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Women in Business Challenge: Fear of Failure

1/30/2022

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t take a risk because you were afraid of failing? I know I have more times than I can even remember. What if you walk into a job interview and don’t express your true self because you’re afraid you won’t be accepted for who you are? Now, let me ask you this: what if you walk into that same job interview, show the interviewer who you are and are fearless, and instantly get the job? Think about the what if’s. What if you succeed? If you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know how great the reward could be.
Many women in business struggle with this challenge, as it can feel especially difficult to voice their opinions in a field where males still tend to dominate, especially in higher level positions. Data from a recent McKinsey survey shows that as ranks get higher in organizations, the number of women dwindles. There were a total of 325,000 women in entry-level positions, and only 7,000 of those women actually made it to vice president, senior vice president, or CEO. As women, we must stick together and prove that we can be the face of business. It is our duty to change these statistics and stop outdated social norms from getting in our way.
I recently interviewed Sarah Burger, an Ohio State graduate who majored in Finance, and the former President of UBWA. Now, she works for General Motors in Michigan, which is a job that she actually was able to receive because of her position in the club. Even someone with as powerful of a role as Sarah had in UBWA can struggle with taking risks and being afraid of failure, because it is a scary concept.

Although she generally does not like taking risks, as she frequently overanalyzes most of her decisions, Sarah made a very good point that I also think is very relatable to most people. She said “some of my best memories and proudest accomplishments happened when I took a risk”. For example, accepting her job offer at General Motors meant that she would have to move all the way to Michigan from her hometown in the suburbs of Chicago. However, she “decided to take the risk because nothing is permanent'', and if she hadn’t taken the risk and given it a chance, she would’ve regretted it. It is important for women to recognize risk taking as an opportunity for growth, because you won’t be able to prove what you’re capable of until you decide to take that leap and do something out of your comfort zone.

Failure is something that haunts most people and makes them think poorly about themselves when they have no reason to. Almost everyone has had an experience with an exam that they didn’t do as well on as they hoped for, but no one gives up after just one exam. Failing is part of life. Everybody experiences it at some point, whether it is big or small, and it is the only way to truly learn. Sarah adds, “The funny thing is that after a couple weeks and definitely after a couple months, I completely forget about the failure and so do the people around me. You will always judge yourself so much more than the people around you and that's definitely what happens after a failure”. Other people rarely even notice, and when they do, they move on. “It can be really easy to think that your co-workers have it all together but that is far from the truth. At the end of the day, we're all just humans trying to do the best we possibly can at our jobs which will definitely include some failures along the way”, notes Sarah. Especially in the workplace, people hold themselves up to an unattainable standard that doesn’t even exist. The truth is that no one is perfect and everyone makes their fair share of mistakes.
Lastly, do something you enjoy. Choose a job because it inspires you to work harder and take risks, even if it means you might have to move halfway across the country. Sarah said that if she could give any advice to college students, it would be to “make sure that you choose a company that you're personally excited about. Else, you're going to lose motivation to do your job really quickly.”

I truly believe that “Empowered Women, Empower Women” should not only be a motto in UBWA, but a mindset for every member. Like Sarah said, “as women, we need to be the ones lifting other women up, especially when they experience failure. We need to be the ones cheering on women when they're taking risks.” In my opinion, as long as we take these steps and never let anyone get in our way, we will flourish. And remember, just like Hannah Montana once said, “nobody’s perfect, everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days”.

Cassie Kobel

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Company Culture

1/23/2022

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You may know exactly what you want your future job to be, but have you thought about what workplace setting you might prefer? We often think of our future careers in terms of job title or specialization. However, company culture can have a significant impact on your day-to-day role. To better understand company culture, I reached out to two UBWA alumni, Hayley Dougherty and Morgan West. While both work as accountants, they operate in two very different workplaces. Hayley has experience in the public accounting and restaurant industries, specifically, Bibibop and Chipotle. Morgan has experience working at a non-profit higher education institution, namely THE Ohio State University.

Hayley Dougherty graduated from OSU in 2015 with a BSBA in accounting. During her four years in UBWA, Hayley served as the VP of Programming and President of UBWA. Her involvement gave her a chance to develop her leadership skills, learn about different career paths, and meet some of her closest friends. Hayley spent three years in public accounting audit before working in the fast-casual dining industry. She is currently a Senior Financial Accountant at Chipotle.

Hayley would describe the company cultures at Chipotle and Bibibop as casual and adaptable. One reason for this is because the companies were founded more recently. According to Hayley, “When a company doesn’t have 100 years of history and tradition to lean on, it develops a culture and identity reflective of the time and the initial leaders, and is also more able and willing to pivot and make changes.” One way these companies have embraced change is by focusing on employee satisfaction and well-being. For example, allowing flex time and a more relaxed work environment. As Hayley states, “Chipotle specifically does an outstanding job of not just saying ‘take care of yourself’ but also backing it up.” Additionally, younger companies are more likely to prioritize values such as DE&I and mental health.

In contrast to the restaurant industry, Hayley describes public accounting as more formal and regulation-based. This difference is due to the client-facing nature of public accounting firms. “That’s not to say that public [accounting] doesn’t do happy hours or casual Fridays, but being that it’s client service, the goal is to always present the most polished and professional experience to clients,” says Hayley. The goals of internal accounting, such as accounting for a restaurant, and public accounting also differ significantly. Internal accounting focuses on analyzing data for use within a company. As Hayley explains, “when dealing with internal data, there is always a focus on finding new, better, more creative ways to do business and get more accurate information.” Conversely, public accounting firms focus on external accounting, providing information to third parties. As such, external accounting tends to have set procedures and regulations.

Morgan West graduated in 2017 with a BSBA in accounting and minors in Legal Foundations of Society (Law) and Economics. Morgan joined UBWA as a freshman and served on the Buckeyethon Committee and as VP of Member Relations. Through UBWA, Morgan was able to connect with other business majors and support pediatric cancer research. Morgan began her career at Ohio State as a student in the Accounts Payable department of the Office of Sponsored Programs. She is currently a Senior Accountant in the Grants Accounting department of the OSP.

Morgan has many good things to say about working at the Ohio State University. According to Morgan, “Ohio State cares about their employees well-being and strives for employees to be the best version of themselves.” The university offers many employee benefits including free tuition, health and wellness training, and mental health days. Morgan describes her team’s culture as supportive and inclusive. As Morgan states, “In the area I work in, there is a great sense of pride since we are assisting researchers in solving the world’s biggest problems like COVID-19, cancer, energy, etc.” Above all, Morgan finds working for a non-profit institution rewarding because the primary goal is making the world a better place.

Both alumni shared some excellent advice for undergraduate businesswomen on finding the right job fit. First, be open to trying things outside your major and talk to others about their careers. As Morgan says, “You won’t know if it’s right for you unless you give it a chance.” Second, focus on finding the right job fit for your goals, personality, and values. As Hayley illustrates, “It can be similar to dating and relationships: someone can be a good person but not be right for you if your values and goals don’t align.” When searching for the right workplace, it helps to know what is truly important to you. Hayley recommends identifying your “three absolutes you have to have.” Lastly, remember that no company culture is perfect, but don’t be afraid to leave if you realize it’s not the right job for you.

Allie Caldwell

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Women Out West: Businesswomen's Life on the West Coast

1/16/2022

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Imagine this: it’s 5 o'clock on a Friday, and you are about to leave work. You look out your office window and take in the spectacular view of blue skies and palm trees. You hear waves crashing on the beach. After work, you have plans to surf with friends and then grab dinner at a little restaurant on the beach. While this scene may sound like fantasy, it is reality for some businesswomen who live and work on the West coast. Ashley Urbansky and Madison Shimborske, two OSU and UBWA alumni can attest to the challenges and rewards of life out West.

Madison is a 2021 OSU graduate with a major in Information Systems and a minor in Studio Art. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco to take a role as a Strategy Analyst with River Financial, a Bitcoin financial services start-up. When I asked Madison what made a Midwest girl decide to move to the West coast, she said it was unplanned and that she happened to find the position online. Madison said her takeaway from this experience is that you should “…always look into the opportunities that are literally just placed in front of you. And don’t ever discount an opportunity.”

Ashley is a 2012 OSU graduate with a major in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. Ashley decided to make the move to California after a trip with her husband; she fell in love with the laid-back environment of the area. Since moving to California, Ashley has worked in multiple different roles. She has also worked in many settings, ranging from large corporations to smaller start-ups (where she has worked in some of her favorite roles so far). She is currently the Director of Demand Generation at a company called Emerged Inc, which is a sales platform for healthcare companies.

Both women highlighted the joys and difficulties of life on the West Coast. One major aspect that attracted Ashley and Madison was the culture of the West Coast. “The environment is more about enjoying your life out here,” Ashley claimed. She also mentioned how the business industry itself was more appealing to her. She noted the diversity, innovation, and growth opportunities for start-ups as some of the most intriguing features of the industry in California. Madison was on the same page and stated, “The energy of working in San Francisco, especially at a startup is so much different than Ohio. It’s fast-paced, it’s exciting, it’s exhausting.”
As for the challenges, both women mentioned the high living costs and the distance from family and friends back in the Midwest. “The west coast (San Francisco specifically) is very expensive, so I’m not sure I would’ve gone had my company not paid for it,” Madison stated. However, both women agreed that the benefits of new career opportunities, new friends, and new experiences, in general, outweighed the hardships.

One of the main reasons I chose to interview Ashley and Madison was to hear their advice on how to start the overwhelming journey of moving out West. One reoccurring statement I heard was that it is scary at first. Madison stated, “Don’t be afraid to take a chance or try something new. It’s okay (and good!) to be out of your comfort zone. And if you move to the West coast you definitely will be.” As for the business aspect, both businesswomen communicated the importance of being flexible. Don't only expect to work for a Fortune 500 company and don’t only expect to work for start-ups. Take opportunities, even if it diverges from your original plan. As for how to get your foot in the door of a West coast company as a Midwest native, make sure you are willing to work from home if needed but also willing to relocate. “Position yourself on your resume to say when you are relocating, as well as your work-from-home preferences," Ashley recommends.

Lastly, I want to include something that Madison said that stuck with me:

“If you go out there and it’s not for you, guess what? That’s okay! It’s not the end of the world. It’s never too late to change your path if it’s not what’s meant for you.”

Take the chance.

Lea Dunn

Editor: Allie Caldwell

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Obtaining A business Degree to work in the entertainment industry

1/9/2022

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The entertainment industry is a rapidly growing, extremely competitive industry to work in. It contains so many types of jobs, and can prove to be both gratifying and lucrative. I am constantly reading and watching interviews about people in the entertainment industry who have benefited from their business degrees, or who wished they went to school for business. This caught my attention, especially because I myself am working towards a business degree and plan to work in the entertainment industry. I reached out to two current UBWA members, Delaney Hoye and Sofie Clough, to further discuss why so many future entertainment industry workers are pursuing business degrees and the benefits of understanding the business world when working in this artful industry.

To begin, I want to share a little bit about Delaney and Sofie and why they are pursuing business degrees to work in entertainment. Hopefully this can provide some insight on what circumstances indicate a good reason to study business. Delaney is majoring in Marketing and minoring in Media Production. With this degree, she wants to work for a large company such as Disney’s Marvel Studios and work for their marketing and promotional team. Delany has a passion for production and hands-on work, so her goal is to incorporate her editing and production skills into a marketing position. She added that marketing is “such a broad topic and you can utilize it for many different career paths.” This is important to note as it can be difficult to break into this industry. With her business degree, Delaney is able to have a back-up plan and be more flexible with the types of jobs she can work.

Sofie, a marketing major, has a passion for music, which is why she has also taken on a minor in Music, Media, and Enterprise. In a perfect world, Sofie wants to be a tour manager for live shows and travel the world. Her main reason for majoring in business is to have “a broader foundation of knowledge to work off of.” Similarly to Delaney, Sofie understands how competitive this line of work is, and she also doesn’t want to tie herself down to only one possible future. As a marketing major, Sofie is glad to have more career choices ahead of her, but she is still able to work towards her goal by minoring in something more specific to the music industry.

I asked both Delaney and Sofie why they chose a business degree as opposed to one in music or film. They both answered in a similar way. A business degree provides broader opportunities and skills that an arts degree can not promise. Understanding what contracts you are signing, and what deals you are making is an integral part to surviving in the entertainment industry. Sofie explains, “my passion is for the live entertainment piece of the music industry rather than the creation of music and thus I did not feel like understanding the theories and other knowledge behind music would be as beneficial to me as a business degree.” Sofie makes an important distinction between the artist and those who support and work with the artist. Both of these roles are major moving pieces in entertainment, but Sofie explains that those who are working with the artist benefit greatly from a business degree. This includes managers, marketers, producers, etc. These are the people that take the art, give it a platform, and help it be consumed by mass amounts of people.

For the artist, it seems more beneficial to pursue a degree in music theory, or theater/film in order to perfect their craft. However, that doesn’t mean a business background would not help them succeed. Sofie talks about how small creators often have to promote their own work. Understanding advertising and finance can be really helpful to these up-and-coming artists. Delaney agrees that anyone who wants to work in this industry will be better off with knowing the tricks and trades of the business world. She notes, “no matter where you work, business plays a large role.”

The biggest reason why a good business foundation is crucial to the entertainment industry is because both industries are interconnected. Sofie explains that “understanding the current consumer markets is at least 80% of the entertainment industry and therefore having some knowledge of how to interpret and predict these markets will really take you far in this industry.” Understanding what the consumers want is the foundation of entertainment. If you are writing a script for a superhero blockbuster film, you need to think about what the viewers want to see, and write powerful scenes that make people want to come back and watch the film again. As a music producer, you need to look at trends and figure out if a dance pop song is going to hit the charts, or if you should be shifting towards rap in order to grow your listeners.

According to Delaney, “you need to understand what audiences are looking for and how you can offer it to them.” This is the foundation of what we, as business majors, learn in our marketing classes. It is important to be able to hold your own in this stressful industry and figure out what works and what doesn’t. The strategies you can learn in a business program can give a competitive edge to knowing what is going to turn a profit, what is going to garner more views, and what is going to give this project more attention than the competition.

Thank you for reading this post! If you are thinking about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, I hope you were able to gain some insight into the benefits of studying business. Also, I want to thank Delaney and Sofie for sharing their thoughts on this topic. If you have any further questions or want to discuss more about the benefits of a business degree in the entertainment industry, you can email me at litzler.7@osu.edu.

Erin Litzler

Editor: Cassie Kobel

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