To ask women for the steps you took to get to 100k

[madasawethen]

If you're a woman making 100k or over, what steps did you take to get there.

Job title(it can be general like manager, solicitor)
Training
How long it took?
Any tips or advice for others who want to get there?

Engineer in Pharmaceutical Industry:
What I did, looking back:

• Got high grades in science & maths A levels allowing entry to a good UK University

• Got a good Engineering degree (1st)

• Got a job with a Blue Chip company and got 10 years work experience

• Moved countries with job during 10 years. Learned languages.

• Ended up in a European country with a lot of job opportunities for engineers

• Quit during maternity leave

• Came back to work freelance status in European country (rates of about £ 65-70/h pre tax)

Lots of sacrifices & stress to get there. Sleepless nights, relationship difficulties.
Not able to live near extended family.
Would not change it for the world however. A real growth experience.

• Get good at something that is in demand and that other people find difficult

• Grab every opportunity. Be willing to relocate.

• Get out of your psychological "comfort zone" regularly - keep learning

• Find good role models

• Money isn't everything. Sometimes the sacrifices might not be worth it. Weight it up continuously.

Hi Bouledepetanque - just Hi really! I'm also in this category and am also a Boule.

Wah les boules

If any women looking to transfer into non-tech roles in tech companies want to DM me I will try to support and advise you if I can. But I'll have to do it without outing myself!

I have enjoyed reading the rest of the threat and kudos to every woman out there pushing to be valued at what they're worth. I agree with those who are saying this is about awareness: there are lots of high paying jobs out there, you may already have the skills and experience required for them. Someone will get them - why can't it be you? These opportunities can transform families' lives. (Are there also structural reasons why opportunities aren't available for many people? Yes absolutely. And the toughest jobs continue to be the most poorly paid, from care work to education.)

Okay but...aren't they all doing really well? I mean, the ones going the extra mile, are they making that much more than the others?

I am unlikely to every earn over 100k despite working in a niche area of criminal justice (public sector), I earn just under 50k now, but going as senior as I can in this field won't take me past 80. However I get 34 days leave a year plus BH, excellent sick pay if I ever need it, my employer's pension contributions are around 30%, mine around 7%, I'd have to earn a lot more to stash away this amount in the private sector. I work my helps over 4 days full time (37 hours) I can also always make sports day, school plays, trips etc , when nursery called last week my boss ushered me out of the door, there are also times when I log on at weekends and evenings but not too often. My job is also mentally and emotionally very challenging (which I like).
Don't fixate on a salary number, consider the whole package.

30% of your salary is only £15k a year extra to earn that you could choose to put into a pension yourself, it doesn’t feel like that much more - when you compare it to the 100k+ earners, in the private sector but you are right, it’s not all about money.

Deputy CEO
public service
worked my way up post uni
specialist area
bit of right place right time too if I’m honest