Alia Abbas MA, BREP

I really attribute a lot of my success to the mentors I've had along the way. Jeff Finkel, in particular, took me under his wing and supported me at a time when I really needed guidance. I also want to give a shoutout to Jan Nevins and Diane Lupke, who helped me better understand what it means to be a woman in this type of profession, where it's very male-dominated. They showed me that building connections takes time, and finding your footing in the field, especially when you're still figuring out what area you can specialize in, is a process. What I appreciated most was that I had such good mentors who helped guide me not just professionally, but also personally. They refined my presentation skills, how I present myself at conferences, and how I approach one-on-one conversations, even in more casual settings like coffee shops. They also taught me that relationships should never be one-sided. It's just as important to give back and provide my input to that organization or the individual I'm speaking to. That mindset has really stayed with me.

I would say to her that there are going to be different moments in your life where your dreams evolve, and that's okay. Just because one dream doesn't work out or one of your wish lists doesn't come true, it doesn't mean there aren't other opportunities coming your way. When one door closes, there are still chances you can take, but you have to really bet on yourself. More than anything, you need to be more confident, because throughout this career path, even being 10 years in, I realized that people I had as mentors were still working on things themselves too. There were things they were scared about that they weren't able to share. But when you talk to these people and you're networking, you might feel like, 'Oh no, am I the right fit? I may not be smart enough,' and you may have this imposter syndrome. So just shake that off, because I feel like everybody's going through different challenges. You being more direct and open is something that will help you down the road too, because you'll get to learn a lot from people then.

I feel like the biggest challenge, especially in my field, is how broad it is. There are so many different directions you can go into, which is why I've learned that it's really important for me to be involved in larger organizations and to sit on committees. I find those experiences to be very valuable. For me, it's never just been about the paid opportunities. It's also about the volunteer opportunities and giving back when you're not getting those paychecks. That shows your willingness to be a part of the community and stay aware of the different avenues this profession can take you. Building strong relationships has been huge, especially with mentors. I've had a good 10 to 15 men and women who have provided me support in my career path. I feel like as a professional, we tend to think we only need a mentor early in our career, but I've realized that at every stage, especially when you change your career path or job title, you do need some type of guidance and mentorship. So I feel like the biggest challenge is understanding that you need a mentor at different stages too.

One of the core values I carry with me is transparency. When you come into this field, you want to be yourself and have your own voice. Building that authenticity means sharing not just your strengths, but also your weaknesses. I don't think anyone truly knows everything, even when someone says they're an expert in something. I feel like every aspect of whatever degree you have or the area you're specializing in, there are thousands more doors for that knowledge. You're only grasping maybe 10% of what it is. So I feel like always having that mindset of 'I'm still learning' is really critical. Being open to sharing where you're missing out and giving that perspective of 'I have these blind spots in my career, and I just don't know how I can navigate it' is so important. Just being open to people about your weaknesses, but also being able to adapt and take the critique that people provide you as well.