- Introduction by Women of NATE Committee Member Rebecca Halstead
- WON Profile: Lisa Carlee
- Where will you find the Women of NATE?
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Event Highlights
- Feature Articles: Why Non-Linear Career Paths Are the Future
- Book Recommendation
Release:
September 6, 2023
Women of NATE Today Newsletter
Volume 5, Issue 9
As I was looking at all of the first day of school, college, and even career pictures on social media this year, I stopped to think about where I am now and how different my path is from where I started in the industry. When I began my career, I started in customer service and had no idea where I wanted to go or how I would get there. I am very thankful to not have had a lined-out career path and instead have focused on growing my skillset over the years and taking on multiple challenges to get where I am today.
In this month’s article “Why Non-Linear Career Paths are the Future,” author Caroline Castrillon discusses the evolution of modern-day career paths. The four main reasons for non-linear career paths she identifies include: longer work lives, a shift in priorities, skills-based hiring, and the rapidly evolving workplace.
This article resonated with me as I have not had a linear career path at all. I have used my skills to take on any opportunity that I felt I could handle from sales to operations. This flexibility has allowed me to wear multiple hats all while staying in an industry I love and maintaining a work-life balance that truly works for me!
In a time with so many companies reducing headcount, and so many talented peers looking for new opportunities, I encourage you to read this month’s article and look outside of the box of your most recent position when moving forward. The skills you have will lead you into the future, even if it is a different one then you had envisioned.
“Your career is like a garden. It can hold an assortment of life’s energy that yields a bounty for you. You do not need to grow just one thing in your garden. You do not need to do just one thing in your career.” – Jennifer Ritchie Payette
Rebecca Halstead is the Senior Director of Wireless Business Operations at Falcon Tower. She can be reached at rebecca.Halstead@kgp.com or 443-876-6417.
WON Profile: Lisa Carlee
Lisa Carlee is the Director of Procurement for Nokia – North America. During her time with the corporation, Lisa has spent 27 years in procurement having roles in indirect, product and services procurement, new product introduction, procurement project management, leading the company’s supplier relationship management program, managing commodity teams and directing operational functions.
She also has responsibility for Nokia’s Supplier Diversity Program.
Lisa is part of the leadership team for Nokia’s National Leadership Association Dallas chapter and she is a member of Nokia’s StrongHER organization. She is also a member of the Women of NATE (WON) Committee as well as part of the 2023 Women’s Leadership Summit Task Team.
Lisa received her undergraduate degree in Finance and International Business, and her MBA from the Pennsylvania State University. Lisa also has a Project Management Professional certification. She and her husband recently celebrated their 25-year wedding anniversary. Lisa is the proud mother of a 23-year-old daughter that is an accountant, and a 20-year-old son that is an Engineering student. She is originally from New Jersey and currently resides in Texas.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
I have been supporting Nokia’s Supplier Diversity Program for many years. In 2014, I was asked to be a panel discussion participant at the Gender and Procurement Stakeholder Meeting representing the private sector as part of a UN Commonwealth Business Council in New York City. Surrounded by representatives from many nations, I still remember this opportunity very fondly.
What are three career lessons you have learned thus far?
First, be resilient. If you work in telecom, then you have probably been through your fair share of mergers and acquisitions. Resilience is a needed character trait to weather the storm. Second, embrace change. I think change is one of the only constants I have had in my 27-year career. Third, own your career path. This might mean taking a leap of faith into an area that interests you. Or it might mean getting the training or certifications needed to work elsewhere. You may even need to make a lateral move, not a promotion, to get to your next career step.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Vacations are always spent with family and usually involves a sports event. But I always take my birthday off and focus on me! Pampering from head to toe, a needed recharge day.
What is the weirdest job you have ever had?
As a Finance major in my undergrad, I had an internship with Merrill Lynch. In preparation for an Estate Planning seminar, I had to call clients and invite them to attend. Unfortunately, more than half the people I called were deceased. Having conversations with their loved ones helped me to learn how to be an empathetic listener.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
Getting $120 of product at LOFT for only $1.07. Sorry, a little procurement humor! True story though.
For me, life is a series of accomplishments. I have raised two well-rounded children with good values, work ethic, and who contribute to society. I have been married for 25 years to the same man – insane! I have managed to survive and thrive in my career with the same company for nearly three decades – an anomaly! A successful college career with lots of accolades, being a good daughter and friend, etc., etc., etc. To me these are all relevant accomplishments.
By the way, if you had asked my husband this question, he would reply: the day I sold the snowblower and we moved to Texas.
What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Simply stated: network, network, network. A network will help you grow, support you, and may even help you find your next career opportunity. I started a networking challenge with all my new hires. I was inspired to do this a few years ago at a business event when I looked around our table and found all the same people I always hung out with. So, I challenged everyone to meet ten new people at the event and the first one back to our table was the winner. I was not the winner that night, but I do have a very strong network.
What are your hopes for our industry?
I am going to reiterate the vision of Nokia’s StrongHER organization and hope that our industry is “where women get the same level of opportunities as men and are well represented in all business domains and functions."
What is the best book you have ever read?
I am an avid reader and always have been. Personally, I like stories that involve some historical events or characters. Horse by Geraldine Brooks intertwines a few stories that all come together in the end – genius. It is a piece of American history that is not well known too.
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Being a line manager for over 20 years, I have had to perform all supervisory activities including layoffs. At one point in my career, an entire team was transferred to me just so I could terminate them. I had no input on this, however I made the best of the situation and helped anyone that wanted to stay, find other jobs.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Italy is on the top of my list. I am part Italian and I appreciate the art, food, traditions and beauty of that country.
What's your motto?
My motto is “if you don’t try you won’t succeed.” I live by this motto and have shared it with my children and work colleagues. If you don’t try, nothing changes. If you try and aren’t successful, then you are back to where you started with nothing lost. So, why not try?
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Chocolate! For about 20 years, I was fortunate enough to live just over an hour’s drive from Chocolate World – yes, this wonderful place exists! Hershey, Pennsylvania has a great amusement park too.
Where will you find the Women of NATE?
Take Women of NATE with you!
Are you traveling for work or taking a leisure vacation?
Take a creative photo holding a Women of NATE (WON) logo in front of a landmark that lets us know where you are.
(Above) The Watertown Area P.A.C.H (People Against Child Hunger) celebrated kids returning to school with a Back to School Food Drive from August 21-25, 2023, accepting food and monetary donations. NATE Administrative Staff Members Vicki Dahl, Sandy Jurgens, Rhonda Arbogast, and Beth Brinkman are pictured with NATE's contributions.
(Above) Vice President & COO Lesley Liarikos from Tower Systems, Inc. stopped by the NATE administrative office in Watertown, South Dakota.
Submit your photos along with your name and location to nikki@natehome.com for a chance to be showcased in an upcoming Newsletter or social media post.
Upcoming Events
Register to Attend and Sponsor the Upcoming NATE WIN Rocky Mountain Regional Conference
NATE Wireless Industry Network (WIN) is excited to announce the speakers and sessions for the upcoming NATE WIN Rocky Mountain Regional Conference to be held on Wednesday, October 4, in Centennial (Denver), Colorado. The agenda is crafted to address key issues occurring in the industry right now, and how companies can adapt in these uncertain times.
Topics discussed at the Regional Conference will include an inside look at DISH's nationwide network that is under development, a view from the field from a contractor's perspective, discussions on the challenges and opportunities associated with closing the "digital divide," and more. Attendees can expect to gain invaluable insights from the lineup of speakers and panel discussions scheduled for this event.
To register or become a sponsor for the NATE WIN Rocky Mountain Regional Conference, please scan the QR code in the graphic below, or click HERE.
Make your hotel reservations today! The Hampton Inn DTC South is the Host Hotel for the 2023 Rocky Mountain Regional Conference.
Hotel reservations are due by Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Once the WIN Rocky Mountain Regional Conference room block has been filled, which could occur prior to Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the hotel will not guarantee availability.
Standard Room: Single or Double Occupancy $116/night.
Recent Event Highlights
(Above) The Women of NATE Committee met at the NATE Summer Conference to plan the September newsletter, WON Education Scholarship, NATE UNITE 2024, and the upcoming Women's Leadership Summit in Grapevine, Texas, on September 21, 2023.
(Left) NATE Event and Meetings Manager Shari Wirkus visits with Kaylee Stechmann of Estech Magnetics at the NATE booth at ISE EXPO in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Right) Employees of MILLERCO welcome Congressman Mike Ezell on a site visit in the 4th Congressional District of Mississippi.
(Left) Sarah Buell of Buell Consulting is pictured with NATE's Director of Finance and Human Resources Kari Stein and Manager of Wireless Industry Network (WIN) Megan Reiffenberger at the Fiber Connect Conference in Kissimmee, Florida.
(Right) Vice President & COO Lesley Liarikos from Tower Systems, Inc. was a panelist on a Workforce Development Panel at the Fiber Connect Conference in Kissimmee, Florida
(Above) StrongHer's "Bring Your Daughter to Work" Day at Nokia - A Grand Success! On the 1st of August the StrongHer US Dallas Chapter was delighted to host their first "Bring Your Daughter to Work" Day. It was a day filled with exploration, inspiration, and empowerment, reflecting Nokia's passion for fostering the next generation of female leaders in STEM.
Why Non-Linear Career Paths Are the Future
It used to be that people would map out their careers in a very linear fashion. For example, let's say you wanted to be a lawyer. You would plan to go to good schools, land a job with a top firm, and in several years, work your way up to partner. But things don’t always turn out as planned. Maybe you get your law degree but can't pass the bar exam. Or you join a top firm and get laid off after a year or two because of declining profits and rising expenses. You might even become a lawyer only to discover after a few years that it’s not your passion. What then? That’s where non-linear career paths come into play.
A non-linear career path is different from job hopping. Job hopping implies that you’re moving from role to role indiscriminately. These people are viewed as flaky and unreliable. When we talk about non-linear career paths, they are intentional. Your career may not follow a straight line, but there's still a bit of planning involved.
As employers and employees face an ever-changing job market, non-linear career paths are becoming the new normal. Here are some reasons why.
People are working longer
According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, 1 in 6 people will be 60 years or over. By 2050, that number is expected to double. With individuals living longer, the traditional 40-year career will slowly become a thing of the past. Instead, the 60-year career is much more likely. But for people to remain in the workforce for that long, they will need to find satisfying roles so they don't burn out. Very few people will want to stay in the same job for 60 years. Not to mention the fact that needs and interests change over time. That means non-linear career paths that require lifelong learning and skill enhancement will become much more common.
Values and priorities have changed
There’s no question that values and attitudes changed during the pandemic. In a Gartner survey, 65% of people agreed that the pandemic shifted their attitude toward the importance of aspects outside work, while 50% said that their expectations toward their employer changed. While salary is important, workers are looking for more than just a paycheck. Increasingly, flexible and remote working options, work-life balance and career development opportunities are coming to the forefront. When people think about their ideal workplace, they want to feel valued, trusted and inspired. As a result, non-linear career paths that offer these types of benefits will become more common.
Skills are center stage
In recent years, companies have been more willing to embrace skills-based hiring—where they consider applicants who don't necessarily have a college degree or minimum years of experience. It’s becoming a top workplace trend for several reasons. First, despite a challenging economy, companies struggle to attract and retain top talent. A skills-based hiring approach expands the talent pool, accelerates the time to hire and reduces hiring costs. It's also a great way to further workplace diversity, equity and inclusion by tearing through the "paper ceiling" that holds people back from being considered for roles they are qualified for. That means nontraditional candidates and self-taught career-switchers will have greater opportunities moving forward.
The workplace is rapidly evolving
This is a tough time for the labor market, where entire industries are trying to fill gaps in the workforce. Over the next decade, the workplace will change dramatically, with companies looking for skills that don't even exist today. In addition, employees feel less engaged and are less loyal to employers. According to Energage Research, survey data collected from employees at more than 4,000 companies show that employee engagement levels have fallen lower than during the pandemic. The research also revealed lower levels of loyalty as employees leave their employer for a new one. This shift in loyalty isn’t surprising, given that employee burnout and stress are at all-time highs. In addition, the staggering number of layoffs and hiring freezes announced over the past several months have eroded employee loyalty. All these elements combined contribute to more workers pursuing non-linear career paths.
Lifetime employment at a single job is largely a thing of the past. While some employers may frown upon non-linear careers, those attitudes are quickly changing. Companies now want flexible workers who can adapt to evolving work situations. Make purpose and passion your guide. By leveraging your transferable skills and stepping outside your comfort zone, you’ll be able to build a career that inspires and motivates you for years to come.
Caroline Castrillon is a career and leadership coach who helps professional women navigate career change. Her goal is to help women find their power so they can be true to themselves and achieve career fulfillment. She started her company, Corporate Escape Artist, after a successful 25-year marketing career working for organizations like Sony, Dell, and AMD. So, she understands the challenges, pitfalls, and frustrations that women experience when climbing the corporate ladder. She is also a first-generation American and proud Latina, and is especially passionate about supporting women of diverse backgrounds.
In addition to being a Forbes contributor, you can find her on LinkedIn and her blog at corporateescapeartist.com/blog. Her work is also regularly featured in publications including the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Inc., Success Magazine and many others.
This article was previously published on forbes.com.
Book Recommendation of the Month
