Congratulations– You made it through September! Let’s celebrate with a member get-together! Please join us to say hi, vent, check in and network:
Oct 7th 6-7pm EST
Register here!
Category: Uncategorized
Career Coaching Platform is LIVE!
The end of summer and return to school is akin to New Years for working parents. There is so much excitement around new beginnings, but this year feels so different, as it does in every area of life. Instead of focusing on work and encouraging you to get back to a work/life routine, we hope you will double down on yourself and invest time and energy into optimizing your career journey.
Today we are excited to announce the launch of our new career coaching platform where Second Shift expert career coaches offer their services to their fellow members at discounted rates. We’ve received a lot of interest so far and are thrilled to have an opportunity to strengthen our member ecosystem.
Here is how it works:
Unlike our normal process, in this situation interested members are the clients and the coach is the member. This is new for all of us so please have patience, feel free to ask questions and send feedback!
Email members@thesecondshift.com if you are interested in being matched with a coach. We will respond with:
- A list of all of our coaches, profiles and rates.
- An outline of the steps you need to take post your job, how you will be matched with coaches and the invoicing and billing process.
Looking forward to helping you find a Second Shift member to optimize your career strategy!
This is open to people outside of our member community so please spread the word!
Tips to set yourself up for remote school/ work life integration success!
The stress and anxiety of the unknown is overwhelming many working parents right now. Speaking up for your needs to #makeworkworkforyou as we go into an uncertain school year is important for productivity, management and maintaining some semblance of work/life integration. We hosted a webinar with HR consultant Karen Finckenor and workplace parenting expert Lauren Smith Brody of the Fifth Trimester to learn how to advocate for your needs and set yourself, your team, and your family up for success.
Here are our main takeaways from the talk and you can watch the full webinar here:
- There are no playbooks for employers or employees and that leaves policy vacuum and creates an advantage for employees to advocate tor themselves and ask for what they need.
- Policies are rapidly changing and being updated so educate yourself on what is available to you and check in with your manager and hr rep.
- Be honest about what works for you- when are you able to be most productive and focused? Set and meet goals and then deliver and over-achieve expectations. Show you can make your own boundaries and goals and then you have proof of your productivity.
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Organizations are looking at their performance reviews because this is all new and have to reevaluate to address properly. Make your case.
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If you want to ask for a promotion, raise or flexible schedule do the following: know what policies are available to you, get clear on your ask and make sure it solves your need, make a business case for it backed up with strong data, have a few options ready to suggest, be a partner on the solution.
Some final advice that we think it very relevant:
“This is a long game…. Your career is an evolution and you need to think about your longer term objectives and invest in your career. Do not make short term decisions. Look at your career, where are you right now, and where you want to go- then figure out how you get to your goals in the next 18-24 months to sustain that vision. Get clear on what you can do now, what you are learning and how that feeds into your professional vision for the future.”
The Pandemic is Driving Women Out of Work
Pleased to share a wonderful article in The 19th News (a wonderful media platform focused on women and politics) about how this pandemic is overwhelming working mothers and forcing them to make really tough choices about balancing work and childcare (if they are fortunate to have choices). Our co-founder Jenny was quoted as a representative of the women in our member community:
“Jenny Galluzzo, co-founder of the Second Shift, a platform that matches professional women with freelance and consulting projects, said the site has seen four times as many applicants since February as women try to make up lost work hours with part-time consulting work.
Beyond that, most women tell her they’re just waiting.
“You can’t plan ahead in any concrete way. And that stress manifests itself because you don’t know how to interact with the workforce. If you’re out looking for a job, how can you know what job to take because you don’t know in two months what your kids’ school situation will be?” Galluzzo said. “I worry for women because we’re taking an undue burden of all of the care and the invisible labor. I worry about all the strides we’ve made just being set back.”
One of our members, Mara Geronemus, a working mother of 3 young children and wife of a front-line doctor, is also featured because the weight of her work and responsibilities forced her to turn down clients and take a step back right when her practice was taking off. It’s a relatable story and one that really captures the anxiety, stress, helplessness and disappointment many of us feel right now.
On the positive side, Jenny sees a silver lining if we can just hold our breath and make it to the other side…
“In many ways, though, coronavirus has served as a magnifying glass, bringing into sharper focus issues like child care that have long been ignored — and employers are responding. Companies that once resisted flexible work set-ups, and particularly remote work, are starting to embrace the idea.
“We have been fighting for the ability for women to work remotely and flexibly for years. It’s the number one thing women want for employment and companies have now been forced to see that that model works,” said Galluzzo, from the Second Shift. “And when the economy comes back and jobs are more plentiful and our kids are in school, I see this as ultimately a benefit because you don’t have to convince people any longer that [flexibility and being remote] works.”
New Offering: Career Coaching!
Our community is a vibrant ecosystem of experts who work together and support each other. It’s so gratifying to us when we see members hire from within or refer us to their colleagues, friends and clients. Thank you so much for helping us to keep those networks strong.
We realize there is a lot more we can be doing to help each other and invest in our career development right now. We successfully launched our member- led webinar series and are now starting a career coaching platform. Expert career coaches are volunteering their time and discounting their rates to provide their services for 1-1 coaching.
If you are interested in hiring a coach please fill out this form and we will follow up with instructions.
Please take this opportunity to network from within our community by being a Featured Member, leading a webinar or signing up to be a coach.
Any questions, email us at members@thesecondshift.com
The End of the Girlboss Era
Second Shift member Aliza Licht wrote a wonderful article in Forbes refuting the negativity around the end of Girlboss, cancel culture and female founders. Our co-founder Jenny Galluzzo participated and has the closing remarks:
“Doing good and having a good business are not mutually exclusive,” states Jenny Galluzzo. “The optimism and energy of post 2016 feminism created a wellspring of excitement to disrupt the status quo. There is nothing negative about trying to change systemic inequity by re-writing the rules and creating your own power and money. That is true feminism.”
Now let’s aim to make that a reality for all women, not just those with a current seat at the table.”
Read the full article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alizalicht/2020/07/05/girlboss-may-be-over-but-the-woman-founder-is-here-to-stay/#3231893378cc
Featured Member: Kalyn Wilson
Kalyn Wilson is a perfect member to feature because she personally and professionally exemplifies the women in our member community. She is an optimistic, generous, thoughtful leader who uses her experience in HR and organizational development as a consultant to help companies better understand the benefit of Diversity and Inclusion for their companies.
Kalyn sees the Black Lives Matter movement as a teachable moment to help her white allies understand the history of systemic racism in the same way that we understand sexism and the role it plays in keeping women from rising up in the workplace. Kayln teaches a webinar she created – A Crash Course on Being An Ally to Black Folks-– for clients.
Tell us your work story : Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a witty, wise woman who’s influencing the field of HR for good. I use my extensive experience in Human Resources, Organizational Development, and Diversity & Inclusion to improve HR systems and amplify unrecognized talent.
You recently pivoted your career coaching practice to create programming for groups. How has this moment shaped your thoughts on what diversity and inclusion means.
Switching to groups means I get to multiply my impact on the world. Diversity and inclusion is a very sensitive topic for most of us, and I find that people feel more comfortable starting their D&I journey in the safety of a group. The shared energy can encourage people to share their thoughts or latch onto others’ “aha” moments to inspire their own. The group setting can accelerate learning. Plus, it’s just fun for me when I connect with large groups!
Why is it important to teach the history of the current protest?
It is critical to teach history, not just important. The issues at the center of the current protests are compounded layers of concerns, atrocities, and injustices dating back to the 17th century. That’s a lot of information to process, so I want to give non-Black people a crash course in how we reached this explosive point. I’ll share more than a simple recounting of key events; I’ll explain how the pivotal moments intersect and how these moments birthed the systemic issues permeating every layer of our nation’s racial experience – socially, politically, and financially.
Many people are confused about what language to use and how to interact on social media without being offensive or using outmoded paradigms to talk about race. What’s important to think about when trying to navigate these waters with empathy.
The smartest thing we can all do in this moment is to focus on strengthening our allyship within our sphere of influence. So many of us are functioning from a place of guilt, anxiety, and emotional overload. We try to outdo others and ourselves with the wittiest or “woke”-est statuses, just to impress or connect with strangers. This can be toxic – to us and others. Protect your emotional space and respect others’ emotional state by focusing on showing up in meaningful ways for your friends, family, and co-workers. Take a social media break if you need to or turn off the news. It’ll be worth it!
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
My proudest professional accomplishment is pursuing a doctoral degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. It represents my commitment to continuous learning and growth, and it also boosts the visibility of underrepresented talent. (My dissertation research centers on optimizing the Black male employee experience.)
What advice do you have for other women looking to make a career change but are afraid or lack confidence? How is it on the other side?
Validate your fear but don’t let it define you. I always say emotions are simply signals; they show us what we need to heal so we can move forward! You can do this, even if you take baby steps to get started. It feels surreal to be on the other side of fear and diminished self-confidence. Sometimes I still feel impostor syndrome, but I try to keep a list of my accomplishments in an Excel spreadsheet so I can encourage myself in those moments.
Do you have any advice on how to craft a winning pitch?
Imagine yourself as if you’ve already sealed the deal… How do you feel? What do you see yourself saying when meeting with the client? Can you see their joy as they look at your work? Use this vision’s positive energy to put how you’d add value into words. The mind is powerful and excited energy is too.
What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
Focus on progress not accomplishments. Achievement addiction can be toxic. When you understand your “why” and the meaning behind the steps you take in your career, you avoid burnout and losing yourself.
How do negotiate the balance between life and work when you are the one setting the boundaries?
I recognize that it’s an ongoing journey where I never quite “arrive”. I try to let this excite me rather than frustrate me. For example, the pandemic triggered all kinds of major life changes for me; they’ve led me to pursue more creative outlets and change up my workout routine. It wasn’t expected (or welcome at first), but I can see how they’ll produce tons of long-term benefits.
How do you make work work for you?
Wow… My answer to this today is so different than what I would have said three months ago. For work to work for me, I have to experience freedom – intellectually, creatively, and emotionally. I need to own my thoughts and my work, so I’ve been working on my communication skills to be an even stronger advocate for myself professionally. I firmly believe we teach people how to treat us by what we allow. How I set boundaries and communicate my professional needs to others sets the tone for our relationship and my work. That’s why I want to speak up for myself even more.
We Made It!!
How cool is this?? The Second Shift is a case study for a University of Oregon Executive MBA program! Thank you Stephanie Gioia for highlighting our unique approach to growth. Proud to be in company with Google, Netflix, Bridgewater, the U.S Army and Amazon! Thank you to our members for being our “special sauce.”
Stephanie found us and reached out to learn more about our business model, mission and philosophy on the future of work. After we finished our conversation she signed up as a member. To us, that means everything! This community of women is strong together; We fundamentally understand the need for this platform and are invested in each other’s success– we are grateful to you all for making this a business worthy of a case study.
#makeworkworkforyou
Careers in Uncertainty
Our first series of member led webinars was a huge success! We thank those who donated their time and expertise for this Day of Service. We plan on doing many more of these sessions in the next few weeks. If you missed the session led by Ghita Filali on navigating your career in times of uncertainty you can see her presentation and her list of career resources below.
Navigating Your Career During Uncertainty 052120
Career Resources During Covid-19
If you are interested in leading a session for our member community please reach out at members@thesecondshift.com
Day of Service + Second Shift
On Thursday, May 21st The Second Shift is participating in a Day of Service with Unilever as part of their United for America initiative. We are hosting a series of FREE discussions and 1-1 sessions led by Second Shift expert career coaches to help you to make work work for you now, and always!
We are offering 2 larger format discussions and limited 1-1 sessions. Links to sign up for each session are below.
It’s free but there are space restrictions so sign up ASAP!
- 12:30- 1:30 EST Ghita Filali will host a session on navigating your career during uncertainty. In this workshop you’ll learn to:
- Clearly identify and articulate to yourself the things you believe to be committed to
- Set an intention for this period of time
- What to do to adjust / modify / pivot?
- Create a short list of actions (specific and tangible) to move your goals forward
- Sign up HERE!
- 3:30-4:30 EST Courtney Seard will lead The Mindset of Resilience. It’s what’s required in these times, it’s more than just positive thinking it’s a trait, a state, and a skill.
- What is resilience? How do you create it?
- Review the basics of the topic, how the mind works, provide tips, and lead breathing and mini meditation exercise.
- Sign up HERE!
Karen Finckenor and Amina AlTai have generously offered a limited number of 1-1 sessions for members who want help with specific issues or need personalized guidance. To sign up for these email us at (members@thesecondshift.com with subject Day of Service) and we will directly contact those who we are able to accommodate.
This is the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series of member led discussions. If there is something you would like to share with the larger community please let us know at members@thesecondshift.com