Tess Quinlan’s Game Plan for Success
She shoots, she scores! WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich sat down with Tess Quinlan—Content Planning Lead for the NBA—to discuss her career journey, mentorship, and the importance of advocacy. As a valuable team player, Tess has a wealth of knowledge to share with us all. Here are some key plays in her game plan for success, which you can learn more about in episode 72 of the WomenHeard podcast.
YOUR CIRCLE
Work-life balance looks different for everyone. It’s important to keep people in your circle who are empathetic to the demands of your job; the best supporters are those that share similar schedules and calendar hiccups, Quinlan says. It’s equally important to surround yourself with people who encourage you to indulge in “life moments” by lending a helping hand in your place while you’re out of office.
And it’s not just the people in your everyday circle at the office or home. Quinlan, like many other women, finds the sisterhood at NYWICI to be invaluable for feeling seen, heard, and understood throughout her career. From receiving a NYWICI scholarship to starring as a guest on our podcast, Quinlan is a true testament to the incredible opportunities that transpire over time.
YOUR SKILLS
Imposter syndrome is inevitable—just don’t let it stop you from trusting your skills and
accomplishments. Quinlan recognizes that luck plays a role in everyone’s career, but says we should always remind ourselves that “You didn’t just get lucky. You had to work to get here.” So, keep working!
She also suggests building your knowledge whenever possible. “Always learn the other thing,” Quinlan says. “It doesn’t hurt to have an extra skillset” because you never know when luck will guide you to your next career move. Be willing to advocate for yourself every step of the way; the worst someone can do is say no.
YOUR FUTURE
You should find, build, and maintain relationships with mentors throughout your career, Quinlan says. Not sure how to do that? She’s got some tips. To start, never go into a connection cold; the best case scenario is for a mutual connection to introduce you to your person of interest (POI). If that’s not possible, start by googling your POI’s background to effectively introduce yourself and your mutual interests. If they’re willing to set aside time to speak with you, be prepared with topics to discuss. Most importantly, let the relationship flourish organically. With hard work (and a little bit of luck), you might discover a mentor or your next incredible opportunity. And remember: The best mentors are the ones who will advocate on your behalf at tables you’re not even close to sitting at by yourself.
Thanks to Tess Quinlan for being part of the podcast! To listen to all the episodes of WomenHeard, visit nywici.org/podcast.
