Banking As a Career Option

Donna Smith, a commercial banking executive with Associated Bank, Chicago, has more than 30 years experience in the banking industry. We talked to her about careers.

1) Banking has been a male-dominated industry since its inception. What drew you to it?

I’ve always enjoyed finance and I was drawn into banking because I knew it would allow exposure to an array of companies, industries and corporate cultures.

Through my work early in my career, I found a passion for working with middle market companies to help them establish goals and grow their business. That passion continues to drive me today. Obviously, there are more male than female employees at many banking institutions, but I’m not sure I’m willing to say it’s still “male-dominated.” Women in my generation have made amazing progress in our industry and are now beginning to fill some the industry’s most prestigious top level positions.

2) You’ve seen women in corporate environments succeed and fail. What traits do women who succeed have in common?
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Five Questions: Professor Quentin Schultze

For thirty years, communication professor Quentin J. Schultze has taught the secrets of persuasive résumé writing to scores of students. His new book Résumé 101 delivers effective strategies to showcase your skills, knowledge, and traits. We talked to him.

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Five Questions For Andrea Chambers

Andrea Chambers, director of the Center for Publishing at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

1) The change from print to the web has cost thousands of people jobs. Why get into the industry?

While the transition to digital has indeed resulted in layoffs and restructuring, particularly in the newspaper business, it has also created a wide range of new positions and opportunities for those willing to embrace change and master new skills.

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Five Questions For: Carol Brown

Carol Brown is the Recruitment Manager for Best Buy Mobile and has 15 years experience in human resources. She considers herself a champion of workplace diversity. We asked her some frequently-asked questions from job seekers.

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Five Questions For: Lauren Berger

During 15 internships as an undergrad, Lauren Berger learned all the ins and outs. She created www.internqueen.com and her new book, All Work, No Pay (Ten Speed Press) is all about the benefits of internships. We asked her Five Questions.

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