3 Years At L'Oreal USA: It's A Journey Not A Race
L’Oréal is a company that will not only challenge you but demand excellence from you.
Naturally I am very ambitious and hard on myself about my potential. L’Oréal is a company that will not only challenge you but demand excellence from you. July 2020 marked my third year as a full-time employee at L’Oréal USA. At L’Oréal when you go from intern to full-timer you are called a “L’Oréal Baby”. Well . . . this L’Oréal baby is truly blossoming. To date I have worked on and helped launch over 100+ product across different categories for the company. Though I started my career in hair color, I have now transitioned into the newly developed cleansing and makeup removal development team. I chose to do so as a way to curate my own rotational experience.
In the 3 years I’ve been here, I have learned quite a lot about myself and what it takes to thrive in a corporate setting. I have been a part of game changing discussions and initiatives that always make me question what the next frontier will be.
As I reflect on my journey thus far, I can honestly say that there are 5 GEMS on how I’ve been able to navigate
SELF ADVOCATE
Advocating for YOU will get you so much further than waiting for someone else to do it on your behalf. I can’t say when it happened for me but along my journey, I started to voice my thoughts and concerns a lot more. I found that in doing so, I felt a sense of empowerment and confidence that doesn’t just happen overnight. Advocating for YOU may seem uncomfortable or that you are being “too bold” but I can honestly say you must be your loudest cheerleader. I advocated for myself in a multitude of ways that have helped my development.
I am naturally a busy body. I’m a chemist, traveler, blogger, mentor, real estate agent, resume guru (a lot I know lol). I like to be mentally stimulated. After year 2 of my time on the hair color team I communicated to my management that I would not only like to lead a project from inception to completion, but that I would also like to be put on more challenging projects. I was excelling at the scope of projects I was given but I had an insatiable thirst for more. Advocating for myself and putting forth my wins allowed my management to see that not only did I deserve to lead a project; but that I could take on the challenge. Graciously I was given a stretch assignment to develop a 30-line shade range for a brand that was recently acquired. This project was considered to be within the scope of a chemist that was more senior than me. I lead the charge on problem-solving multiple issues that arose with the base technology we were using. I was on calls with the brand founder, manufacturing team, and development personnel where I was truly managing this project. I was finally spearheading a challenging project where I could outline the execution and mitigate risks. The most rewarding part was being able to share my expertise with new members on the team and guide their understanding of hair color technologies. I can honestly say that it was one of the most CHALLENGING yet rewarding projects I’ve completed to date. I was able to develop a very close relationship with the founder of the brand and to this day I get nothing but positive feedback on that project. Had I never advocated for myself I would not have been given the independence and room to execute that project the way that I did.
My belief in myself allowed me to forcibly take ownership of my career development and prove to my management team that I could handle more. Speaking up for what works and doesn’t work for you are equally important. You have to be the main person rooting for you because you know yourself the best.
TAKE RISKS
As a type A super planner, I am actually very risk adverse. Taking risks is quite the opposite of what makes me comfortable. I have to always think 10 steps ahead for every step I take. I rely heavily on logic and reason when it comes to my decision-making. But one thing that has definitely worked in my favor thus far was betting on me. Throughout the time I have been in this industry, most of my experience was based on hair and hair color applications. The project I even worked on as an intern was rooted on minimizing hair damage during the hair bleaching process. Earlier this year I took a big risk. I applied to an internal opening within the newly developed skin cleansing team.
I took the risk because I have a personal (slightly obsessive) interest in skin care. I am a product junkie who adores my 7-step skin care routine both in the morning and at night. It’s not that I didn’t color my hair, but I personally felt more connected to skin products. Prior to this I didn’t have any formulation experience in the skin category. Of course, I had doubts on whether I would be a good fit on the team or if I would be able to understand concepts as well as I did in hair color. I can say that 7 months after my transition, I am KILLING it on the cleansing and makeup removal team. I am learning about so many product types and formula nuances; that it feels as though I am on an accelerated learning path. Though in theory I studied surfactant chemistry and other product types in grad school, I took the risk and betted on me when it came to my career.
It is so easy to be comfortable within the areas that we know, that we seldom seek an alternative. I took a huge risk not only switching teams but working on a completely new product category. The added value is that I have strategically chosen to diversify my skills. At the time I switched L’Oréal did not offer a rotational program. So . . . I decided to create my own. For me it is a value add being able to have worked across multiple product categories for different market segments. The risk I took will only make me a stronger product formulator in the long run.
NETWORK ACROSS NOT JUST UP
Traditional networking suggest you should always try to meet and introduce yourself to the most senior person in the room. I’ve found so much value and more opportunities networking across/horizontally than always aiming to network upwards. Since my early days with the company I made it a mission to meet with other chemists and group leaders especially in different categories. In doing so I’ve built a network of people that I can rely on for career guidance, product suggestions, and a helping hand if I need it.
In 2 cases when I networked across, I ended working directly under said person as the company restructured teams. Having pre-established a relationship when they became my manager, we side stepped that awkward getting to know you phase. As I already made solid connections with them, they were more eager and excited to have me on their teams. More specifically, my current manager was actually a year ahead of me in my graduate program. When a role was opening up on her team, she vouched for me from knowing my work ethic in grad school. Had I not networked across; I can honestly say I wouldn’t be in the role that I’m in today. She saw how hard I worked and my ability to retain concepts & that’s what she wanted on her team.
While God plays an undeniably significant role in my life, I know and affirm that everything happens for a reason. I am proud of the network I have built so far and see it as a skill that I should continue to develop. Viewing your colleagues that work side by side you as not only a support system but just as influential members of your network is key for your growth.
TO THY OWNSELF BE TRUE
This is one of my favorite quotes of all time but in terms of my career, I have to admit that it also rings true. Being true to ME has always been a benefit. As a Black woman I am not always accepted into every room I walk in nor will I always be treated with respect. At L’Oréal I am free to be ME. I work for a company that celebrates creativity and diversity. Being able to come to work as an energetic, bubbly, #girlynerd puts me at ease. I can wear my hair curly today and have extensions down my back next week whereas both are equally celebrated. I have the ability to speak up and feel like people are actually listening to me.
I find myself speaking up for my community more and more these days as I know if I don’t speak for us no one will. If I’m in meetings discussing products and do not mention how the language could be insensitive to us, who will? If I don’t provide feedback about a product leaving white residue on my face, who will? I speak up for me and us because I am in rooms that we previously were not allowed to be in. Knowing that I live my ancestors’ wildest dreams gives me so much strength on my worst days. I can also say that having an employee resource group like the Women of Color (WOC) Think Tank adds to the comfort I feel at work. The WOC Think Tank is comprised of women of color from various parts of the company. We have senior leaders, brand managers, operation leaders and so many more that add intangible value and resources to the group. Being surrounded by such strong women has undeniably helped me find my voice and confidence.
Pay it Forward
When I was first interested in this industry, I was not as LinkedIn or Google savvy to know how I could actually find cosmetic chemists in the field. I make it a mission and integral part of my development to pay it forward. By paying it forward I take time to meet with interns, fellows, and students who are interested in this industry. In doing so not only do I build my network, but I also get to share my perspective with so many individuals across the country. I pride myself on being a resource for those interested in the field as I know what is was like for me when I didn’t have a mentor.
My Rutgers MBS Personal Care Testimonial
More specifically, I welcome students of color in particular because as we continue our education there are less and less people that look like us in both academia and the professional sciences. As a Black cosmetic chemist, I feel as though I owe it to the generation coming after me to be a wealth of knowledge for them. I partner a lot with my alma mater Rutgers to have 1:1s with students and speak on panels about both my academic journey and career. While I haven’t made it to the top yet, paying it forward now holds so much value. Imagine meeting someone in your dream job that is only 3 years older than you. IF SHE CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT. Seeing her success makes it is easier to imagine it for yourself and ultimately strive to be in that role. I want young Black women to look at me with my lab coat and envision themselves in my shoes.
I wasn’t someone who had a plethora of resources growing up. I didn’t have a mentor at all until I gradated college. All I had was a vision and a thirst to develop cosmetic products. That’s how I got here.
I’m always transparent that L’Oréal is my first job out of college. Being a “L’Oréal Baby” is a designation I hold dear to my heart. Throughout my time here, I can say passion fuels everything. People respect you more when they see your passion and how well you can articulate your vision.
I implore you to ask yourself the following questions & truly reflect on what your career development looks like.
What is your strategy to ensure you are developing yourself?
What is important to you now vs. what you need to be your best self later in life?
How will you deliver impact and be up for the challenge?
Are you willing to bet on you?