Latest news with #careerpath
Fast Company
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Deanna Strable's journey from intern to CEO of Principal Financial Group is inspiring—but may become increasingly rare
Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I'm Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. As a new crop of summer interns arrive at your company, it's worth considering: Will one of them rise to CEO? Deanna Strable, who became CEO of Principal Financial Group in January, interned at the company during college. After graduating from Northwestern University, she joined Principal as an actuarial assistant, the start of a 35-year journey that included a stint abroad and senior roles including chief financial officer (CFO) and president and chief operating officer (COO). (Disclosure: Principal is a longtime Inc. advertising and sponsorship partner.) 'People love to ask, 'Why'd you originally come to Principal?' but I think a fundamental question is, 'Why did you stay here for 35 years?'' Strable says of the insurance and benefits company, which last year reported $16.2 billion in revenue, up 18% from 2023. 'It ultimately comes back to the work, the company, and the people.' From entry-level to executive The intern-to-CEO path isn't unheard of, especially at family-led companies. Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, whose father founded the cable company, first interned at its Storecast marketing unit in 1974. J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., a global insurance brokerage founded by his grandfather, interned at the business in 1972. Some prominent CEOs are 'lifers,' having spent their whole careers at one company. Tricia Griffith, CEO of the insurer Progressive, started as an entry-level claims representative, and Mary Barra, CEO of GM, started at the carmaker as a co-op student. And while research suggests that CEOs hired from within an organization slightly outperformed external hires during the pandemic, and performed on par with one another before the pandemic, more boards are turning to outsiders to run companies. Spencer Stuart's ' 2024 CEO Transitions ' report found that 44% of all new S&P 1500 CEO appointments last year were external hires, up from 32% in 2023 and the highest rate since 2000, when the executive search firm started tracking the data. 'The CEO role has never been harder or more complex, and I do believe that you really need multiple experiences to be an effective leader in today's world,' says Janice Ellig, CEO of executive search firm Ellig Group. 'I don't want to predict that the intern-to-CEO [trend] is going to decrease, but I'm not sure it's going to increase.' Many roles, one vision Ellig says boards and investors want their chief executives to bring a range of relevant experiences to the role. Insiders who get the top job have typically led different departments and excelled in areas that are important to the company. GM's Barra, for example, led manufacturing engineering, global human resources, and global product development—critical divisions at a major automaker with 90,000 employees in the U.S. alone. Principal's Strable helped build and lead the company's benefits and protection business, which encompasses employee benefits, business owner solutions (life insurance and disability insurance), and nonqualified deferred compensation. As CFO, she worked alongside previous CEO Daniel Houston to develop a growth strategy that included discontinuing the sale of consumer life insurance products and focusing on higher-growth businesses such as retirement and global asset management. As a result, Strable says, she was 'able to hit the ground running,' adding: 'You know the people, you know the products, you know the business, you know the strategy.' The insider's double-edge sword Strable, who retains the president title at Principal, counts the familiarity and support of longtime colleagues as a 'plus' of being an internal candidate. But 'where it can be hard is there are times that people just expect that you're comfortable with things the way they are today,' she says. Strable says she encourages the company to 'lean into' its strengths but also evaluate the areas where Principal has not been effective. She strives to find ways to learn from people outside the company. 'I reinforce that with a lot of our leaders, too,' she says. 'You need to have a network of peers outside of the organization, both within and outside the industry.' At a lunch meeting in New York shortly after she became CEO, Strable reflected on the corporate milestones she's observed throughout her three-decades-plus at Principal. Of note: Some of the first 'graduates' of Principal's on-site daycare center at its Des Moines headquarters, which opened 17 years ago, will soon be eligible for internships at the company. Perhaps one of them might even become CEO someday. Are you an 'insider' CEO? Are you a company lifer who has ascended to the CEO role? What unique insights do you possess that outsiders or newcomers don't have? Please send your experiences to me at stephaniemehta@ And while I have your attention, please spread the word that Fast Company's annual Brands That Matter program is extending its deadline to June 6. If your brand excels in making emotional connections, communicating purpose, and maintaining cultural relevance, consider applying via this link.
News24
15-05-2025
- General
- News24
6 ways to help kids navigate subject selection in Grade 9
It's important to let kids choose subjects tailored to their strengths and interests. Help them find a balanced combination and factor in job trends. An education expert suggests attending university open days. _____________________________________________________________________ A big decision is on the horizon for Grade 9 learners - their subject choices that they will stick by from Grade 10 to matric. This choice is a key step in shaping their academic journey and future career possibilities. While it can be overwhelming, it's an opportunity to help your children set themselves up for success. Making a decision on subjects that could determine the trajectory of the rest of your child's school career and their possible career journey can be quite daunting, especially for a child of only 14 or 15 years old. As parents, it's so important to not only emphasise how this decision will impact your kids' school performance down the line but to also give them time and grace to do the research they need and explore subjects tailored to their interests. Wonga Ntshinga, the ICT senior head of programme at The Independent Institute of Education - South Africa's largest and most accredited private higher education provider, says, 'The subjects you select for Grade 10 to 12 will influence your performance in the National Senior Certificate exams. These choices will also affect your eligibility for further studies and certain career paths. 'The transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 is significant because your subject combination lays the groundwork for your future academic and professional opportunities. By choosing wisely, you can position yourself for success in matric while maintaining flexibility for your post-school plans.' Wonga helps us break down factors to help your child think about as they choose their subjects for the rest of their school career. Key factors to consider when helping your child choose subjects 1. Play to their strengths and interests Help them narrow down and pick subjects they enjoy and where they naturally perform well. This will keep them motivated, even when the workload increases. If your child is great at problem-solving, subjects like accounting or information technology might suit them. Similarly, if they love storytelling, dramatic arts or English could be a good fit. 2. Keep your options open At this stage, it's completely fair for Grade 9 students to not know what career they'd like to pursue yet. So, encourage them to choose subjects with broad applications, like mathematics, physical sciences or geography. These develop valuable skills such as critical thinking and numeracy, which are useful across many university programmes and industries. 3. Understand career and study requirements Even if they don't have a clear career goal, look at subject requirements for fields they might consider. For example, medicine requires mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences, while law often benefits from history and English. 4. Factor in emerging job trends The world of work is evolving rapidly, especially in areas like technology, healthcare and sustainability. Subjects like mathematics, physical sciences or information technology can prepare them for careers in these growing industries. Don't limit them to the traditional three to four year degrees, there are so many exciting, high-demand career paths out there that are directly aligned with industry needs. With new opportunities emerging all the time, it's worth exploring a wider range of education options. They might just find the perfect fit - something that didn't even exist a few years ago. 5. Find a balanced subject combination You're going to want to encourage your kids to want a mix of challenge and opportunity for good performance. Pairing a tough subject like physical sciences with a more manageable one like business studies can keep options open while ensuring a strong matric result. 6. Choose between Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy wisely Mathematics is essential for fields like engineering, science and commerce, while Mathematical Literacy is more suited to humanities or vocational paths. If they are unsure, mathematics gives them more flexibility in university admissions. Wonga signs off with a few extra tips for learners. 'When making subject choices in Grade 9, it is helpful to start from where you want to be in four years' time and then reverse engineer how you might get there.' 'Consult teachers, career counsellors or student advisors at universities both public and private for tailored guidance. Teachers can assess your academic strengths, while counsellors and student advisors can explain how subjects connect to career paths. 'Also consider going to university open days. Although you don't yet have to decide what to study, you are almost certain to gain highly valuable insights into your options after school, as well as gaining helpful advice and insights from professionals on campus.'
Independent Singapore
12-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Fresh grad says he fell into the comparison trap after learning 'finance folks are pulling S$13k/month straight out of uni'
SINGAPORE: A fresh graduate in Singapore took to Reddit after falling into what he called the 'comparison trap', saying he started doubting his own career path upon learning that some peers in finance were earning up to S$13,000 a month straight out of university. Posting on the r/AskSingapore subreddit on Sunday (May 11), the graduate shared that he had landed a 'decently paying' job in the tech industry right after graduation and was initially thrilled about the offer. However, that excitement soon gave way to insecurity and self-doubt. 'I know I'm in a 'supposedly' comfortable position, but I can't help comparing myself to those finance folks who are pulling $13k/month straight out of uni,' he said. The graduate also shared that the pressure to keep up with his peers has even led him to contemplate switching industries altogether, not out of passion, but purely for financial gain. Wanting to break free from the cycle of comparison, he turned to the Reddit community for advice. 'How do you deal with the jealousy and envy that comes from comparing yourself to others? Especially when it comes to the usual nonsense like salary, housing (do you have a condo), car, job title, overseas holidays, marriage, kids, and how fast people 'progress' in life,' he asked. 'I want to know how you deal with this source of comparison. If this is how I feel now, at the start of my career, is it only going to get worse down the line?' 'The only person you need to compete with is yourself.' Many Singaporean Redditors chimed in on the discussion to let the fresh grad know that nothing good would come from constantly comparing himself to others. They also reminded him that the 'finance folks' he envies probably have a lot on their shoulders, as high-salaried individuals often face much more pressure. One Redditor said, 'Even if those people may be earning S$13k a month…it probably does come at a cost…could be in the form of less time spent with loved ones, working even longer hours, and really high KPIs. One needs to ask themselves if they are willing to sacrifice all that for that high paycheck. Personally, I feel if you were to take up a job but sacrifice your mental health in the long term, it's not worth it.' Another commented, 'Those S$13k/mth finance bros will also compare against $25/mth IB & Wall Street bros. Then there are also nepo babies. Your salary will never be able to compare against their AUM. It's money growing from money. Just find your own inner satisfaction for peace of mind.' Some also encouraged the fresh grad to focus on his health, personal growth, and long-term fulfilment instead of chasing numbers. They pointed out that everyone progresses at their own pace, and constantly measuring success through external benchmarks can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Additionally, one user offered a simple but powerful piece of advice: 'Turn off your social media. The only person you need to compete with is yourself. Be better than yesterday, and it's okay you are enough.' In other news, a Singaporean woman has found herself in a troubling situation after a Korean restaurant allegedly continued crediting her salary and CPF contributions even after she resigned. On Friday (May 9), her son took to the r/askSingapore Reddit forum to seek advice on the matter. In the post, he explained that his mum had been working part-time at a Korean eatery for several months before resigning roughly two months ago. However, a month after her departure, the company 'accidentally' credited her salary and requested that she return the full amount. Believing it to be a one-time mistake, she promptly complied. Read more: Why does my mum's former employer keep 'accidentally' crediting salary and CPF to her and then ask her to pay back? Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
