As you may know from reading our blogs, mentors can have a huge impact on your career development. There are those who claim that women make better mentors and men make better sponsors. Like most generalizations, I don’t know if that is 100% true. I do know that the majority of company decision-makers are still men. Before the pandemic, that was slowly changing. According to McKinsey & Co.’s 2020 Women in the Workplace Report, between January 2015 and January 2020, representation of women in senior-vice-president positions grew from 23 to 28 percent, and representation in the C-suite grew from 17 to 21 percent.
COVID’s Impact on Power Women
Needless to say, the pandemic has made these power women an endangered species in the workplace. Since February 2020, over two million women have left the workforce. The pandemic has also forced many women to choose between caring for their children and working, as childcare options dried up while schools went virtual. A recent article in Forbes Magazine reported that senior-level women are 1.5 times more likely than senior-level men to think about downshifting their careers (or leaving the workforce entirely) because of Covid-19. Almost three in four women cite burnout as a main reason for leaving, with increased caregiving duties not far behind. Reentering the workplace may mean taking a lower position, and a slower path to promotions.
Next Steps on Cultivating Women Mentors
The above trends indicate that there could be fewer female mentors in the workplace. Therefore, it’s important to build these long-term relationships while you still can. Even if they are downsized or leave the workforce, you will continue to benefit from women mentors to guide you as you advance in your career. In the final analysis, whether or not you benefited from a mentor in your career, you should strive to support women at all levels around you.
The following articles may provide further insight on this topic:
https://wiw-report.s3.amazonaws.com/Women_in_the_Workplace_2020.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelleyzalis/2018/01/30/the-truth-about-career-breaks/?sh=86095a82a7d4
All of us here at Total Rebrand wish you the best in your future endeavors. Please remember to periodically check our websites for updates, new tools, and advice in helping you find the best job that will maximize both your wealth as well as your health. Happy job hunting!