Connections do in fact yield new opportunities, demonstrated by the finding that networking helped one in three female advisor respondents get jobs, according to a new survey.
WE Inspire. Promote. Network. (WIPN) unveiled the executive findings from its research, “The Story of Us: 2021 Evolution,” which surveyed more than 800 women in the retirement industry.
“Our survey uncovered some key areas where the retirement industry can improve for women, especially when it comes to work-life balance and issues around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said WIPN President Jennifer Norr. “A bright spot in the survey is around the importance of mentorship and how seven in ten women feel it played a role in getting to their current level of career achievement. As a core part of our WIPN mission, we are proud to be able to provide networking opportunities for our members.”
Key findings
- Work-life balance remains a struggle with one in three women placing it as a top factor that makes them feel successful at work, but it’s an area with the lowest satisfaction in the survey.
- While there are plenty of women who feel content with their salary, over half believe theirs has not kept pace with their experience and responsibilities.
- Diverse employees stay when inclusion is achieved – one in five of the women of color surveyed consider leaving their employer due to company culture.
“WIPN created proprietary research to inform the national and chapter programming that our members highly value and depend on to grow their professional skills and personal views,” said Cindy Horn Kennedy, WIPN Programming & Research Chair. “We will share the findings at industry events and with the employees of our more than 50 corporate sponsors to advance the understanding of women’s roles, responsibilities, and compensation.”
Conducted in October 2020 by research partner Escalent, with the support from sponsors T. Rowe Price and OneDigital Retirement + Wealth, the study looks at a range of topics including the value of networking and mentoring, how to create a better work-life balance, a deep dive into compensation, and a discussion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots.
