Water Association DEI Chair and HR Expert Erica Gordon-Roberts On Planning A Successful Career and Understanding Industry Barriers That Need To Be Addressed

0:00 - 3:03 - Introduction and Welcome Remarks

The host welcomes the guest speaker, Erica Gordon Roberts, to the Women Of Water Virtual Summit and provides an overview of the event's objectives and agenda.

3:03 - 6:11 - Background of Erica Gordon-Roberts

Erica shares the significance of education and training in creating opportunities for women in the water industry. She believes that education can come from different sources, and training can help women progress beyond entry-level positions. Erica also emphasizes the need for representation in leadership roles and discusses the common reasons for women leaving the workforce.

6:11 - 18:12 - Erica shares her personal experience of developing a passion

The speaker highlights the significance of exposure and opportunity in the water industry, especially for women and those without family connections. She shares her personal experience of developing a passion for the industry and stresses the need for diversity in water-related careers. Additionally, the speaker highlights the range of non-STEM career options in the water industry, including creative, business, and finance roles.

18:12 - 26: 47 - The challenges faced by women in the water industry

Factors like lack of diversity, limited advancement opportunities, and pay inequality cause frustration and talented women to leave the industry. Mentorship programs should be expanded, and non-traditional entrants should have access to association opportunities. Recognizing biases and the diverse skill sets and experiences of different age groups is crucial. Intentional and diverse recruitment processes can increase productivity and problem-solving abilities.

26:47 - 32:16 - Overcoming Career Markers and Embracing Flexibility

Speaker shares leaving a comfortable yet mistreated job, taking a 30% pay cut to find a supportive workspace. They discuss archaic career markers hindering women's job roles, emphasizing flexible recruiting and transferable skills recognition. Networking's power in finding job opportunities is highlighted.

32:16 - 43:34 - Erica discusses the misconceptions of defining success and how people often determine their level of success by comparing themselves to others.

She emphasizes the importance of setting personal goals and holding oneself accountable, finding a supportive community, and being intentional in one's actions. Erica also mentions the benefits of mentorship in both directions and the importance of soft skills, such as knowing how to navigate a room and say no, in being successful and keeping valuable employees

43:34 - 58:53 - Closing Remarks and Next Steps

In closing remarks, it's important to document and report incidents of harassment and theft. Seeking legal support and reporting to appropriate authorities can help navigate through the path. It's important to remember to take care of oneself and seek support from a care team, including legal professionals or advocacy organizations.