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 💻 Real Talk: Career Pivots Are Hard

If you're in a season of figuring out your next step — whether it's applying for jobs, changing careers, or just navigating uncertainty — you're not alone.

This honest LinkedIn post by @Lauren McGoodwin really hit home:

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✨ Meet Abigail Gawronski:

“No matter what stage of your career you are in, always find ways to invest in yourself.”

Abigail’s (Abby) current role as a Business Development Manager builds on her previous success as a Business Development and Marketing Consultant, where she helped over 20 small businesses across various industries transform and grow through bespoke strategies and modern development tools. She has a natural entrepreneurial spirit and a curiosity for learning new things, especially in the fields of generative AI and early career development. Abby enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures. She grew up in New York and loves spending time with her family and friends at the beach or around a bonfire.

💬 What does women’s empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Abigail Gawronski: I believe that (women) empowerment is crucial to the development of our society. As women, we are a large part of the global population. Empowerment is not only about improving the lives of women but it's about creating an equitable, just, and prosperous society. It is important to empower women to make their own choices and participate in the collective responsibility of an all-members society.

💬 What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?

Abigail Gawronski: Have a growth mindset, be a lifelong learner. As the tech industry leads the digital transformation across industries, I would say the most important skill to develop is change agility. Adapting to market conditions, managing uncertainty, collaborating, and failing quickly will set anyone up for success in today's workforce no matter what industry you're in.

💬 Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Abigail Gawronski: My mentor was a derivatives trader on Wall Street in the 90s. To be a woman on Wall Street in the 90s was definitely a challenge. Balancing the work-life culture, being underrepresented, experiencing pay disparity, but still being able to achieve took hard work, resilience, and grit. My gratitude for this kind of leadership can't be put into words. Her involvement on the boards, her professional journey, and her philanthropic success has guided me to where I am today.

💬 How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Abigail Gawronski: Managing expectations has always helped me when it comes to work-related stress. Gaining a clear understanding of a project scope helps reduce anxieties and allows me to perform without unexpected (last-minute) demands. I believe that expectation setting at the beginning of a project is key to success and creates a positive and less stressful work environment.

💬 Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Abigail Gawronski: Early on in my career I often tried doing everything on my own. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking, if I just do the work I know it will get done the way I want it to be done. I quickly noticed that this mindset was not very effective. By fostering more collaboration, I was able to grow with others, strengthen my leadership skills, and learn more together. Collaboration is a very powerful tool, especially in a high performance company.

💬 Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Abigail Gawronski: My number one tip for successful networking is to be genuine. In my experience, the more I share my authenticity the more I inspire others to share their own. Creating a space to listen to someone else's story develops trust in the relationship. Networking in a professional setting is about the mutually beneficial value that each person brings and working to cultivate the relationship together.

💬 What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Abigail Gawronski: Time management is my key to success. This goes beyond updating your calendar each week. I look at time management as the driving force behind goal setting. By breaking down the time you need to set aside to achieve your goals, you will get a better understanding of what's realistic and attainable and what's not.

💬 What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Abigail Gawronski: I have always been highly competitive. I recently moved coasts and Seattle is a hot spot for the tech industry. I love learning new things and with the fast-paced development of technology has me feeling inspired and wanting to be on the inside of innovation. Being in Seattle, I'm surrounded by innovation and I'm absolutely loving it.

💬 What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Abigail Gawronski: Be curious. Learn what resources are available to you, have mentors who you can seek advice and guidance from, research new opportunities, and for those seeking a career change highlight your transferable skills. No matter what stage of your career you are in, always find ways to invest in yourself.

💬 How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry?

Abigail Gawronski: I enjoy educating myself and luckily there are so many trainings and resources available nowadays. It's important to remember professional development is an ongoing process and as long as you have the willingness to learn it's well worth the investment.

💬 Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Abigail Gawronski: All of it. I love what each opportunity has given me and where it brought me next. I feel extremely grateful for always being in a position where work came to me. It gave me the ability to fully understand the value of an opportunity beyond just a paycheck.

💬 How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Abigail Gawronski: My health is my wealth. Anything and everything that doesn't support that comes second. I genuinely pride myself on not getting caught in the "work to live" mentality.

💬 Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Abigail Gawronski: I am a big believer of LinkedIn. Connect with people, use it as an educational tool, and explore what others are doing in the professional world as a daily best practice to your career development.

Like this? For more personal and professional development tips follow Miss EmpowHer on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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