6 Tips on How to Advocate for Yourself at Work and Find a Company Where You Can Thrive
Insight From Equinix's Hannah Agee
Hannah Agee's life looks a lot different than it did a decade ago.
Sure, that's true for most of us, but it's especially true for Hannah. She went from obtaining her GED, a factory job, and an abusive situation to having two two-year degrees, a career she loves at a company that looks out for her (hi Equinix, we'll come back to you in a bit!), and enough resources to successfully single-parent her seven-year-old son.
We sat down with Hannah, who's currently a platform operations engineer at digital infrastructure company Equinix, to hear how she found her role—and a company that allows her to put her family first, what she's looking forward to in her career now that she's completely redesigned it, and what advice she has for other people looking to do the same.
Recognizing What She's Worth
In 2006, Hannah found herself unemployed from her job at a local factory when it closed. She saw how dangerous this type of job could be when an individual at a different location was seriously injured. "I still have pain in my fingers, wrists, and hands from the repetitive movements. It was hard work that came with no sense of personal accomplishment," remembers Hannah.
She wanted to try a new field—one where she would have the opportunity to solve problems and feel that sense of accomplishment. "I knew if I didn't take the opportunity in front of me to focus on myself I wouldn't do it," says Hannah. "I was 30 years old, and I had never taken the opportunity to go and do something for myself."
A local two-year degree program was the right mix of practical instruction and dedicated mentoring, with instructors who really cared about helping Hannah and other adult learners successfully transition into a new technical field. Later on she attempted to continue her education at a university, but didn't find it to be a nurturing environment that fostered learning.
"The instructors at the community college really wanted us to succeed. They were invested," says Hannah.
One of her professors in her networking and information systems security courses recommended Hannah for an IT internship in a local school system. She loved the work, but it was still a physically demanding job that required her to carry hardware and travel frequently.
She applied for a customer support role at a tech company—a role she never thought she'd land. She got it, though, and the first few years were wonderful. But when Hannah had a baby, and was trying to schedule in pump breaks alongside her work, she realized that while the demands on her physical health were less, the demands on her mental health had ballooned.
"It was disheartening to realize the company wasn't as accommodating as I expected," says Hannah. "It had gotten to the point where I was having anxiety around taking the time to both pump and be available for my child when they needed me. This should not be considered a normal experience. I should feel supported no matter if I'm dealing with postpartum depression, the stress of my child going to daycare for the first time, or needing any other type of support."
Holding Higher Standards
Hannah left that job for her mental health, but she didn't immediately find a better solution. She had trouble finding companies that provided work from home opportunities, and even came across a situation where a manager expressed that they expected her to have her camera on during any of the video meetings. She talked to HR, Hannah adds, but to her knowledge, they did not investigate the situation.
When the pandemic hit, Hannah went on FFCRA leave from that job in order to take care of her son, who has epilepsy and whose asthma put him at high risk for infection. When it came time to interview again, she found she had a new attitude: while she was nervous, and definitely wanted a job, she refused to work somewhere she felt unsafe.
Her first conversation with Equinix's hiring manager was a game changer.
"Sidney changed my world. She made me feel safe and like I had a say, even through the interviews," says Hannah. "She was super accommodating. My son was literally jumping on me through the interview because he was home and she said folks were impressed. 'You know, if you can answer the things you did with a kid jumping all over you…!' I felt empowered and supported."
It also helped that the role Hannah was interviewing for at Equinix offered a new kind of challenge. After years and years in technical support, she realized she wanted to be less customer-facing. Now, as a platform engineer, she troubleshoots hardware, assists with site turn ups, and at times works with less time-sensitive issues.
"If I'm working on a problem or task I can still go prepare and have dinner with my child," says Hannah, who appreciates the community she's found not just with her manager and direct team but also with other Equinix employees.
"It feels too good to be true. I found a company that is supportive, and I don't have to worry about things I've had to worry about before," she says. "I couldn't imagine being able to spend the amount of quality time with my son now possible because of the support that Equinix provides. I'm grateful every day."
"Equinix stands behind their employees and truly exhibits what it means to be family friendly and employee centric," she adds.
How to Advocate for Yourself & What You Deserve at Work
Having successfully navigated a way out of jobs and relationships—personal and professional—that weren't working for her, Hannah has some hard-earned advice to pass on to anyone else looking to change their situation:
- A four-year degree isn't the only option. "I've been in this field for 12 years now. People should not be afraid to go to a technical or community college. You can get a great job with a two year degree."
- "You are the only person that can change your situation. You can't change other people. But just because something has been done a certain way forever doesn't mean it can't change. If you have something you need and you have an idea to make it happen, take it to the right people and say, 'Hey, here's an idea that would solve my problem.'" (For example, Hannah asked a previous employer if she could work from home half the day after picking up her son. No formal work-from-home program existed, but she was able to get approval.)
- Your job can be a means to an end. "There's nothing wrong with going to a successful company that you may not see yourself retiring from, but does get you the network and gets you a paycheck. Don't feel stuck there. You don't have to feel as though, 'Well, I should be grateful to be here.' You can stay and get the experience, the connections, and then move on when you're ready."
- Catch burnout early. "Life is too short to be stuck in a place that you're not happy at. Now I know what to look for in regards to burnout. If you're dreading work, literally in the pit of your stomach, every day, it's time to find something else."
- Meditate. Hannah swears by Transcendental Meditation. "TM helps me relax and feel more positive. I've been meditating for almost 12 years. The timing was perfect because shortly after I learned in 2010 I relocated away from my hometown and family which could have been very stressful. While I paid for the instruction initially I can meditate every day for the rest of my life and receive support whenever I need it."
- Don't sell yourself short. "There's always going to be somebody who knows more about the subject matter than you. That does not mean you are unqualified for the position. Take the chance and when you run across those folks with whom you can learn from, take that opportunity to grow your knowledge."
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