She may have been a homemaker, active in the community, done volunteer work, raised a family, helped her husband manage a business, and now wants to pursue her own career.
Or she may suddenly find herself divorced or widowed. Too often this accomplished individual comes into the workplace with low self-esteem, unaware of the many talents she possesses that are valued in the corporate world. Homemakers often fail to recognize the many salable skills (including interpersonal skills) they have acquired and practiced over the years. These are the talents that frequently spell success in business. They include raising children, administering family affairs, solving problems, handling the family's finances, doing volunteer work and other extracurricular activities, and helping their husbands in business or running a small business of their own.
Vera Burger is a prime example of a woman whose many and varied volunteer activities served as springboard to a business career. Burger, now in her early sixties, had to be coaxed into the real estate business. Today she owns and operates Vera Burger Realtors agency in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
She and her 20-person staff do business in the Springfield area and outlying districts.
Burger, a trim soft-spoken woman, mother of four (and grandmother of four), came to Longmeadow via Czechoslovakia, where she was born; London, where she graduated from a Church of England prep school and subsequently majored in economics and business at the City of London College; and then Toronto, Canada, where she took courses in personnel administration and psychology at the Ryerson Institute of Technology.
But it was in London that she began the volunteer work that was to prove so valuable later on. As a student there, she became active in the Young People’s Christian Student Association. Later she became president of the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association). She was also active in her church, the United Way, the Red Cross, and other organizations. When she moved to Toronto, she continued her activities in the YWCA.
In 1959 Burger and her family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where she became active in the local YWCA. One of the programs she is proud to have started is PAGE (Pregnant Adolescent Girls Education), a marketing program that gave young pregnant women an opportunity to continue their educations instead of being expelled, as they were in the 1960s. "We had to storm the citadel," says Burger, "to prove to the city the school program would save money and keep the pregnant women off the welfare rolls. That program is still going."
The PAGE program was also responsible for Burger moving into real estate. She had given a talk at the Rotary Club in Springfield in exchange for a $1,000 donation for PAGE. Later the president of the Rotary Club, and a realtor, invited Burger to his office and suggested that she consider going into the real estate profession, and in two or three years open her own business. "That was like someone suggesting that I go to the moon," says Burger.
"This old gentleman had a small real estate agency and was a true philanthropist," she says. "I didn't want to do anything about it but he called me and persevered, and talked to my husband. With my husband's encouragement I decided to take the real estate course, even though I wasn't that excited about it. 1 never liked selling. But fate wanted me to do it so 1 worked for him for two years. When he retired and went to Arizona, I embarked on my own company. If it wasn't for the support of my husband I never would have done it. I've never regretted it."
Recently Burger celebrated 20 years in the business. "It was a true blessing," she says, "because in 1978 my husband ended his career due to health problems, so it was vital for me to be in the job market, earning enough money to help educate my children."
Burger is active in her realtor association; she was elected Realtor of the Year in 1982 and president in 1983. She also serves on two national committees. "I learned to be flexible and happy," says Burger. "I'm happy to have had the opportunities I've had and grateful for some of my accomplishments. It's important to like yourself, to have confidence in a plan that you outline for yourself. The fifties are extremely important years and if you are fortunate enough to enjoy good health and energy, then it is incumbent upon you to remain active."
Dr. Martha Turnage, vice-president for university relations at Ohio University, points out that one of the mistakes women make is to expect more than they should as widows or divorcees. For example, they don't inherit the social position that they enjoyed as part of a couple; it may have been due to the husband's status in the community as a business and professional leader. Many times wives of prominent men can't understand why they are not invited to functions. They expect to be accorded the same kind of preferential treatment their husbands received. When they start looking for jobs they discover they must get along without any help.
These are the realities job-hunting women face when they return to the workplace. As one of these women you have many talents to offer would-be employers, but you must be able to articulate your skills and convince an employer that you will be an asset to the company.
When you make up your mind what you want to do, go for it with confidence; look the interviewer in the eye and tell her or him the many things you've done and what you can do to help the company. A positive attitude will go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals. You might also consider temporary employment services to get started. This will give you the opportunity to work with different companies and help you decide which career path is right for you.
