaching: Learn how to communicate complex ideas simply and empower others to succeed. ➡ Design Thinking: Understand how to craft intuitive user experiences that drive engagement. ➡ Data Analysis: Develop skills to extract insights from data and inform business decisions. Embrace your eclectic background and leverage it to succeed. Don't be afraid to learn from different fields and industries. -- Share your own stories of diverse experiences in the comments below. Let's celebrate the power of unconventional paths in tech and business! P.S. The view is from a recent run! 🏃🏾♀️ + 🌳 = 😊 #womeninbusiness #productmanagement #womenintech