Lauren shares her journey through the job market, highlighting the power of self-advocacy and confident negotiation. After spending two years at a healthcare think tank in Washington, D.C., she faced rejection from several journalism opportunities but remained committed to growing in her role. Unexpectedly, an old acquaintance — someone who had once purchased a Porsche Cayenne in cash after driving a beat-up Camry for years — offered her a new job opportunity.
When asked about her salary expectations, Lauren made a bold move: she asked to double her current salary, fully expecting the request to be too high. To her surprise, the offer was accepted without hesitation — a powerful reminder of the importance of knowing your worth and not being afraid to ask for it.
Lauren’s story emphasizes key lessons for job seekers:
- Do your market research
- Understand your value, and
- Confidently advocate for the salary you deserve — even if it feels like a stretch.
By pushing past self-doubt and aiming high, she turned a career transition into a transformative step toward greater financial and professional success.
Lauren Pearson is the founding partner and Managing Director of Somerset Advisory, an independent wealth management firm built to serve the complex needs of multigenerational families, entrepreneurs, and executives.