Don’t Let Me Believe That—Tell Me This
International Day for Women and Girls in Science
It’s International Day for Women and Girls in Science, and I’ve been delivering my bestselling workshop, The Psychology of Selves: Beyond Imposter Syndrome, at Bristol Myers Squibb. Huge shout out to Maiara Camotti Montanha, Tajima Bibi, Sophie Thompson and the whole team for the invitation.
I don’t regret anything that has happened in my life because every experience has shaped the person I am today. However, there are things I wish I had known earlier. That’s why, in this phase of my life, I prioritise time and resources on mentors, coaches, and sponsors.
10 Things I Wish I’d Been Told
There are many more, but here are ten insights I wish I had known earlier in my career:
- Leaving academia is not failure. 90% of postdocs will need to transition beyond academia because there simply aren’t enough jobs available. Success in academia isn’t directly proportional to effort—luck, insider knowledge, your background, and your supervisor or team all play critical roles.
- When your ideas are ignored or claimed by others, remember—it’s not your fault. If you’ve ever stated an idea in a meeting, only to have it dismissed, then later repeated by a male colleague and taken seriously, know that these are microaggressions. Their bad behaviour does not define your worth.
- Starting a new profession doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Every career move builds on your existing skills and experiences—you are always moving forward.
- Your manager only sees a fraction of your potential. Don’t let their perception and dogma limit your ambitions.
- You don’t have to say yes just because an opportunity is offered. Saying no doesn’t mean there won’t be another chance. There are unlimited opportunities for those who can see and create them.
- Hard work alone won’t get you promoted. If you think doing the highest-quality work will naturally lead to recognition, think again. The people who progress are those who articulate what they want and where they’re heading—and enlist support in achieving it.
- Your network is your career insurance. Don’t wait until you need your network to start building it. Cultivate relationships early, engage actively, and make yourself visible.
- Sacrificing your health for your career is unsustainable. Without your health, what do you have?
- A career left on autopilot will only take you so far. At mid-career, you’ll need to reclaim intentionality and ownership over your trajectory.
- Don’t lead with flexibility questions in an interview. Negotiate your contract, salary, and benefits after you’ve been offered the job.
Reflect
There are countless other invaluable insights. What’s one thing you wish you had known earlier in your career? Share your thoughts in the comments below! ⬇️
As always, my inbox is open—I’m just an email away.
Keep opening up,
Hannah
P.S.
I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Intentional Careers for STEM Women audiobook which is happening on International Women’s Day 🚀. If you’ve read and enjoyed the written version, do please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It helps more than I can possibly express.
P.P.S: When you’re ready, here are four ways I can help you:
- 📖 Benchmark your career for free: Take the Career Accelerator Scorecard and receive a personalised report. Get started.
- 💻 Join the Intentional Careers™ Workshop: Register for free (£295 value). Multiple dates and times available. Sign up here.
- 🗣️ Explore the Career Design Mastermind: Book a call to see if it’s right for you—only 4 places left for January 2025. Learn more.
- 🎤 Book me as a speaker: Need inspiration for your next event? Hit reply or visit hannahnikeroberts.com.