Career Insurance: Your “AAA Policy” for Professional Security as a Woman of Color
In today's rapidly evolving job market, marked by economic volatility, technological disruption, and shifting workplace dynamics, it's crystal clear that there is no real "job security" for anyone. As women of color, we face an especially challenging landscape thanks to systemic barriers and biases in the workplace.
As we continue to navigate high inflation and the ongoing waves of layoffs, RIFs, and “fiscal responsibility,” it's more crucial than ever for us to take proactive steps to safeguard our careers.
Enter what I call "Career Insurance," our personal "AAA policy" for professional security and growth.
Let's dive in.
What is Career Insurance?
Career Insurance is a strategic approach to career management that equips us–as women of color–with the tools, skills, and networks necessary to weather professional storms and capitalize on opportunities, despite the additional hurdles we often face.
Think of it as a comprehensive package that includes:
A powerful, diverse professional network
A substantial body of work that showcases our unique perspectives and talents
A strong personal brand and sufficient visibility in our industries
The skills to navigate our careers successfully, including dealing with microaggressions and bias
A commitment to continuous learning and upskilling
In essence, Career Insurance is about building resilience, adaptability, and marketability into our professional lives.
It's our safety net and contingency plan all rolled into one, making sure that we can land on our feet when wrenches are thrown and we’re faced with unexpected setbacks, industry disruptions, or outright attacks.
Why Career Insurance Matters Now More Than Ever for Women of Color
The current economic landscape is fraught with uncertainty. Inflation’s been on the rise for what feels like forever, and many industries are still going through rounds of job cuts, contraction, and consolidation. We as women of color are already disproportionately affected by economic downturns, so you can see how relying 100% on our current jobs or skillsets is a risky proposition. With tenured professors being fired, Black women being pushed out of high-profile C-suite and CDO roles, there truly is no real “job security” anymore.
Then, factor in the rapid pace of tech advancements, especially when it comes to AI, GenAI, and automation. As a result, many existing roles are evolving or becoming obsolete. If you've heard the term "prompt engineer," you know what I'm talking about.
Career Insurance, though, allows us to pivot, adapt, and thrive regardless of external circumstances or systemic challenges.
And by investing in Career Insurance, we are doing the closest thing there is to future-proofing our professional lives and livelihoods–ensuring that we stay relevant, valuable, and even indispensable amidst an ever-changing job market that has never been designed with us in mind.
How Do We "Get" Career Insurance as Women of Color?
So the bad news is that we can't just buy a Career Insurance policy from an agent.
The good news, though, is that we are 100% capable of building and investing in our own Career Insurance, and we can start any time. As women of color, this investment in ourselves isn’t just beneficial—it's a non-negotiable.
While developing comprehensive Career Insurance is an ongoing process (it's definitely not a "one-and-done"), here are three easy steps that we can take today to start strengthening our professional safety net. And oooh will they yield long-term benefits!
1. Expand Our Professional Network
Our network is one of our most valuable career assets, especially as women of color. Start by reaching out to former colleagues, classmates, or industry acquaintances, particularly other women of color who can relate to our experiences. Schedule virtual coffee chats or attend online networking events. Platforms like LinkedIn can be invaluable for this purpose. Remember, as I’m fond of saying, networking isn't just about what others can do for us–look for ways to add value to our connections as well, creating a supportive community.
Action step: Reach out to three of your personal or professional contacts today and schedule catch-up calls for the coming week. Don’t necessarily steer the ask or the conversation toward work. Just reach out to check on them as a fellow human being and then take it from there.
2. Invest in Continuous Learning
In today's knowledge economy, our skills are our currency. As women of color, staying ahead of the learning curve is crucial. Commit to ongoing professional development by identifying areas where you can upskill or reskill. This could involve enrolling in online courses, attending webinars, or pursuing relevant certifications. Look for learning opportunities that also address leadership skills, negotiation tactics, and strategies for overcoming workplace bias.
Action step: Sign up for a course on a learning platform in a skill that's in high demand in your industry, or join a professional development program specifically designed for women of color.
3. Boost Our Personal Brand
Our personal brand is how we're perceived in our professional sphere. As women of color, it's important to craft a narrative that highlights your unique strengths and perspectives–otherwise, you’re at the whim of whatever other people have decided your brand is (risky!).
Start by auditing your online presence. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and showcases your achievements adequately. Start a blog, post on LinkedIn, or contribute to industry publications to demonstrate your expertise and amplify your voice and thought leadership.
Action item: Update your LinkedIn profile with your latest accomplishments, ask for recommendations from colleagues or clients, or share a post about your experiences or insights as a woman of color in your industry.
The Bottom Line: Start Building Your Career Insurance Today
In a world where change is the only constant and chaos is our “new normal,” Career Insurance is no longer a luxury or “nice-to-have” for us as WOC–it's an absolute necessity.
By taking continual, proactive steps to build our professional resilience, we're not only safeguarding our careers against economic uncertainty and systemic barriers, we're positioning ourselves for long-term success and fulfillment. And we are laying important groundwork for generations to come.
Remember: don't wait for a crisis to hit before you start preparing. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Take the three easy steps I laid out for you today (expand your network, invest in learning, and boost your personal brand) and you’ll start reaping the benefits of your Career Insurance policy before you know it!
Future You will thank you for it, and you'll be paving the way for other women of color to follow in your footsteps.
