In today's episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole is joined by Meghan Weeks, recent graduate of the University of California and IT Manager for the city of Long Beach, California. During the conversation, they explore the challenges and strategies for women in IT leadership roles. They emphasize the importance of confidence, fearlessness, and continuous learning. Women are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, apply for roles even if they don't meet every qualification, and assert themselves in meetings to ensure their contributions are recognized. Meghan highlights the value of professional networks and proactive networking, suggesting that women set goals for networking events to make meaningful connections and create opportunities for themselves. The conversation touches on the need for women to recognize and address biases in the workplace. They discuss the importance of having difficult conversations with supervisors about unequal treatment or pay discrepancies, emphasizing the need for a calm, unemotional approach focused on seeking solutions and understanding. Meghan also stresses the importance of negotiation, noting that women often settle for less when it comes to salary and benefits. They encourage women to push back and ask for what they deserve, whether it's a higher salary, more vacation time, or flexible work arrangements. They also offer advice to women starting out in their careers, emphasizing resilience and the importance of building a strong professional network early on. They stress the value of having mentors and peers to support and guide them through challenges. Overall, the episode serves as a rallying call for women in IT to advocate for themselves, push boundaries, and strive for the success they deserve in their careers. Join Nicole and Meghan for this fascinating and inspiring conversation! Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Why women in IT leadership roles often face challenges related to confidence and assertiveness.The importance of fearlessness and continuous learning when seeking success in IT careers.Why women should apply for roles even if they don't meet every qualification, and speak up in meetings to ensure their contributions are recognized.The value of building a strong professional network and attending networking events as part of an IT career.Why it's important for women to recognize and address biases in the workplace, and to have calm, unemotional conversations with supervisors about unequal treatment or pay discrepancies.The importance of developing negotiation skills to allow women to advocate for themselves in terms of salary, benefits, and work arrangements.Why resilience and the early building of a professional network are key factors for success for women starting out in IT careers.And so much more... Resources: Meghan's LinkedIn