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Climbing the Corporate Ladder
by Amanda R. Miles, Georgia Power Disability Management & Industrial Hygiene
March 12, 2009
S
uit jackets and streamlined slacks, pearls and broaches, Blackberries and sleek
planners...wow. As a 26-year-old woman on my first day working in a corporate setting I felt as if
I had entered a new world. T-shirts and warm up pants were the regular dress code in college but
now things would be different. I can describe how I felt on those first days in just three words:
intimidated, nervous and overwhelmed. I loved the hustle and bustle of my new job but wondered
where I would fit in.
My story is not unlike many other Atlanta females. The corporate world can be very daunting
to a "newbie" and there is no Entering the Corporate World handbook that I could find! I have had
some awkward moments and there have been times when I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Was I
ready for the corporate world?
In those first months, I learned to depend on my team members and have faith in myself. I
drew on the experience of those around me and learned that I must never be afraid to ask for help.
I slowly grew confident and thrived in my new surroundings.
I am the youngest employee in my department. Many of my colleagues have worked for this
company more than twenty five years. I am blessed to have such an abundance of wisdom and knowledge
around me to draw upon. I had sometimes wondered what I could bring to the table when I joined this
group. As a young woman in my mid-twenties, what value could this novice add to the group? Now, I
know I have much to contribute. Though I am young and my colleagues have longer or more impressive
resumes, I can offer new insight and an outsider's perspective. I may not always lean towards "how
we have always done things" but I will complete tasks and excel in what I do.
I have found there are many stumbling blocks that we may run into when climbing the corporate
ladder. They should not stop you...the stumbling blocks should only motivate you to keep moving
forward. You may come across those who do not believe you are capable of doing the job. There
simply will always be a naysayer who wants to hold you back from success. How do we maneuver around
these stumbling blocks to secure our future endeavors? I quickly discovered that by giving my all
and being passionate about what I do, I earn their respect. I am willing to tackle the hard tasks
and am not too "big" for any "small" job. I let my work speak for myself in times of difficulty and
strife.
Step by step, I am climbing Atlanta's corporate ladder. I respect those who blazed trails
before me and know this journey will not be without sacrifice and adversity. However, I am more
than willing to endure the tough times as I know I will be better for it. I am patient and driven.
The woman who writes this blog is a far cry from the nervous college student who first entered the
corporate world. I am sure of myself and thankful for the opportunity to climb the next rung.
