10 Career Lessons Every Woman Learns the Hard Way
Women end up learning things the hard way, through a series of frustrating, face-palm moments.
I’ll never forget the day I found out my male coworker—let’s call him “Kevin”—was making $5,000 more than I was for the same job. We had the same title, same responsibilities, and I’d even been at the company six months longer. When I asked him how he got that salary, he just shrugged and said, “I asked for it.” My stomach dropped. I had just accepted the first number they offered, thrilled even to have the job. Sound familiar?
Despite women making up 41.2% of the global workforce as of 2024, according to The World Economic Forum, systemic barriers continue to create predictable career challenges across all industries and experience levels. A stark example: women account for only 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs, as reported by Fortune. It often feels as though an essential guide to career success exists, yet our copy consistently goes missing in the mail.
So, let’s skip the trial and error. Consider this your cheat sheet—the 10 career lessons almost every woman learns the hard way, so you don’t have to.
The Pay Gap Is Annoyingly Real
Let’s just get this one out of the way. That feeling you get when you suspect you’re being underpaid? It’s not just in your head. In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to the Pew Research Center.
Think about what you could do with half a million dollars. It’s a stubborn gap that proves we’re often playing catch-up from day one.
Your Amazing Work Won’t Speak for Itself
Do you believe that if you just keep your head down and deliver incredible work, the right people will magically notice and reward you? That’s a lovely fairy tale, but the workplace isn’t Disneyland.
53% of women faced gender discrimination at work in 2024. You have to be your own biggest cheerleader. You need to toot your own horn, even when it feels awkward.
Finished a big project? Mention it in the team chat. Got a great result? Share it with your boss. If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?
That Perfect “Work-Life Balance” Is a Myth
Do you constantly seek the elusive work-life balance? You can stop looking. For most women, it’s a myth. After a day of work, we usually perform a second shift of household tasks.
In lieu of a perfect balance, strive to have a realistic integration. Fight to defend your personal time, as no one else will.
Perfectionism Is a Trap, Not a Superpower
Did you ever spend three hours adjusting a presentation because one of the slides was not centered? That is perfectionism, and it is career-killingly.
A jaw-dropping 75% of female executives experience imposter syndrome, according to Forbes. We often feel a lot of pressure to be perfect because we want to show how much we are worth.
However, striving for perfection results in burnout and risk aversion. Remember this mantra: “Done is better than perfect.”
The “Motherhood Penalty” Is a Real Thing
As soon as you declare that you are pregnant, something changes. Your commitment comes into question, and your career path may take a sharp turn all of a sudden. The motherhood penalty is inhuman.
Hiring managers are even less likely to hire moms in the first place. It is a frustrating, old-fashioned prejudice that penalizes women who have a family.
You Will Be Interrupted, So Learn to Reclaim Your Time
You’re in a meeting, making a brilliant point, and a male colleague cuts you off to say basically the same thing. Sound familiar? This isn’t a coincidence. Women are more likely to be interrupted than men.
It’s time to arm yourself with a few polite but firm phrases. A simple, “I’d like to finish my thought,” can work wonders. It’s your voice and your idea—don’t let anyone hijack it.
Networking Feels Different When You’re Not in the “Club”
Do you ever suspect that pivotal career decisions are forged not in formal meetings, but on the golf course or during those late-night conversations from which you are conspicuously absent? Your intuition, it turns out, is entirely accurate.
The old boys’ club is a persistent barrier, but it’s not insurmountable. A Harvard University study found that women with strong female peer networks are significantly more likely to land top leadership roles. If you can’t break into their club, build your own. Surround yourself with a supportive group of ambitious, like-minded women who lift each other up.
Imposter Syndrome Is That Annoying Roommate Who Won’t Leave
That nagging little voice in your head that says, “You’re a fraud and everyone knows it”? According to PR Newswire, that’s imposter syndrome, and about 70% of women deal with it at specific points in their careers.
We tend to think our successes are just “luck,” while our male counterparts think they’re geniuses. This self-doubt is poison. It stops you from applying for that promotion or speaking up with a great idea. You didn’t get here by accident. You earned it.
You’ll Be Expected to Be the Office “Mom”
Who is always tasked to plan the office birthday party, make meeting notes, or order lunch? It’s almost always a woman. It is what they call emotional labor: the unpaid, invisible work of keeping everyone happy and organized.
Although it may make you appear as a team player, it distracts from the fact that you are getting a promotion. It is alright to state, “I am overwhelmed at the moment, perhaps other people can do it?
Asking for More Money Can Backfire (But You Have to Do It Anyway)
Forbes notes that women now negotiate salaries more often than men, but we still end up earning less. Why? When we negotiate, we risk being seen as “aggressive,” while men are praised for being “assertive.”
It’s a classic double bind. But don’t let that stop you. Go into that negotiation armed with data, know your worth, and ask for what you deserve. Even if it’s uncomfortable, your future self—and your bank account—will be grateful.
Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)
Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)
Retirement planning can be challenging, especially for women who face unique obstacles such as the wage gap, caregiving responsibilities, and a longer life expectancy. It’s essential for women to educate themselves on financial literacy and overcome the investing gap to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement. So, let’s talk about why investing for retirement is important for women and how to start on this journey towards financial freedom.
Science Tells Us What To Expect As We Age: Strategies for Thriving in Later Life
Science Tells Us What To Expect As We Age: Strategies for Thriving in Later Life
How does aging affect our bodies and minds, and how can we adapt to those differences? These are questions that pertain to us all. Aging gradually alters people over decades, a long period shaped by individuals’ economic and social circumstances, their behaviors, their neighborhoods, and other factors. Also, while people experience common physiological issues in later life, they don’t follow a well-charted, developmentally predetermined path. Let’s take a look at what science has told us to expect.
