Title:Alumnae share experiences navigating corporate workplaces

Cynthia Groves, leadership coach and adviser to the Kosoy Women in Business program at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, wanted to provide students and early-career professionals with a playbook on how to navigate the invisible rules in the workplace. She turned to six alumnae, publishing their advice in a new book entitled Mastering the Corporate Chess Game: Strategies for Advancing Your Career.

The book features chapters from alumnae across Georgetown as well as top executives across industries, including a foreword by Norah O’Donnell (C’95, G’03, HON’24, Parent’29, ’29), CBS News’ senior correspondent and a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent.

In her chapter, Ann Beth Stebbins (C’86, L’94), a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, dispels the myths about working for Big Law, explaining that while it is demanding, it can also be rewarding and intellectually stimulating.

“When you’re in law school, you’re trained to practice law, but no one tells you about the business of law,” says Stebbins. “How you get ahead in the law firm often ties to the business model of the law firm and what you as a young lawyer can contribute to the success of the firm.”

Stebbins served on the Georgetown Board of Regents, Board of Visitors at the Law Center, and still serves on the Alumni Advisory Board for The Corp while teaching at the Law Center. She was the recipient of the John Carroll Award in 2018.

“Georgetown instills in you a focus on others, and I try to live those values every day,” says Stebbins. “Big Law firms are not the easiest place to work, so I try to mentor young associates. I also acknowledge their contributions because sometimes just saying, ‘Good work’ goes a long way.”

Cameron Rogers (B’10), a partner at Angeles Wealth Management, recounts in her chapter how discomfort and career stagnation can fuel growth, innovation, and alignment between your values and professional work. She is passionate about financial literacy and helping women develop greater agency over their money.

When she was a sophomore, Rogers joined the Georgetown Student Credit Union and she graduated into the workforce during a global financial crisis. She didn’t have a linear career, so she shares how others can adapt to meet opportunities and pursue their passions.

“I had a period of inertia that created a period of reflection that turned into my next catalyst point,” says Rogers. “I figured if I can articulate what happened, perhaps it could be helpful to others.”