Diversity City Presents:

1
Diversity City Presents

• D.C. Forum
• Tips for Breaking Through

2
About Me

• Born and raised in Kentucky
• Attended Emory University in Atlanta
• Studied abroad in Paris
• Received my Masters of Science from the London
  School of Economics in Information Systems
• Interned in Parliament
• Pursuing my Doctor of Laws Degree (JD) at
  Harvard Law School

3
London vs. America

• Both economically, socially, and culturally
  London and the Southeast of England have just as
  many opportunities as the United States
• Dont think you have to move to the States in
  order to have the career of your dreams
• But you can

4
Getting in to Harvard

• Harvard Law School gets over 10,000 applications
• But only 700-800 students are accepted
• Approx. 3,000 applicants are academically
  qualified
• Most of these people still dont get in
• Leadership service make the difference

5
So what makes you different?

• Have you worked in politics?
• Have you traveled somewhere interesting?
  (Caribbean/Africa)
• Have you participated in any big community
  service projects?
• All of the above? A community service project in
  a foreign country looks stellar.

6
Networking - Its Half the Battle

• Many of the people who apply for jobs and places
  in exclusive academic programs are qualified
• In addition to leadership and service, knowing
  someone can make a huge difference
• Although you may not be connected now--you can
  be!

7
Be Bold!

• Identify people who can help you
• Write to them!
• Ask to meet them for afternoon tea/coffee
• Never ask them for help with a job out-right

8
Ask for Advice

• Ask them about how they got their start
• Ask them about the work they do
• Ask them what they love about their job
• How did they get their foot in the door?
• Ask for advice on how someone in your position
  might get a start
• Never ask for help finding a job out-right
• That crosses the line from ambitious to obnoxious
  

9
Follow up!

• After they meet with you, be sure to send them a
  thank you letter/email
• Put them on your holiday card list
• Successful people are busy and they meet new
  people all the time
• Youve got to make sure that they remember YOU
• If you can, try to offer to help them in some way
  
• Volunteer some time to help them
• Research something for them

10
Making it to the Executive Level

• So what happens when you actually get the job?
• There are two tracks in any company
• The fast track to the executive level
• Flat-line
• Theres no reason you cant make it onto the
  fast-track
• Even if youre not from the traditional
  background
• It may require some strategy and creative thinking

11
Benefits of the Fast-Track

• Managers and executives make time to give you
  inside tips and training that no one else gets
• Youre entrusted with responsibility earlier than
  others
• You work on high profile projects
• You build important relationships both inside and
  outside of your company

12
Organizational Structure Pyramid

• In any company there are
• A few senior managers and executives at the top
• More managers in the middle
• Relatively larger number of entry-level, junior
  positions
• Senior managers and executives dont have time to
  mentor everyone
• But their help is the most critical to success

13
Show Them What You Got!

• High Grades (No debate about that)
• Reputation of your University/School
• Previous experience
• Competence
• You may have to prove yourself more than once in
  order to make it onto the fast-track
• Passion Love what you do and it will show in
  your work
• Repeatedly demonstrating your competence at your
  current level is enjoyable, not tedious

14
Finding a Mentor

• Managers tend to favor people who remind them of
  themselves
• Whatever the manager likes -- you like!
• Try to socialize with your boss (drinks and
  dinner are critical)
• Ask to work on high-profile projects
• Particularly projects that will allow you to
  build relationships with people in other
  businesses

15
Look Outside of Your Job Too

• There are a myriad of organizations where you can
  find mentors and build relationships with other
  successful people
• BME Organizations
• Womens Organizations
• Political Organizations
• Organizations centered around outside activities
  (like sports or other common interests)

16
Networking Makes You Valuable

• The more relationships you build the more value
  you can add to your company
• Expanding the reach of your business which can
  lead to new clients and business
• Receiving training and mentoring from outside
  individuals makes you a more productive employee
• It gives you more career options for the future