During the month of March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ll be putting a spotlight on some of the talented women who lead TalentWorld every day. From a Regional Director that got her start as a Temporary Associate – whom you’ll meet today – to woman at the helm of TalentWorld.
Our intention with this series is to give their voice a platform; an opportunity to be radically honest about their career journey, the successes and the struggles. For so many important reasons, but really only one – so they can be heard.
Meet Katy...
Katy Monette is the Regional Manager of the TalentWorld Laval-Laurentides-Laudière office and the Montreal office. As a leader, Katy is passionate about giving others the opportunity to succeed. She believes that only when you step out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge—that you can truly grow in your career.
How it started…
How did your career in staffing begin?
I actually started my career as an employee of a staffing agency! The same agency we later acquired in 2013 that mark the start of TalentWorld. Seriously.
I was recruited as a Temporary Associate working as a floating cashier for different banks. At one point, the staffing agency was hiring for an internal Recruitment Coordinator role, so I applied and got the job!
I worked a high-volume temp desk for about 8 months before an opportunity to lead the opening of a new branch presented itself. I became the Office Manager starting with a team of three. But thanks to the recruiting experience I had just gained, I was able to grow the team to 30 in just a few months! This led me to become the director of this branch until GardaWorld acquired it and it transformed into the TalentWorld Laval-Laurentides-Laudière office.
I think my time rising from being an employee of a staffing agency to the Regional Director really shows that anyone can make it if they just have the curiosity to learn and the determination to succeed.
What was your biggest struggle early in your career?
I want to be successful in all areas of my life. Whether that be professional with my career goals, or my family life with my role as a mother and wife. It hasn’t always been easy to be available for the demands of each role I am in, but I have learned how to balance them and trust myself. I am not afraid to take the plunge into something new. When I opened my first office, I had never done something like that before. I didn’t know how much attention it would require building everything from the ground up, even the office space had to be designed! But that didn’t stop me because I love a challenge!
How it’s going…
What do you think shaped you into the leader you are today?
What shaped my career early on was the decision to make the most out of my temp position and use the skills I learned to further my career. People gave me a chance to expand on them and so now I don’t shy away from giving others in my team the same opportunities to shine! I try to lead by example and take on challenges out of my comfort zone so that my team will not be afraid to do the same. Because at the end of the day, that’s how we grow in our career!
What led you to TalentWorld?
I’ve been with TalentWorld before TalentWorld even knew it was TalentWorld!
Being here is rewarding and challenging every day. I feel that I am trusted with my abilities and my judgment. And still today there is this constant opportunity to grow in my career. The values of TalentWorld and the entrepreneurial culture that pushed me to discover this entrepreneurial side of myself is what pushes me every day!
Where do we want it to go…
Do you believe women encounter more obstacles because of their gender in their careers?
Yes, because when you are in a male-dominated industry, the expectations for women are so much higher. We have so many hats to wear—a lot of us are full-time mothers!
Did you know that the standard 9-5 work week was designed with the expectation that there would be someone at home taking care of the children? This hasn’t changed when women entered the workforce, so it can be hard to juggle all these responsibilities.
There can be a sense of guilt when you’re at work that you’re not focusing on your child. And when you’re at home with your child—the pressure to work is still there. It’s a constant struggle many women still face because they are expected to be good at both.
Do you have any advice you want to share?
Don’t be afraid of receiving constructive criticism and being curious! We have huge amounts of information at our fingertips so commit to learning and trust yourself. Be persistent and never give up. And look to the people around you for guidance.
