For my next profile of women who rule, it is my privilege of introduce a very dear friend who I have known for 11 years, Emily Day.

Emily grew up in Melbourne, Victoria and we were introduced via her friend group of strong, vibrant and intelligent women. One of whom I happen to be fortunate enough to be married to.

From the first time we met, Emily always struck me as an effortless communicator with a writing style that mere mortals such as myself only wished we had. Fortunately for us, she chose a career in communications and to this day continues to use her powers for good.

Emily Day graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications). She got her first job in journalism as a subeditor in Melbourne and is currently production editor for several national magazines including Better Homes & Gardens, Home Beautiful, Choice Computer Magazines and Diabetic Living. In late 2015 she started an independent craft beer magazine called Froth which combines her love of craft beer and journalism!

I asked Emily to answer our ten questions that we present to our intrepid pioneering women. So without further ado, some real talk from my friend Emily Day on how she forged her path.

1) How long have you been in your profession?

Ten years, all at the same company! Not very millennial of me. I think I’m Gen Y though, on the cusp of Gen X, and mentally stuck in the 1930s.

2) What made you choose a career in your profession?

I love telling stories and being nosy and as a journalist you get to do this. I also love words and spelling and puns. I’m basically unhireable in any other profession.

3) Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?

Hmmm good question. I love Annie Leibovitz, I saw an exhibition of hers when I was young and loved the way she told the story of the person so succinctly through photographs. I got really into photography for a few years, but words will always be my favourite medium. I love ABC journalists Leigh Sales, Annabel Crabb, Sally Sara, Julia Baird – women who have earned their place at the top of the profession and seem to be fearless when tackling politicians with the big questions. My other big inspirations are my parents, who never fail to stand up for what they believe is right.

4) Have there been any incidents in your professional life where you couldn’t believe what had been said or done to either yourself or a colleague?

Ha yes, so many. My workplace is very supportive of women but you still have the odd instance where you come across a dinosaur. A pregnant colleague was talking about her upcoming maternity leave and our boss at the time made a joke about “This is why we don’t hire women.” I think there are still remnants of my jaw on the ground where it hit the floor.

5) In your experience has the discrimination against women been overt and/or commonplace?

I think it is often unconscious – even men who are very lovely and modern still like hiring and promoting people that look like them, ie other men. I’ve had to point out once that a conference that my company was a part of had about 99% male speakers, and when an awards judging panel was all-male, surprise surprise, all the award-winners were male too! Stuff like that that men don’t notice, but if you are looking out for it, it’s a common pattern that you just have to point out or it won’t change. In the beer industry, it’s often assumed that women don’t know anything about beer, which is annoying, but several decades of beer marketing has defined it as a men’s drink, which I am trying to change with Froth!

6) Have you ever felt that there was a pressure to behave more “like a man” in your professional life? For example, turning off your emotions or any other qualities that might be perceived as “too feminine” to lead or perform your role. 

I think in my industry (journalism) it’s ok to have feelings, but I imagine that in lots of other industries this is the case. In terms of my beer magazine, it’s very male-dominated so sometimes I feel a bit silly using subjective words, like how a beer makes me feel, and probably have trained myself out of that in order to be taken seriously.

7) What drives you every day?

A desire to do a good job and make people happy. And make money so I can feed my dog.

8 ) How important do you feel proper work/life balance is and do you feel women who want to reach leadership positions are asked to sacrifice too much? 

I think work/life balance is super important. I think the issue with women in leadership positions is people ask either “Who is looking after your children?”,  or if they don’t have children, “Why don’t you have children?” No-one gives a shit if a male CEO or prime minister had kids.

9) To date, what has been the point or event in your career that you are most proud of?

Winning the Headline of the Year award at my company at both state and national levels. Puns give me life.

10) What advice would you give to women who aspire to be in leadership positions?

Call men out, in a firm but polite way, about everyday sexism such as a lack of female representation at higher levels, or being shunted into less serious roles. Keep your eye on the prize but don’t feel like you have to emulate “masculine” behaviour if that’s not your thing. There are many ways of being a leader!