A Voice Outside Your Headspace

Last year, MOXY reported on Nicolle Wilkinson’s generosity of time, talent and resources after she published an open offer on social media to mentor women in the construction and architecture industries free of charge.

Nicolle is a licensed architect in Arizona and the only certified construction manager in private practice along the U.S.-Mexico border between San Diego and Tucson (400 miles). Her 30-year career has focused on planning and management of complex capital improvement programs in California and Arizona.

For Nicolle, it’s not enough to wrap up her career at the top of her game or salary band, or with an impressive list of completed projects and recognitions. She didn’t want to go out without giving back – and the best way to do that was to support other women in the industry to ensure female perspectives continue to grow in this male-dominated space beyond her retirement.

Over the last 10 months, Nicolle has done exactly what she said she would do — meet monthly with women who need “a voice outside their own head space.” She has provided mentorship in one-on-one and group formats.

In September 2023, she invited special guest Alizanette Rodriguez to one of the group sessions. Alizanette, a senior analyst of business operations at Verizon, offered the following advice to Nicolle’s mentees.

SELF CARE

Set aside a set day/time on your calendar every week for self care — not just massages and mani/pedis, but for QUIET time. Put your phone on “do not disturb” and put the time on your calendar even if it’s only 30 minutes.

“We can’t be constantly full (busy) when we’re empty,” Alizanette said.

Being overworked without taking any time for ourselves leads to resentment.

THE JAR

Write down achievements on a piece of paper and place in a jar. Refer to them before performance evaluations or whenever you need a boost.

FILTERS

“Sometimes we need to say inappropriate things to be heard,” she advised.

Know when you need to filter yourself and when to speak unfiltered.

ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF & OTHERS

We all need a male champion at work to help us be heard.

We all need to ask others, “How can I help you?”

We all need to be unafraid to ask for help for ourselves.

“Leadership is lonely” and “give yourself some grace.”

DEMORALIZATION

When dealing with co-workers who underperform and are not disciplined, know that “you are only responsible for yourself and those immediately around you, not others.”