Advocating for yourself can be challenging, especially early in your career, but it's crucial for your professional growth and long-term success. In this talk, We will provide practical advice on becoming your own self-advocate by taking charge of your 1-on-1s with your boss. You'll learn how to confidently broach sensitive topics such as promotions, salary increases, and career guidance and how to effectively prepare for these meetings. I will share insights on what materials to have on hand, how to structure the conversation, and how to navigate common challenges that may arise. Participants will walk away with the following skillsets: · How to lay the groundwork to have a good relationship with their manager even before they join the company/team · How (and when) to plant the seeds to initiate these conversations · How to talk so your manager becomes a partner who invests in your career · How to use data to back up your points · When you should bring supporting material (such as market salary reports, quarterly performance summaries and highlights, etc.) to the meeting and how to create these artifacts. Whether you're a new employee or an experienced professional, this session will help you build stronger, more productive relationships with your managers and colleagues. Come prepared to engage in a dialogue and walk away with actionable strategies to apply in your own workplace.