Contributing Writer: Abby

Let’s talk about identity. The journey to finding your identity is ever evolving both professionally and personally. As a former student athlete, athlete was always my identity. I was never just a student, I was a student athlete… that is even how I was introduced to others even after my career. “This is Abby, she was a Division One student athlete…” was frequently the phrase used when friends, family and bosses introduced me to others, and I had a sense of pride with it too. Though, as my athlete title began to slip away, my “Corporate” identity began to resonate stronger. At work I was incredibly hungry to grow in my career, so I did things I thought would get my farther...such as biting my tongue in meetings where I had an opinion but I was just the “young, pretty employee” in the room, so I should listen. Slowly, I realized, I began to leave pieces of my personality at the door when I entered the office as a way to earn respect from my male counter parts. If I was more masculine then I was powerful, I would grow quicker and earn my way to a higher paycheck and career fulfillment.. right? Though, I quickly came to realize I wasn’t happy. The qualities that made me unique, talented and entrepreneurial, weren’t my qualities that were being valued in the workplace, but rather my work ethic and drive was what was giving me the most praise. So, I began to realize that maybe this “climb the traditional corporate ladder and one day become CEO path” was not for me. So I quit my job - quitting, was something that was never a part of my vocabulary - in pursuit of scratching this itch that had been calling me to explore what I really wanted to do with my life. I began to explore my new identity: “Abby The Traveler”, “Abby the volunteer”, “Abby the quitter,” Abby who has lost count of the different jobs she worked last year” and the best one yet, my personal favorite, “Abby the CEO.”



All of the sudden - and still I don’t really know how it all came together - a holistic identity began to form. After following my passions and exploring connecting what I loved to what I wanted to do professionally, I began to find new confidence in who I am. I founded The AG Collective, and I realized my identity is not defined by my career choices, my professional title, or my hobbies and passions, but is a holistic combination of all of these qualities.



I even picked up a new corporate job (words I never thought I would say), and now I am Abby the athlete, a former marathon runner, a champion of equality, an entrepreneur, a risk taker, an explorer, a role model, a corporate professional and a business owner. Remember who you are, and use your femiine or masculine qualities as your strengths in and out of the workplace. By embracing all of the indenties you have, you will only continue to shape who you are, what you accomplish, and will be guided in your post-college life.