A blog is born
For every second that we are not re-inventing the wheel, we are moving forward.
Women make eighty cents on the dollar in roles identical to men. The NYTimes published about it within the last month – check this out. This is a gap that I feel can be filled by helping young women as they navigate their careers. In starting my career at an i-bank, I have certainly experienced my share of ‘ole boy network “you don’t know what you’re talking about” looks from male supervisors. As I transitioned to the start-up where I currently work, I encountered a number of “firsts:” my first time negotiating a salary, my first time discerning my own job responsibilities, my first transition to a new work environment.
I am the first to admit that I was not prepared for these “firsts!” I was lucky because I had a fantastic sounding board, a man who knew the ropes and counseled me through. But it got me thinking how things would have turned out if someone had not role-played my conversations or proof-read my emails during the move. Would I have been the woman making eighty cents on the dollar?
The transition crystallized for me that women are not conversing regarding our challenges nearly enough. For all the corporate programs and attempts at systemic solutions, there is nothing like the power of overlapping and reinforcing networks of women sharing the wisdom of their experiences, so that our friends, colleagues, and mentees don’t have to waste time re-inventing the wheel.
It is my hope that Ms Savvy will serve as a resource hub for young career women seeking advice and and a space where they can learn from someone who has been in their shoes.
Welcome to Ms Savvy and happy reading!
Who is Ms Savvy?
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Stella. Quarter century plus one. A head full of curls (incidentally, my friends claim that my hair matches my personality). Vivacious and enthusiastic. I’ll definitely claim it all.
I am a New Yorker minus the first seven years, which I spent in the Ukrainian town of Donetsk; and the finest four years that I spent at only the world’s greatest institution – the University of Michigan! Some have stated that they can never imagine me living anywhere but NYC, but I am not married to it like they say. At some point, I know that I’ll probably get tired of the feverish competition for everything from a job to a seat at the bar.
On the topic of jobs – my first was at a bulge bracket i-bank. Learned a ton about being a professional, had some unique experiences (they shipped me off to Moscow on a three month assignment!), and became an Excel ninja. Currently, I am trying my hand at the start-up world and starting my own philanthropic journey, one whose roots have long been in the making.
If you’re interested in chatting further, drop me an email at sbinkevich@gmail.com.
Ms Savvy 