What Young Women Seek from Mentorship
What do you envision for the young women in your life? What aspirations do you hope they achieve, and how can you assist them in reaching those goals? With October 11 marking "The Day of the Girl," a global celebration of female empowerment, it's a timely question. Established by the United Nations in 2012, this day highlights the struggles of countless girls in developing nations lacking education and healthcare, while also supporting those closer to home who need mentorship. Research indicates that girls' confidence often declines by 30% between ages 8 and 14, a concerning statistic. This resonates deeply with me, as I experienced those challenging years firsthand. Despite our progress over the decades, these confidence issues persist.
This year's Day of the Girl coincides with a significant moment for Illana Raia, our guest on this episode. Her book, "Girls, Who Do You Want To Be?" was released exactly one year ago. Illana founded Être, a mentorship initiative that connects middle school girls with major companies like Google and Spotify, allowing them to meet female leaders directly. Être's mission is to empower girls to raise their hands and elevate their standards, a goal we admire!
During our conversation, Illana shares her motivations for creating Être and the importance of girls meeting female leaders in real life. She transitioned from a successful law career to pursue this venture, inspired by her daughter, who was in middle school at the time. "I realized she didn't fully grasp my work. She lacked exposure to female role models and I wasn't explaining my job to her," Illana explains.
Illana emphasizes how we often underestimate our children. It's essential for them, particularly young girls, to hear women discuss topics like negotiating salaries or seeking promotions openly. This dialogue is crucial for their understanding of professional dynamics.
"Girls need to witness women supporting one another. They may see their mom or aunt doing so casually, but it's impactful for them to see women leading teams in a professional setting," Illana notes.
We also explore the necessity of diversity in leadership roles, strategies for closing the confidence gap that affects women across all generations, and how Être has adapted during the pandemic.
Transcript
Illana Raia: (00:01)
It's vital for girls to see women uplifting each other. They might observe this in personal settings, but witnessing it in a corporate environment is transformative.
Jean Chatzky: (00:22)
This podcast is supported by Fidelity Investments. They offer tailored financial advice to meet your goals and provide tools to make informed decisions. Visit Fidelity.com/HerMoney for more.
Jean Chatzky: (00:45)
Welcome, everyone. I'm Jean Chatzky. Today, we're discussing the aspirations for young women in our lives. With "The Day of the Girl" on October 11, it's a fitting moment to reflect on their empowerment. This global initiative aims to raise awareness for girls lacking access to education and healthcare, while also motivating those nearby. It's disheartening to learn that many girls continue to struggle with confidence at a pivotal time in their development. Illana Raia joins us today to discuss her new book and her work with Être.
Illana Raia: (03:14)
I'm grateful to be here. Thank you.
Jean Chatzky: (03:16)
Can you share your motivations behind starting Être? You had a successful legal career.
Illana Raia: (03:30)
Indeed, I enjoyed being a lawyer, but I noticed my daughter, in middle school, struggled to understand my work. I realized she lacked role models and I wasn't sharing enough about my daily experiences.
Jean Chatzky: (05:27)
That resonates. I, too, struggled to balance my career with sharing my experiences with my kids.
Illana Raia: (06:06)
We often underestimate kids, especially girls. It's crucial for them to observe us discussing salary negotiations and understanding their worth.
Jean Chatzky: (06:41)
Research shows this time frame is when confidence declines significantly.
Illana Raia: (07:26)
Many factors contribute to this, including social pressures that discourage girls from taking risks.
Illana Raia: (08:59)
In an all-girls environment, they feel more empowered to voice their thoughts.
Jean Chatzky: (10:29)
Why is it essential to have diversity in mentorship?
Illana Raia: (10:38)
Diversity is crucial. It allows girls to see varied role models, which encourages them to aspire to leadership positions.
Jean Chatzky: (11:32)
How can we adapt these concepts in a world where in-person meetings are limited?
Illana Raia: (13:12)
Initially, we feared we'd have to pause our in-person sessions, but the girls creatively suggested virtual meetings, expanding our reach significantly.
Illana Raia: (15:40)
All programs and resources are free, and our commitment is to maintain that accessibility.
Jean Chatzky: (16:26)
How does your book address key concepts like financial literacy for young women?
Illana Raia: (16:38)
The book compiles insights and practical advice for girls, making complex topics accessible.
Jean Chatzky: (18:24)
What key lessons have emerged regarding financial confidence?
Illana Raia: (18:38)
Companies recognize the importance of engaging girls early on, fostering their understanding of financial concepts.
Jean Chatzky: (20:07)
What advice do you have for those considering mentoring young women?
Illana Raia: (20:20)
Visit EtreGirls.com to explore various mentoring opportunities and resources.
Jean Chatzky: (21:07)
Thank you, Illana. This has been insightful.
Jean Chatzky: (21:13)
Next, we'll tackle questions from our listeners.
Jean Chatzky: (21:17)
Joining me is Kathryn Tuggle.
Kathryn Tuggle: (21:27)
Hi Jean!
Jean Chatzky: (21:28)
I'm working from home today, where it's quieter.
Kathryn Tuggle: (21:36)
I'm in the studio for a change. It's my weekly outing!
Jean Chatzky: (21:57)
Did you have a mentor growing up?
Kathryn Tuggle: (22:12)
I've had advocates in every job, but never a long-term mentor.
Jean Chatzky: (22:44)
I had a professor who guided me into journalism, but she passed away too soon.
Kathryn Tuggle: (23:08)
Sometimes, a mentor is just someone who inspires you.
Jean Chatzky: (23:27)
Absolutely. Let's move to listener questions.
Kathryn Tuggle: (24:32)
Our first question is from Rose, considering a Roth IRA conversion. What's your advice?
Jean Chatzky: (25:10)
A Roth conversion may be wise, but consider your current and future tax rates before deciding.
Kathryn Tuggle: (28:43)
Meeting with a financial planner could provide valuable insights.
Jean Chatzky: (29:06)
Absolutely. It's key to discuss your financial strategy with an advisor.
Kathryn Tuggle: (29:18)
Our next question is from Jenny about maximizing retirement plans.
Jean Chatzky: (30:01)
I recommend maximizing contributions to both plans for retirement savings.
Kathryn Tuggle: (31:44)
Keeping short-term and long-term goals separate is crucial.
Jean Chatzky: (33:31)
Segmenting funds helps maintain clarity and focus on goals.
Kathryn Tuggle: (37:11)
In today's Thrive, we discuss the increase in online shopping.
Jean Chatzky: (37:15)
The rise in online sales requires mindful spending.
Kathryn Tuggle: (37:55)
Thank you for listening to our discussion on mentorship and empowerment for young women. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast.
Jean Chatzky: (37:57)
Thank you to Illana Raia for sharing her insights!
