Her Spark asks Elizabeth Romero, Corporate Communications Manager at Metabolon, Four Questions. Here’s what she had to say!
Q1: Who is your favorite female role model and why?
I can’t say that I have a single favorite female role model. Strong notable women throughout history like Elizabeth Packard (The Woman They Could Not Silence), who used their gifts to lift others, are inspiring. For that reason, Melinda Gates is also a neat role model. I’m equally inspired by women I know who have the grit to share their voice and perspective about how they juggle all that life throws our way because; alongside our careers and professional aspirations, we are all just human.
Q2: What are you reading right now? Or what’s next on your reading list?
I just finished Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover, this week (fantastic read!) and have just started Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It's a very different genre for me, so we’ll see if I like it!
Q3: What’s the best career or academic advice you ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to promote yourself because no one else will. There will hopefully be moments in your career where you find a true champion to support and echo your value and wins (but it may take time to find). Just remember to know the value you bring to your company and find opportunities to amplify. Promoting oneself is easier said than done for many women I know, but I focus on doing this organically and picking up on how other people in my sphere do it for fresh ideas. You can always find an opportunity to promote yourself in a classy way. Along the same vein of promoting yourself is always making time to work on your brand, including keeping an up-to-date résumé and LinkedIn profile and creating space to reflect on your achievements every six months or so.
Q4: What is your favorite part of Summer Summit? If you haven’t attended before, what are you looking forward to the most?
I work in a STEM-adjacent field (i.e., I’m a communicator working for a biotechnology company). I have long had an interest in the sciences, so my career in “letters” has led me to where I am today. I love my field. But I do believe if I had been exposed to the sciences in a bigger way, I might have been drawn to a STEM field in college in a more direct way that, at the time, I felt was out of reach.
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About Her Spark
Founded in 2017 by professional women and business leaders, Her Spark is dedicated to solving gender disparity in computer science, engineering and technology careers. Her Spark’s mission is to equip girls with the skills and opportunities to succeed in the careers of tomorrow. For more information, to learn ways to get involved or to make a donation, please visit HerSpark.org.