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CHG Healthcare is committed to doing our part to elevate women within our organization. And those who have experienced career success with us are equally committed to supporting other ambitious women looking to make their mark in the workforce. We're featuring CHG's female executives who share their top career tips to help other women find success within their careers.
Overcoming obstacles in the workplace
Many women in higher positions report the same scenario — early on in their careers, they were often the only women in their positions. Sharon Gorman, VP of tax, says finding other female role models or mentors in her exact role was challenging, so she had to look elsewhere for inspiration.
"I persevered by working harder, finding female peers in similar positions, and always sought out growth opportunities, no matter how challenging they were," Gorman says.
Kerry Norman, executive vice president of people and operations, is a self-described introvert. She confesses she is on the quiet side and tends to be more reserved than her colleagues. Early in her career, she had to push herself to speak up and share her point of view — it didn't just happen organically. Luckily, she had leaders and mentors who valued her differences.
"They encouraged me along the way and gave me the space to speak and be heard. They were patient," recalls Norman. "They listened and let me finish my thoughts before responding. They pushed me to enter leadership because they understood introverts can be reflective, great problem solvers, and level-headed when facing challenges.”
Norman says now that she is further along in her career, she does her best to repay the kindness she experienced by actively seeking out introverts in the room to ensure they are not overlooked.
Christine VanCampen, VP of diversity, equity, and inclusion, says, "Having a leader who is invested in my progress and willing to help me grow was instrumental in my attainment of the VP position. My leader at CHG helped me understand my strengths and where I needed to refine my skills to get to the next level. I also took full advantage of leadership development tools, training, and resources offered at CHG."
What should women look for in a company?
The three Cs, says Norman.
- A great culture.
- An opportunity to work with great colleagues you can learn from and feel inspired by.
- Plus, exciting and challenging work at a company that genuinely cares about its people.
That's what attracted her to CHG.
VanCampen said when she decided to look for new opportunities, finding an organization that shared her values was critically important.
Teri Gibson, VP of marketing and customer products, feels the same. “This organization truly believes in growth, development, and opportunity, and if you’re willing, as a person, to put in the hard work and grow your skills, I think the path [to leadership] is there for almost everyone. Women included.”
Championing our women: See how we're recognized
What advice would you give to other women dreaming of a successful career?
Our execs offer three pieces of advice to women looking to grow their careers.
Be clear about who you are and what matters to you
To achieve a “successful” career, you must be clear on what success means for you. For some, success means titles and salary. For others, success means helping others. Let your intentions serve as your north star in making career decisions.
Be courageous
Be willing to challenge and stretch yourself — that is where growth happens. Even if you fail, you will learn. And learning is the currency of long-term career success. Gibson feels that’s served her well on her leadership path at CHG. “I think that’s served me well — always be willing to take on something new. There are so many things I don't know how to do but let me give it a shot. Will you help me? I've just always pushed myself. Just because you don't know how to do something today doesn't mean you won't figure it out six months from now.”
Be collaborative
Show genuine interest in the people you work with and seek ways to achieve shared success. Caring about others, learning about their work and goals, and being a good partner allows you to build a strong network and individual relationships you can leverage throughout your career.
Gorman says, "Don't hold yourself back waiting until you are fully prepared for your desired position. You will never be fully prepared. Keep your eyes open for opportunities and continuously seek to prepare and improve yourself."
It's common for women to stay in their lane, but Norman says the best way to learn is to go outside your comfort zone and do it often.
"Dream big," she says. “Set lofty goals for yourself and be prepared to work hard to achieve them. Don’t sell yourself short. And don't be afraid if you have a setback — it's the comeback that matters."
Our commitment: Making wage parity a reality
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
CHG has strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a company, we're focused on increasing diverse representation at every level of our company. We look for opportunities to improve equity in areas like pay, hiring, promotions, and overall employee experience for all our employees. To create connections, we encourage mentorships, female-focused employee network groups, and roundtable discussions.
Seeking a place where growth and authenticity go hand in hand? Check out our current job openings.
