Today is Bring a Girl to CRE Day in the U.S. Today, we have a great opportunity to open the eyes of girls and young women to great career options in commercial real estate.
What influences us to choose a career path? For me, it was Barbara Walters. I thought it was so cool that she was able to meet new people all the time and ask them questions. I would watch the news and be engrossed in her ability to get guests to share their stories. Times were simpler back then and television wasn’t what it is today.
With shows like Dirty Jobs, The Apprentice, Cake Boss and Undercover Boss, to name a few, I wonder what these so-called reality shows are teaching girls and young women about the workforce as well as the culture and environment of the workplace. How does this influence their perspectives and choices?
As you spend time with your daughter, granddaughter, niece or someone else’s daughter today, share with them the rewarding options for a career in commercial real estate. Demonstrate the powerful connections and relationships that can be built, model the capable and successful woman you are so that they can see themselves in your role in the future. With the theme of Geena Davis’ foundation in mind, “if she can see it, she can be it.”
Today is a day to inspire and aspire to give the next generation of industry leaders a taste of what can be. Help young women turn off the television and tune in to an experience that gives them ideas for the future. Share with them the CREW Network and the CareersBuildingCommunities.org websites. Both are great resources for girls to explore the industry.
While I never landed Barbara Walters’ job, the idea of meeting new people and learning their stories has more than been fulfilled at CREW Network. Each of you has a career story to share. Share it with the girl shadowing you today and help her see herself in commercial real estate in the future.
Cheers,
WM
Wendy Mann is the chief executive officer of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network and president of the CREW Network Foundation.
Twitter: @crew_wendym
more CREW View