Every first week of the month, InHerSight’s social media team shines a spotlight on women in different industries at our partner companies, sharing the best career advice they’ve ever received along with what they love about their job and industry. In our most recent spotlight, we highlighted women in STEM. One woman’s advice stood out as being particularly powerful to me:
“Take up space. So often, women are taught to leave space for others—to never be the loudest in the room, to never disagree, to resign from any sort of conflict. But, unfortunately, I have a lot to say. And unfortunately, I don’t always agree with everything a man says in a meeting. And unfortunately, I work too hard to not defend my work.”
This advice resonates because it challenges an ingrained habit that many women experience at some point—shrinking ourselves in order to make others comfortable. Her words serve as a reminder that your voice, perspective, and hard work deserve to be seen and heard. Taking up space isn’t about ego, it’s about honoring the effort and value you bring to the table and embracing the opportunities you have to unapologetically advocate for yourself.
In a perfect world, we’d enter the workforce armed with wisdom like this to flawlessly navigate challenges and thrive. But in reality, many lessons only become clear with time and experience. We opened up the career advice question to our larger audience, and here are some of the most impactful career insights women shared.
Read more: Advice from 20 Women Leaders Who’ve Been in Your Shoes
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Be open-minded—you don’t have to have it all figured out
1. “Be intellectually curious, challenge your own thoughts, and make sure to remain positive when questioning!”
2. “Do your absolute best even when no one sees.”
3. “Always be open to feedback and opportunities to learn more about your field.”
4. “It's okay to not have a plan or your entire career trajectory mapped out—every journey is full of twists and turns, which is often where you learn the most.”
5. “Don't be so hard on yourself. Mistakes are a part of the learning process. Compare only to who you were yesterday and learn from those who are further along a similar pathway.”
6. “Focus on the things that you can do and control. Don't let the things that are out of your control dishearten you.”
7. “Always remain teachable. When you are open and thankful, you will have a far better chance at advancement in your career.”
Always do your best—progress beats perfection
8. “Focus on continuous learning and adaptability. The job market is always evolving, and staying curious and open to new skills can help you navigate changes and seize opportunities. Additionally, building strong relationships and networking can open doors that you might not have anticipated.”
9. “Give everything you do at your job 110%. You never know when the right person will notice.”
10. “Focus on mastering the fundamentals, and success will follow. It’s easy to get distracted by trends, titles, or what others are doing, but solid foundational skills—whether in communication, problem-solving, or technical expertise—are what truly sustain long-term success. Mastering the basics allows you to adapt to change, grow in your role, and navigate challenges with confidence.”
11. “‘Don't be a hero.’ This came from a colleague who was close to retirement. At the time, I was a young go-getter workaholic with anxiety who thought the only way I could be valuable was to be that hero. She taught me how to embrace ‘good enough’ and take things less personally.”
12. “Focus on progress, not perfection. Early in my career, I used to worry about making everything flawless, which led to unnecessary stress and self-doubt. However, I learned that consistent improvement and learning from small mistakes are more valuable than striving for unattainable perfection. This mindset shift has allowed me to grow more confidently in my roles and approach challenges as opportunities to learn. It also reminds me to appreciate the journey and not just the outcomes, which has been essential in maintaining my motivation and wellbeing at work.”
Always be your own biggest advocate
13. “Talk about your accomplishments—don’t leave it to leadership to acknowledge them.”
14. “Keep a notebook of STAR (situation, task, action, result) experiences throughout the course of your career—achievements, challenges, failures, etc. Be able to reference these in the future when questions come up about circumstances within your career.”
15. “Market yourself. You need to talk about yourself and your achievements, no one else will. Your managers are busy with many competing priorities, and they may not realize your potential until you speak up.”
16. “‘No’ is a complete sentence.”
17. “Manage your own career progression. Fight for yourself and your team. Being an effective leader is essential to the success of the department. Mentor and teach your team everything you know.”
18. “Don't hesitate to be your own advocate. Ask for the promotion, the raise. State your needs. Demand to be recognized fairly for what you contribute.”
Relationships are just as important as your skills
19. “The best career advice I’ve ever received is about the importance of connecting with people like-minded in your field/industry. Be open and receptive to getting to know people that have the same career interests as you and be willing to learn from them.”
20. “GOOD MANNERS MATTER.”
21. “Focus on building relationships and embracing continuous learning. Success isn’t just about skills and accomplishments—it’s also about collaboration and being open to new ideas, feedback, and growth. This mindset has helped me tackle challenges, grow professionally, and make a positive impact in every role.”
22. “Be five minutes early or you are late. Showing up on time shows not only your care for the company you work for but that you respect yourself as well.”
23. “Find someone who will advocate for you behind closed doors.”
24. “Always remember to elevate your team and invest time on their development as well as your own.”
Take risks and embrace failure
25. “Keep delivering even if you fail. Every time we come out with a learning experience, it helps us deliver better the next time.”
26. “The effort you put into your career is what you will get out of it. The outcome can only be based on your own performance.”
27. “Always ask for and go for what you want. You will never know if it was possible unless you try. Worst case, you get a ‘no.’”
28. “Raise your hand and ask for additional projects when you have free time. Projects across teams are better, since it allows you face time with people you don't normally interact with and fosters new working relationships.”
29. “The thing you dislike doing the most—learn it, adapt to it, and then, excel at it. That way, everything else will be that much easier.”
30. “Take full advantage of every opportunity presented to you. While the benefit may not initially show itself, there will always be a time in your career where those opportunities you were offered provide beneficial experience.”
31. “The career you want is always within reach. You just have to be willing to leave a comfortable state to find it.”
Don’t let fear hold you back
32. “Don't shut down or go quiet when you're upset about something at work. It's important to speak up, professionally, with your supervisor when you have a concern.”
33. “Give yourself grace and stop being so hard on yourself. Also, don’t let fear keep you from your potential to become successful.”
34. “Don't be afraid to leave and pursue another job if that makes you happier. Your mental health matters more in your job performance than others will have you believe.”
35. “Embrace discomfort because that is where you will grow.”
36. “Be open to different opportunities if they make sense for you, even if it isn’t something you were looking for or necessarily thought you wanted. It may surprise you and be better than you expected.”
37. “Even if you don't think you have all the requirements, apply.”
38. “Take control of your career. Figure out what you want and own it. Don't depend on anyone else to get you where you want to go.”
39. “It's not ‘fake it till you make it,’ but rather, ‘try it until you make it.’ Only by trying and learning can we become better.”
40. “Growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Whether it’s switching careers, moving to a new company, or taking on a challenging project, calculated risks can lead to significant opportunities for advancement.”
Stay true to yourself and your values
41. “Never put your job before your mental and physical health. If the company you are working for will try to shame or penalize you for any needed time, then you should try to leave as soon as possible.”
42. “Don’t say anything you wouldn’t post on a bulletin board for the whole office to see.”
43. “Don’t lose yourself in the massiveness of a job. Learn to step away to reset when it gets to be too much.”
44. “Be yourself. Find a culture you identify with. If you do not, you will not be happy.”
45. “Stay true to your values, follow your passion, remain curious and committed to learning, embrace change with an open mind, and always focus on creating a meaningful impact.”
46. “Keep learning. Make time for friends, family, and your own life. A job should compliment, but not demand everything from you.”
47. “You’re never too old to find your passion.”
48. “The only person who will show up and make your life better is you.”
49. “If you are no longer growing, it's time to move on. Don't sit on an opportunity because you want to wait and see.”
50. “You don’t have to stay in a career that you no longer feel interest in. It’s okay to change things up for the better.”
