What More Epic Mentors Want Girls to Know - Graduation Edition Part II
Last week we offered six pieces of commencement advice from The Epic Mentor Guide - Être's second book where 180 leaders answered career questions posed by girls around the world - and this week we're back with another six.
Six women sharing lessons from space and launching new books.
Six women skating into new roles and sparking new beauty initiatives.
Six women creating new music styles, hosting new podcasts and premiering new films.
All of the women in today's newsletter edition not only participated in The Epic Mentor Guide but have projects happening right now that we can't wait to share. With more congrats to this season's graduates, our gift is the gift that keeps on giving: rockstar advice from women who know.
Women like...
Cady Coleman on leadership skills ASTRONAUTS learn in space.
Être girls asked: What kinds of leadership or teamwork lessons did you learn in space, and how can they be applied by girls entering the workforce on Earth?
"It might seem like people achieve big goals all by themselves. In my experience, it rarely works that way. My advice to you is simple: Learn to recognize when you need help and how to ask for it. And, in turn, be sure to provide that help to others. Filling out an application is often the doorway to opportunity. Be brave on those applications! Share who you are and what you bring—especially aspects of yourself that are unexpected or unusual. You never know what mix of skills and experience will turn out to be just right." —Cady Coleman, Retired NASA astronaut and new author of SHARING SPACE: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change, launching into the world on July 2, 2024!
Saroya Tinker on (hockey) STICKING WITH YOUR SPORT.
Être girls asked: As a recent Yale graduate, what was the biggest challenge you faced when transitioning to the National Women’s Hockey League, and what is your advice to younger players about sticking with their sport?
"The biggest challenge I faced when transitioning to the NWHL was finding the balance between the real world and my sport. Upon graduation, the world lies in front of you. But, as women, we must not only continue to conquer in our sport but in the workforce as well. I had to learn to balance my work life and my sport." —Saroya Tinker, Retired Pro Hockey Player with NWHL Toronto Six, CBS Sports Analyst, Executive Director of Black Girl Hockey Club and new Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives & Community Engagement for the PWHL.
Bobbi Brown on not taking NO for an answer.
Être Girls asked: What do you want girls starting in the work world to remember when they hear the word no?
"No one likes to be told no, so give yourself a minute to breathe and process it. Then, turn the no into an ‘I can.’ Start to think of a new plan — find a different door, and if you can’t find a door, look for a window. Sometimes it’s the sign to do something completely different. Be diligent and trust your next move." —Bobbi Brown, Makeup Artist and Founder of Jones Road Beauty; Pro-tip: don't miss their 2024 I Am Me campaign celebrating what we like about ourselves instead of striving for impossible standards of beauty.
Chloe Flower on creating fierce classical music with POP MUSIC MENTORS.
Être girls asked: You are a classically trained pianist, yet you have collaborated with some of the biggest names in pop and hip-hop ... what’s your advice for girls who want to learn to create new crossover styles in music?
"Be authentic and don’t be afraid of the word no. When you’re starting a new sound, it’s especially important for you to believe in it fully, so write and produce music that is authentic to you because that energy and passion will translate. So don’t be afraid of hearing no. The entertainment industry doesn’t like to take risks, so a new sound might scare some executives, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. So keep going and keep asking for help along the way!" — Chloe Flower, Pianist, Composer, and Music Producer; follow her here to catch her in concert, on Jimmy Fallon and with Être epic mentors like Gloria Steinem!
Danielle Robay on blowing off BEING UNDERESTIMATED.
Être girls asked: As the youngest morning TV host in Chicago, were you underestimated because of your age or gender, and how did you handle that?
"My most honest answer to this are words that I borrowed from Alicia Menendez. Her book THE LIKEABILITY TRAP changed my life. ‘We know that when we enter a room, there are assumptions made about us, and many of us go to great lengths to undercut those assumptions. We know that we must always be prepared. We cannot afford to slip up. To us, ‘Be yourself’ can sound like a dare, a safe declaration only truly intended for those who are assumed to be competent, qualified, and powerful.’ It can feel challenging and even exhausting to prove our competency—I’ve felt it often in my career. I don’t think I’ve found a solution or an answer to it. But I do know that it’s gotten easier to navigate as I’ve gotten older and gained more experience in my field. When you know yourself better and feel confident in what you bring to the table, the idea of having to prove yourself starts to wane. So, my best advice is to try to think less about others and focus more on yourself." — Danielle Robay, TV Host, Journalist and Co-Host of our new favorite podcast The Bright Side from the mentors at Hello Sunshine!
Dawn Porter on making movies with Oprah and ASKING WHAT IF?
Être girls asked: You gave up law to make documentaries with legends like John Lewis and Oprah, and you did it without going to film school; what is your advice to girls about changing careers to chase their dreams?
"Listen to that quiet but persistent voice in your head asking ‘what if?’ What if I quit this job and moved? What if I told my boss I want to try something new? What if I didn’t question myself? Becoming a film director was never in my plans. And yet it’s the perfect job for me. I couldn’t know that when I was 18 or even 25. I had to keep listening to my gut about each next career step. Each job brought me closer to my dream job and now I can’t imagine doing anything else. Except maybe making furniture. What if?" — Dawn Porter, Award-Winning Film Director, Trilogy Films with two new films premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival this month: Luther: Never Too Much and Power of the Dream.
WHAT IF?
I'm not sure there is a better way to close out our graduation season advice than those two words.
What if you take that well-earned diploma and meet a big challenge?
What if you take a deep breath and step forward for that promotion or raise?
What If you take an unexpected career break and pivot in a brand new direction?
Any of it can be scary. But all of it is exciting.
As we toss caps in the air and preconceived notions to the wind, may this season bring us all of the possibility and pride that comes from big accomplishments.
Putting The Epic Mentor Guide together was incredibly rewarding, in large part because the advice is not just epic but evergreen. What will the next chapter hold? It remains to be seen - but armed with the advice of these leaders every one of us is well-prepared.
Looking forward,
Illana
ÊXTRAS: Three more Être Board members in The Epic Mentor Guide whose words you won’t want to miss: Gaby Wasensteiner on creating profiles that stand out on LinkedIn, Melanie Curtis on deciding exactly when to jump out of a plane, and Mireille C. Harper on writing the right book at the right time.
