May 2023 Volume 5

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

A sponsor is a person that talks to you about your goals, guides you in the right direction, and endorses you to others when you are not around. They essentially leverage their social capital to help facilitate your desired next steps. These career catalysts are often critical to your next promotion or position, or initiative because they often highlight your skills and contributions to influencers or decision makers. An Advisory Board are key connections you assemble within your inner circle upon whom you call for advice, guidance, or support. This group of career catalysts is my preferred approach as I often require different people for different things. Investing in relationships has granted me the opportunity to have a few career catalysts to turn to for different aspects of my career, which is extremely helpful and insightful as I am building potential areas within my career to increase my influence and impact. Note that your mentors, sponsors, and advisory board will likely change over time. Along with your career coaches, if you choose to hire one, because as you evolve, so do the people you turn to for support, advice, sponsorship, and guidance. Having gratitude for every step along your career path with a focus on the people who have made the time to help is key to your journey. In fact, I wrote a chapter called Gratitude for Your Guides in my latest book SEEKING: 74 Key Findings to Raise Your Energy, Sidestep Your Self-Doubts, and Align with Your Life’s Work.

People you sponsor may not be in your office, site, or even inside your work network, they could be people in your neighborhood, community, or even friends of friends. Some of my most rewarding sponsorship work has been helping women get their first professional job out of high school, college, or trade school. I have helped them write resumes, prepare for interviews, arrange meetings with hiring managers, or given them computer bags and professional attire. I have found that some of the smallest efforts could be a life-changing impact! Be sure to make the time to define your goals, find your key connections, and be a sponsor for others. Join me on May 24th at The Women in Forging Luncheon in Cleveland, Ohio, at Forge Fair 2023.

With over 20 years in the tech industry, JJ DiGeronimo is no stranger to navigating the twists and turns of career advancement from entry-level into leadership positions and board seats. As the Founder of Tech Savvy Women, she grew the global community to 8,000 members representing various technical disciplines. In JJ’s book Accelerate Your Impact, you’ ll find the information that will help you

strategically plan and execute your career goals. This professional playbook for women includes initiatives to accelerate your professional growth. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Thrive Global. Through her three books, keynotes, and popular podcast, Career Strategies for Women that Work, JJ shares proven key findings that help women gain more seats at more tables. Discover her work at www.JJDiGeronimo.com

Here is where I highlight some of the key connections in my career that have brought me to the work I do today. Be a Sponsor Finally, as you advance in your career, make sure to look behind you, around you, and near you to extend a hand, or an ear or take action to advance others. It’s been called throwing a hand back, but one thing is for sure; we have a duty to help others as we have been helped along the way.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023 63