SMU Grad, Like Other Women, Works To Beat Gender Pay Gap
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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Hannah Mendoza graduated with her MBA from Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business in May and she had multiple job offers waiting.
"It's about hard work," says Mendoza, who landed a job with a Fortune 500 company working in marketing and strategy. "I was utilizing my network and my resources, and hard work absolutely pays off."
But, the hard work didn't end with classes. Mendoza was just as determined to buck the gender pay gap statistics and secure the salary that she deserved.
"You hope that you're going to negotiate well on behalf of your company when you're in that role. So why would you not do the same for yourself as an individual to show the value that you'll bring to the table?"
Mendoza recommends doing your research, first, to find out what others are earning in similar positions. Showcase your accomplishments while pointing out how you will add value to the company. And finally, keep an open mind about compensation.
Lisa Tran, the director of the SMU Cox Career Center, says, "It's not always just the salary. It's the bonus, it's the relocation, vacation: those types of things are also a part of the entire negotiating conversation."
According to Tran, SMU Cox students are also encouraged to take a class that's offered to help students improve their negotiating skills and role play. Nevertheless, experts say many women still hesitate to ask for the salary they deserve—with lifetime consequences.
"Over someone's career... whether it's a few thousand dollars for a new graduate, that being in your base salary, and the way that that would grow over time, is huge," Mendoza said. "It is truly very impactful."
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