\tLIVE FROM MWC19 SHANGHAI: Speakers at the Women4Tech Summit suggested career opportunities for females are often out there but require taking risks and leading by example.<\/p>\n
Amanda Woolverton, VP of marketing and communications at Ericsson (pictured, second left), shared three tips: dare to think big, dare to take risks and dare to lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cDare to do something out of your comfort zone and do something extraordinary everyday. That is so important to your development. If we don\u2019t step up to lead we\u2019re not going to make an impact,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Woolverton compared the steps needed to succeed to those taken by China, which was long a follower and is now a leader in 5G. \u201cI think China dared to think big even though it only opened its door to the outside world 30 years ago. It knew it was behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Woolverton said these principles have also been followed by China Mobile and Ericsson China.<\/p>\n
Be heard
\nGrace Chan, SVP of product management at MasterCard (pictured, far right), agreed it\u2019s important to take calculated risks to tackle problems others may not attempt and be willing to go to new places.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how you get recognised and make yourself heard on driving the corporate strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She noted success is a combination of internal and external factors. She went to China and was able to take advantage of the fintech boom: at first arrived, China looked to the West for leadership, and now it\u2019s the other way around.<\/p>\n
\u201cNowhere in the world do you get the speed, sophistication and the scale of this market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walk the talk
\nHuang Yuhong, deputy GM at the China Mobile Research Institute (pictured, far left), said overcoming challenges is about continuous improvement and being a good role model.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think people around me are influenced by my work ethic and enthusiasm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the importance of male support and mentoring, Chan encouraged woman to reach out and realise people are open. \u201cThe doors are always open, it\u2019s whether you are willing to take that step and knock on their door.\u201d<\/p>\n
Woolverton said the biggest challenge for women is to be true to themselves, noting in a male dominated office woman are often too eager to please.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the beginning of my career, I thought maybe I should be like them [men], very aggressive, very assertive, very vocal. But I thought is that really me?\u201d<\/p>\n
To be yourself, she said, requires having unique insight, unique skills and a unique point-of-view, which will give you the confidence to make yourself heard and be authentic, she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LIVE FROM MWC19 SHANGHAI: Speakers at the Women4Tech Summit suggested career opportunities for females are …<\/p>\n
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