At a time when men dominated the workplace, Karen Timian ’81 was fighting for a chance to be treated equally. She started as an inventory clerk, working her way through promotions that led her to a supervisory role, but without a degree she reached a dead end.
Not willing to settle, Timian approached her boss about attending a private college. When her request was denied by the human resources department, she pushed back, and wound up attending Alverno’s Weekend College — a decision that changed the course of her life. She eventually became CEO of a small company, and later the global IT finance controller for a much larger worldwide corporation, and she credits her time at Alverno with her success.
What were the biggest challenges you faced early in your career?
The biggest challenge was being stuck in dead end jobs because you’re female. It was a whole lot different then. It was really difficult for women to get ahead, and there was a lack of support professionally. My company paid for male employees to go to MSOE. I read about weekend college in the newspaper, and I decided I wanted to go to Alverno. I went to the human resources department, and they said they wouldn’t reimburse me for the tuition. I challenged them on it. My heart was pounding like crazy, but I said, “You pay for the men’s degrees,” and they backed down. It was my first success.
What motivated you to pursue a degree?
I couldn’t get any significant pay increases, and I couldn’t advance in my career. Everyone came to me with questions. People told me I should be running the department because I knew everything, but without a degree I was stuck.
What do you remember about Weekend College?
It was wonderful. We had to do things in groups and we made fast friends. There were different types of people. Women were coming from all over Wisconsin, and several had very long drives. These were people who wanted to learn. That was the one big difference. The faculty enjoyed teaching because we enjoyed learning.
How did your degree prepare you for leadership?
I learned to use my own voice and not be afraid to use it. At that time, women tended to let men dominate the conversation. When I was surrounded by all women, I learned to speak up. For me, that carried naturally into meetings at work, and I was able to stand my ground with the men. I learned my own strength.
What achievement makes you most proud?
I think graduating with honors. I came from a family of nine children, and I was the first to get a degree, and the first girl. Two of my older sisters went to college later.
If you could go back to your first day at Alverno, what would you tell yourself?
You’re opening up a whole new world for yourself. You’ll meet people from different walks of life and learn how to work with everyone, even people you find difficult. Sometimes you’ll realize you were wrong, and it’s humbling and a good learning experience.
What do you hope younger women take from your story?
I hope they accept the challenges and they don’t settle for mediocrity, because so many do. They need to recognize the superlative in themselves. So many think “I’m just a girl” and don’t have any confidence. Alverno helps with that and expands their brains and goals.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
If I hadn’t gone to Alverno, I don’t know where I’d be. I might have just settled for less. My husband went back to college at Cardinal Stritch after I did, and we greatly improved our lives. It changed us both and opened doors we had never even considered. It’s a life well lived and I thank Alverno for that.
