As part of our ongoing commitment to our people, Protiviti’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative is focused on attracting, developing and retaining the most talented and qualified professionals regardless of race, disability, national origin, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation. Protiviti has many Employee Network Groups, on both a local and a global scale, that support individuals across our workforce. One of these networks is the Initiative for the Growth and Retention of Women at Work (iGROWW).
iGROWW is an internal network providing a workplace community, particularly focused on our female employees. The network is a forum to enhance employee success and the working environment through discussions focused on everything from recruiting, advising and mentorship, career growth and retention.
We recently took a moment to catch up with Sophy, an Experienced Consultant in Houston who is also a member of iGROWW.
What do you enjoy the most about being on the iGROWW Committee?
“One of the parts that I have enjoyed the most while being on the iGROWW committee is the fact that I am able to showcase my leadership skills through various tasks such as organizing a trip to the Mission of Yahweh. Another part of iGROWW that I thoroughly enjoy are the TED talks sessions that iGROWW Houston has hosted. There is always so much to learn from each session and I walk away with a new mindset each time, figuring out how I can grow more in my professional career.”
Have you faced any tough situations in your career? How did you face them?
“Throughout the course of my career I have had challenges that I have had to overcome, however, I do not necessarily look at challenges in a negative manner. My mindset is that without these challenges, there is no room for personal growth! With that said, one of the challenges that I have come across while working is to be able to adapt to different projects in a short amount of time, which also includes adjusting to each project manager’s unique management styles and priorities. However, prioritizing being a good listener, ensuring you understand the task at hand, asking questions when necessary, and responding to inquiries or requests in a timely fashion usually helps tackle those obstacles!”
How do you maintain a work/life balance that works for you?
“Work/life balance is something that is very important to me and actually is one of the great things that I love and appreciate about Protiviti! Before starting my day, I tend to write down a list of items in order of priority and set a realistic daily goal of what I would like to accomplish before the workday is over. That helps me to maintain strong time management. Once I return home, I like to spend time with my family and friends and work out from time to time. Being able to maintain a good lifestyle at home allows me to bring positive energy into the work place each day.”
What career advice do you have for new consultants?
“I would advise new consultants to give yourself permission to just ‘try’. It is something that I have learned in my own professional experience. Before asking your senior or upper level management to weigh in, attempt to resolve the solution yourself. Another piece of advice I would offer is to network as much as possible and to not be afraid to express any innovative ideas you may come up with!”
We are very thankful to have Sophy as part of our Protiviti family and as a committed member of our iGROWW program and we appreciated catching up with her as she grows her career.
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-Cait
