#MambaMentality: Evaluations, Salary Negotiations, & Promotions
“The most important thing is you must put everybody on notice that you’re here and you are for real.” - Kobe Bryant
One of the most satisfying feelings is being fulfilled by the work that you do and having the great job that you’re doing being noticed by others. While we often only think of the doctoral experience as a series of courses and writing (seemingly) neverending dissertations, it is also an evaluative process similar to what we experience in the job market. In either scenario, the goal is to not only be viewed as competent to fulfill the role (doctoral student, associate professor, lead practitioner) but also as having earned the respect of your supervisor and colleagues as well as a possible promotion and/or bump in salary.
I have had my fair share of evaluations both during the doctoral process (to the tune of COMPS, proposal, and dissertation defense day...yikes) and in the workforce (we all know I love a good coin increase). Both of which, in the beginning, I failed miserably and did not properly advocate for myself. However, in recent years I’ve had some pretty redeeming moments and thought it would be useful to share some of these tips with my favorite ladies. Also, the recent loss of one of the greatest minds and influencers of modern society, Kobe Bean Bryant, has pushed me to be both more thoughtful and intentional about the power of self-concept and going after what’s mine. If you can see it, and you’re willing to work for it, you can have it. So here’s my go-to strategy for approaching evaluation and promotion conversations:
Know your worth. Confidence is everything. When in pursuit of your passion and the goals you’ve set, you don’t need to fake it. Whether it’s preparing for your proposal defense or an mid-year evaluation meeting with your boss, know that you have to be confident about what you bring to the table: innovation, creativity, etc. In Kobe’s words, “We can always kind of be average and do what’s normal. I’m not in this to do what’s normal.” You matter.
Be the best and become irreplaceable. As a doctoral student, I always made sure to do my best to stand out among my peers. Not to show them up or be a jerk, but because I wanted my professors to know how seriously I took the opportunity to be in my program and to prove my worthiness from day one of being able to one day be considered their colleague. In the workplace, this might look like showing skills and talents that not only make you unique but that give your company/organization an edge. Keep track of these contributions so that when evaluation time arrives, it will be easy to show your supervisor the value you add to the team.
Research the market. Make sure that you have done your due diligence to understand the ins and outs of your role and have mastered the objectives of your doctoral program and/or job. Understanding what others who are in your role or who have your job title are earning and the scope of their job responsibilities is also useful. For doctoral students, be able to explain how you plan to use your degree to create change in your field and your hopes for the impact your contribution to the literature will make.
Prepare your proposal. Ahead of a requested meeting or scheduled evaluation session, it is important to have all of the information you've gathered and your prospectus on your progress and contributions within the designated evaluative period ready to share. In some cases this is a formal report that can be provided, in other cases this might be your main talking points to be covered in a more informal discussion.
Make the ask. This is the most important part. Put all of that confidence and self-exploration to work and send that email asking for a review of your compensation or requesting a conversation with your major professor about the research they’re doing that you’d like to be a part of. Whether formal or informal, this meeting could change your entire career trajectory. As Kobe puts it, “Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.” Be prepared. Be fearless. Be the Mamba!
Ebonies, what is your #MambaMentality when it comes to creating opportunities to take your education or career to the next level? Share your tips and tools with our #EITI community below in the comments!
