How did one woman make it up the corporate ladder? She raised her hand.

6 essential insights

I got a Master’s degree in Human Resources (HR) and moved out to Los Angeles to be near my boyfriend (now husband.) Praxair is a leading producer of industrial gasses and I landed a job in their HR department. It should come as no surprise; I was the only female sitting at the conference table. I was the HR manager for 3 years, and then moved back to Chicago to get married.

It can be risky when your company offers you an opportunity. What happens if you don’t take it? Praxair offered me a sales position in San Francisco. We even put a bid on an apartment, but my gut was telling me I didn’t want to go back to CA, so I turned it down. I felt that my decision might have jeopardized my future with the company, so eventually I called a head hunter who connected me with MetLife.

The hiring manager was wonderful, and I was offered a job in HR where I’d manage a team. Even better, we got to stay in Chicago. I did this for 3 ½ years when a colleague said, “I think you should explore being a sales account executive.” I had turned down the sales position with Praxair, but in my gut, I thought this time it’s a fit for me. So, I agreed to cover the St. Louis territory where the sales AE was taking a maternity leave.

I had no training. Basically, I had a mentor and a manager who I could call with questions. I flew to St. Louis every week and called on brokers by myself. There was a lot of pressure because I was tasked with keeping the territory healthy. After 3 months, I had covered and maintained the territory. Throughout, I built a network whose support was invaluable.

**Jen and Family**

“With two young kids at home, I would never have made it through this without the support of my husband…”

Raising your hand

Once back in Chicago, the Central Illinois territory opened, and I had raised my hand to say, “I’m ready for this.” I put a business plan together and got the job. This was a driving territory. I’d drive 3 hours each week to get there, spend 3 days calling on clients and then head back to Chicago. I did this for 4 years during which time, I had 2 kids—first my daughter Macie and 13 months later my son Brody.

After my second child, there were changes in the company and I got moved up to larger clients. Again, I had no formal training but with the help of my network and great mentors, I figured it out. In fact, the second year in the job had my best sales year. And something else—breast cancer.

Fighting through

I was out for 5 weeks following a mastectomy. During a 2-year time frame, I had radiation while I continued working. With two young kids at home, I would never have made it through this without the support of my husband, my parents and my personal and professional support network.

As a result of that experience, I got better at raising my hand. After my breast cancer journey, a job opened up for a Regional Director. I didn’t get it, but I became Sales Advisory Council Chair Person. I led an internal group of account executives and became a voice for employees—a valuable learning experience.

When MetLife went through a re-org, I raised my hand for the job of National Account Executive, managing “jumbo” clients. Again, without formal training, I managed to figure it out as I went. With two years under my belt, I raised my hand again when the Regional Director’s position for the company’s Aurora Sales Team became available. I got it.

When the Regional VP job opened up in Chicago two years later, up went the hand. But I didn’t get it. However, by making my ambitions known, the company looked at me for another Regional Director position in Chicago and I got that job. After 5 years running a team of 7, I just saw an opening the Regional VP, the same job I went for before. I start the interview process next week!

Taking chances

I’ve been with MetLife for 17 years, and about every 2 to 3 years I’ve raised my hand when an opportunity presented itself. Did I get them all? No. Was I faced with personal hurdles? Absolutely. Did I do it alone? No way. I want to share these experiences with women because we can be each other’s best support system.

I was recently invited to speak at a women’s sales conference. I shared this with my family and, unsolicited, my daughter wrote her own version and said, “Mom, I think you should add this to your speech.” That’s when I knew I was making a difference. Here’s what she wrote:

“We are girls. We don’t need to be bossed around by boys. We can dream and not give up. We can stand up for ourselves and have our own imagination. Girls can rule kindness and strongness. We should ask boys to help. Let’s do it together.”

**Macie Rosenberg**

“Mom, I think you should add this to your speech.” That’s when I knew I was making a difference.

6 Insights for my women friends:

1. Raise your hand even when you’re scared or don’t really feel ready

2. Be confident and courageous

3. Have a personal support system

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

5. Know you can do it

La Jolie MLN: ”It’s our mission to give young ladies the lessons all of you can share with us. So, let’s share our experiences, strength and stories.

I cordially invite you to join a cohort of empowered women. Please send your stories to Blog@lajolie-mln.com