Making Career Connections through the

Making Career Connections through the League

By LAUREN GONZALEZ

They say that upwards of 70% of jobs are found through networking. When this is coupled with belonging to an organization of women who truly care about lifting you up, you realize that your potential is limitless. I joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2016, after moving to Cincinnati from Miami, Florida to work as a patent attorney with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). My undergraduate degrees in chemistry, finance, and international business made me a prime candidate to be a patent attorney; however, I quickly realized that my true passion was to work in corporate transactions. Although I sought out mentors at P&G, and I made it very apparent that my desire was to be rotated into the corporate transactions group, it became clear to me that I was not going to be able to practice the area of law I had always wanted. I remember asking myself, “Where can I cultivate the skills I need to best position me for where I want to be?” My mind immediately went to the League. I remember approaching Vicki Calogne and Tara Noland asking if there was an open position on the Finance Committee. There was not, but several weeks later Vicki called to ask regarding my interest in working as the Administrator of the Endowment. Through my role on the Endowment, I developed a relationship with Sustainer Valerie Newell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment and a Principal at Mariner Wealth Advisors. Those who know Valerie will tell you she is one of the most accomplished women both in Cincinnati and nationally and that she is a person who builds up those around her. I experienced this firsthand when Valerie pulled me aside one day and told me she thought I might be better suited in a corporate transactions role. It was as if she had read my mind. Valerie immediately started making calls and sending emails, introducing me to law firms with whom she thought I would make a great match. One such match was with Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP (Graydon), the oldest full-service law firm in Cincinnati. My first meeting with Graydon felt like fate and now, eight months later, I could not be happier working as a Corporate Associate on mergers, acquisitions, sales, corporate governance, and other corporate and financial work. I will be forever grateful to Valerie and to the League for helping me get to where I am and the relationships I’ve built and the skills I learned along the way.

Lauren’s Top 5 Tips for Women Seeking a Mentor:

Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. If you feel you are lacking in a certain area of your life, reach out to those in the League. Their support and advice is invaluable. Always give 100% of your effort and energy, especially when someone is making an effort through their professional relationships for you. Be mindful and deliberative of those you seek to network with and be respectful of their time. Always bring other women up just as those women who came before you have done for you.