Blogs

By Lorien Parry

Lorien Parry (left) meeting her mentor for the first time at the WISE Within Chicago kick-off session.

For the first five years of my career, I felt I needed to play the "man's game" and burry my feminine side to get ahead in my career. I watched SportsCenter every morning to surprise colleagues with my statistical knowledge, learned how to play golf so that I never missed a "meeting," and drank beer while yelling at the bar TV during big games (no matter who was playing). 

Even with all the effort to fit in, I continued to get overlooked for new projects. I realize now that I was the one not allowing myself to be great. I was focusing so much on what the men thought and on playing their game that I wasn't spending enough time focusing on what I was actually passionate about, on evolving my skill set and on growing my career. 

Support in a New City

Facing a lack of opportunity, I decided to move from Cleveland to Chicago with the hope of advancing my career in corporate sponsorship activation. That was a great first step; however, once I got to the city, I had no idea what to do next. Enter WISE Chicago. I joined through a former colleague, and from the first event, I felt a real sense of support and interest in my career from all WISE members. I found a group that allowed me to be myself and focus on finding the right path for me. Each and every time I attended a WISE event or program, I was amazed by how these hardworking, extremely busy women were able to make the time to care for one another and build a network of colleagues turned great friends.

The WISE Within mentoring program was the icing on the cake for me. My mentor showed me how to become a proud, confident woman in the industry. With my mentor’s guidance, I discovered that my passion is building unique corporate partnership opportunities — not simply sports marketing — and with her help, I learned to use my feminine side, instead of hiding it away, to succeed. I also had the unique circumstance of being laid off during the mentoring program. I wouldn’t have had the courage to keep trying to find my dream job without the support of the mentors and other mentees.

New Dream Career

A year later, I am pleased to have found a dream career in the sales services unit at SmithBucklin, where I secure sponsorships and exhibit spaces for professional associations, as well as consult with educational and not-for-profit organizations to help them build long-lasting, mutually beneficial corporate partnership programs.

I am so excited to begin this next chapter of my career, and I want to thank WISE Chicago — and the women who work tirelessly to make it a success — for its support, educational programs and networking events. I owe my place as a woman in sports and events to you and look forward to providing the same support to the next generation by being actively involved with WISE Chicago for years to come.

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of WISE or any employees or affiliates. WISE makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any of the information supplied by the author(s). WISE will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its use. Publication of the information should not be considered endorsement by WISE. By using this website, you accept this disclaimer in full.

Content and the contributor’s title, company and other biographical information were accurate at the time of publication and may have since changed.