Korin Schmitz
I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon , and moved to San Francisco with my husband and dog in 2017. I started at UCSF Health in 2017 and joined the Women of UCSF Health as a founding member in 2018. I am now so proud to say I am co-chair of this wonderful group and I look forward to what we will accomplish this year. I love getting to know people here at UCSF, so please say, "Hi." if you see me in person.
What's an issue you think remains overlooked or under-addressed in terms of women in the professional world?
Advancement and Gender Stereotypes. The Double-Bind Dilemma* for Women in Leadership continues to be an issue, and I am actively trying to interrupt any bias I come across.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
You have a voice, and you need to advocate for yourself. One of my first major jobs out of college was for a small real estate investment group as an executive assistant. For over a year I wanted a raise but was too scared to bring it up to my male manager. I had not received a raise since I had been hired (4 years) and I had recently taken on another person’s entire job. I was so afraid to hear, “No” I wasn’t going to try at all. Truthfully, I didn’t have the strength or confidence to address my male manager. I think it’s important to remind all women that we have a voice and shouldn’t be afraid to ask for what we want/deserve.
How do you think the role of women in the workforce has changed throughout your career?
I’ve observed more women being hired into leadership roles, which is an encouraging step forward. While there’s still progress to be made, it’s inspiring to see greater representation of women at the highest levels of management.
*Read about the Double-Bind Dilemma here.