In this world of entrepreneuresses and self-made boss ladies, it is hard for conventional professionals to find their own voice. Wonderful women all over the world are building their empires, and it is no easy feat for the female corporate employee to find glamour and purpose amid the rat race. Being your own boss is awe inspiring, but lest we forget our comrades in the trenches that continue to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings, paving the way forward for fellow womankind.

Today, women have earned their places in C-suites. They did not necessarily start these companies but against all odds, they are now running these powerhouses. Sadly, the 21^st century has yet to fulfill its promise of a meritocracy-based career ladder. Women are passed up for promotions, paid less than their male peers and above all are subject to fierce competition by their own kind. This is the ugly face of corporate warfare.

Navigating the institutional minefield for the better part of a decade would not have been possible without my own perseverance in the face of antagonism. And if I am being completely honest, my decision to work in finance was already a cruel and unusual method of punishing myself for failing a pop-quiz in my 6^th grade math class!

I have had the great fortune, and occasionally misfortune, to work with truly formidable women. Each in their own right formed an integral part of my own development, personal and professional. I still continue to learn, thanks to them, but here are some thoughts on how to survive the hamster wheel:

1. Speak your mind. Always. No exceptions allowed. Your opinion matters, as long as you are willing to afford others the same curtesy and listen in turn.

2. Talk yourself up. Nobody will do it for you. You may have a supportive boss, but it is no one’s responsibility but your own to make your worth known.

3. Take credit for your work. Do not let this get in the way of being a team player, but you are no Cyrano de Bergerac feeding someone else's ego at your own expense.

4. Ask for a promotion. Statistically, women are less likely than men to broach the subject of a promotion or pay increases with their bosses. If you're going above and beyond, chances are you have every right to ask for that new salary and title bump.

5. Dress the part. You will come across people at work that will assume you have too much time on your hands. But, if you look good, you will probably feel good. And if they underestimate you in the process, even better.

6. Leave the office on time. There will be periods when you have pressing deadlines. Save the overtime and weekend work for those special occasions. The company will not shut down and your to-do list will still be there tomorrow.

7. Enjoy work trips. They are the best of times; they are the worst of times. Learn to relish the alone time, eat at a restaurant solo or seek solace in temporary pace of your very own.

8. Acknowledge your successes. As a woman, you can be excruciatingly hard on yourself. Recognize when you did something spectacular at work, even if it is only getting the right people to sit at the same negotiating table from time to time (try juggling 50 different calendars simultaneously and you will understand what I mean!).

9. Take every opportunity to learn. The best part about working in a corporate is the abundance of resources at your fingertips: trainings, international exposure and knowledge. Lean into these experiences wholeheartedly.

In the end, you should not beat yourself up for joining the ranks of a corporatocratic institution. Know that your contribution counts every bit as much as that hustling girlfriend of yours. So, go on, take pride in being a corporate badass!