Pearls: Powerful Women. Send Tweet.

By Megan Clista and Laura Shirley

We recently attended Pittsburgh Business Times Bizwomen Mentoring Monday, where we met with mentors — nay, women business leaders in Pittsburgh — for career Q&As, discussions, and, simply, life advice.

The result? A lot of overthinking, at least on my [me, Megan’s] part.

But in all seriousness, we both learned key takeaways when it comes to our own mentorship paths, careers and lives.

Megan’s top takeaways from mentors Marcia Martin, VP, CSR, at Highmark Wholecare; Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Chief Clinical Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Allegheny Health Network; and Angela Garcia, Executive Director, Global Links.

1. Practice active listening, not talking. And when you do talk, be curious and ask questions.
2. Get out a lot — experience life and welcome its imperfection. Evaluate: What does hearing that, and accepting that, mean for you?
3. ‘Dream job’ carries a ton of weight. Instead, break it down. Do you work to live, or live to work? How do you practice your self care? What do you do to guide and inspire others? In what ways do you inspire yourself? Let your answers be your guide.
4. Joy is integral to your career. But, it has to start with you. Journal, participate in self-reflection. What does your core tell you about you? Who do you want to be? Joy has a “lifetime definition,” so get into a headspace where you can redefine it over and over again. And then, don’t settle for less.
5. When in need of inspiration, engage with other people. The best way to understand storytelling is to practice consuming it yourself. “If you go one day without learning about someone else, you’re not paying attention.”

Laura’s top takeaways from mentors Cheryl Tracy, Executive Director, National Aviary; Anne Flynn Schlicht, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Chatham University; and Sabrina Saunders Mosby, President and CEO, Vibrant Pittsburgh.

1. Ask yourself, are you learning something every day? If not, this is a good way to know if it’s time to move on or change something up.
2. Networking doesn’t have to be all about work. Make a conscious effort to get to know other people with the same interests and hobbies. People with similar passions are worth knowing, and this can be networking too.
3. Seek out other mentees, not just mentors. Connections at your own level are underrated.
4. What are your emotional communication triggers? What makes you tune someone out immediately? Learn to recognize those and let colleagues know when they come up.
5. Networks in AND out of the industry are important.

In the industry, look for mentors and sponsors. A mentor provides guidance, shares their experiences and offers advice. A sponsor is in a position of power or authority — they’re well connected and are your champion to get you where you want to go.

Out of the industry, sometimes it’s better to be the only “agency person” in the room. General career advice and experiences usually apply across any industry. Peer groups can be better outside the agency for more diversity.

So, we’re left with questions about ourselves. But, they’re questions posed by powerful women and worth exploring.

Now what? Time to follow up! These sessions gave us introductions, but now it’s on us to grow our connections and learn from each other.