Aneesah Davis-Carothers

I attribute my success to being a resource for others and helping people get to the next level they want. I've always valued being in a space where I can help people advance in their careers. I'm always trying to help people - if someone needs help or needs a resource, I want to point them in the right direction. For example, when I worked at University Hospitals, I met a student who was graduating from college and didn't know where he wanted to go. He was interested in finance, so I suggested going into research finance. We were emailing, and I sent his resume to someone who was hiring in the research finance department, and low and behold, they hired him. My being able to put him in that space made me feel good. I've been able to do that for a few people, and not even just with jobs, but if I have a resource or know anything about something that can help you, I'm gonna do what I can to put you in that position. It helps me fill my cup up to know I can be that mentor and resource for others.

The best career advice I've ever received, and one that I take with me to this day, is don't be afraid to ask questions. I used to be one that would never ask questions, and I would say I'm gonna figure it out myself, and I would always find myself in a pickle. Now I probably ask too many questions, but I do it because I like to know what we're doing, where we're going, and how I can find the best solution to the problem. I like to extend that advice to others and tell them, don't be afraid to ask, just ask. It won't hurt.

The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is, first and foremost, don't be afraid to ask questions. That's one big one for sure. And also, don't be afraid to follow your dreams and bet on yourself. Going into my current role, I was terrified. I didn't know what I was going into - I was the first one in my role, within the department, I didn't know what I was going into. I had to be the one to set the tone for the future! But my coming into here with confidence and the "I got this" spirit helped take the fear away. My colleagues were supportive and helpful, which helped me step outside my comfort zone. I've grown a lot, and I know I'm not done growing. We're never done. So just put that fear away, bet on yourself, and go for it. Another thing I would advise, no matter what it is, don't worry about it, because it'll all work out. Everything always works out in its own special way.

The biggest challenges in my field right now include navigating the current political climate, which is one of the bigger challenges we're facing. Another major challenge is managing the workload when you wear so many hats. Sometimes I get fatigued because I have so much on my plate, but I want to get it all done. I'm a person who gets eager and antsy, and I want to get everything done...Perfectly! I always make sure to sit back, write it all down, and prioritize everything step by step. Looking at tasks in this manner helps me to get things done efficiently. When everything comes to me at once, it feels like a heavy weight, but once I actually sit back and look at it and think about it, it works out every time.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are autonomy, family, and health. Autonomy is a big thing for me - like probably anybody else, I do not like being micromanaged. If someone micromanages me, it stresses me out to the top. I have autonomy in my current job, and it provides me that space to have that creative realm and to be able to produce the way I produce. If I had someone on my back and on my shoulder all the time, I don't think I would be able to excel in a lot of the different things that I do, because I'm able on my own to keep up with the flow and do the things that I need to do. Family is for sure a big thing for me. I like to make sure that work is work, and family time is family time. I make sure I separate the two. I don't go within mixing them - I know how some people will work, work, work, work, work, and then family gets neglected. And health is another one as well. I think prioritizing and evaluating your health and feeding yourself first, filling your tank up, is important. Because I feel like if I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of the work that I need to do or anybody else.