Kittle women on the advice they’d give to female graduates new to the workplace

What words of wisdom do you wish someone had told you at the start of your career? Young women are currently one of the fastest growing working groups, with 7.7% more women aged 16-24 moving into employment year-on-year.

In celebration of International Women's Day, Georgia and Pippa, part of our most recent cohort, asked female colleagues for advice they’d give not only to Kittle new hires, but also to other women entering the workforce. Their responses touched on the themes of confidence, self-advocacy, seeking out a support network, financial independence, and self-care. Here's what they said:

“Take in the feedback you’re being given without focusing solely on the negatives. The things you’re doing well at do not cease to exist or have meaning simply because there are areas you need to improve.”

-Faye, a 2022 university graduate

"Become financially aware: calculate and actually understand your incomings and outgoings. Don’t just bury your head in the sand – by setting a savings goal, even a small one, you’ll feel more motivated to stick to it. If you have a bad day/week/month, don't feel guilty, just refocus when you can.”

– Georgia, part of our first 2023 cohort

“Careers are no longer static – my mum’s job didn’t even exist when she graduated! Even if you aren’t sure what your future looks like, it helps map out a plan and research your options. Be vocal about where you’d like your career to go, take opportunities you might not have previously considered, and seek out a mentor if you can.”

– Pippa, a recent hire following a career change

“Feel free to be unapologetically woman. For instance, when male colleagues ask about why I'm using a hot water bottle I just tell them I'm on my period because it really shouldn't be that big of a deal and destigmatisation is super important in my view.”

– Minette, who joined in 2022

“Don't sell yourself short. If you're someone who sets a high bar for yourself, it will motivate you, but can also trip you up in that you accept far less than you deserve. You can come up with a hundred reasons why you're not ready, not qualified or experienced enough to be paid fairly or apply to companies which do pay fairly, but... don't do that. Given that it plays into an already-gaping gender pay gap (estimated in the UK to be approximately 5-9%), you're not just harming yourself, but all your female colleagues.”

– Laura, who joined in 2022 after 7 years in marketing and PR

“Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. If you think you deserve a pay rise, communicate it. Be confident to put yourself forward to lead on a certain project: make your voice heard."

– Georgia

“Take advantage of the networks around you. You don't have to attend events for women just because you fit a demographic: it's more a case of embracing the launchpads that are out there and want to see you succeed. You'll take that confidence with you into every room afterwards.”

– Laura

After speaking to our colleagues, it’s clear to see how important it is to consistently build upon a support network of information that benefits women daily, not just on International Women’s Day. By creating dialogues around collectively improving awareness of women’s issues, we’re ensuring a fairer future for women entering the workplace.

Let us know what advice you’d give a female colleague just starting out in your field in the comments below.?