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Thinking about my dad today, so here's some advice he gave me when I was in college: don't learn how to make coffee.
(for context: I didn't start drinking coffee until I was in my late 20s, so I genuinely didn't know how to make it)
Neither of us knew what career I'd end up in, but he knew it was possible that, at some point, I'd be the only woman in the room.
He also knew that meant I'd likely be asked to do tasks my male coworkers weren't, like make the coffee.
He said, "Say you don't know how to make coffee. If they insist, make the worst pot they've ever had. They'll never ask you again."
He knew that, even if I got a seat at the table, I'd have to fight to keep it. He knew women are often encouraged to step back so that men can shine.
I'm lucky I had a father who encouraged my sister and I to work hard and be proud of our ambitions. He set a high bar for what I expect from myself and from the men in my life. My dad passed away on this day, his birthday, in 2012. If he were here now, I'd thank him.
Then I'd ask him to go make me a cup of coffee. He'd get a kick out of that :)
