L'Oreal Executive Encourages Girls To Step Outside Their Comfort Zone

It’s said that the magic happens outside of your comfort zone, and for Rebecca Caruso, the Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and External Relations at L'Oreal, that has made all the difference in her career. After college she started as a newspaper reporter, eventually pivoted to public relations and ended up taking roles at several Fortune 500 companies.

Earlier in October, Ellevate Network hosted a day of girls’ empowerment in New York City with Strawberry Shortcake, L’Oreal USA and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. It was a day of fireside chats where Girl Scouts posed questions to leading professional women about the state of girls today and in the future.

During her chat with the Girl Scouts, Rebecca talked about what’s made a difference in her career and the advice she would give her younger self.

A Factor That Contributed To Her Success

Rebecca said that one of the biggest contributions to her success was that it never occurred to her that she wouldn’t succeed.

Her career took assorted twists and turns, but along the way she was always willing to push herself out of her comfort zone. And that’s what made the difference when she ultimately went on to work for large companies such as the McDonald’s Corporation, Toys ‘R’ Us, and eventually L’Oreal.

One Way To Define Success

Rebecca said that for her, success is doing what you love and challenging yourself to do things that you’re not quite sure of. Even if you fail, you learn something.

She said that even when you're younger, most people have something that they know that they’re good at. She told the girls not to let people tell you that you aren’t. Pursue your passions above all.

What Makes Millennial Women Unique

Rebecca said that she remembered that when she came out of school, it was normal to just take a job and then move on. You were expected to pay your dues and be on call 24/7.

She's noticed that Millennial women are willing to work hard, but they know that life is about more than a nine to five job. They want to be good at their jobs but they also want to do good in the world. She finds that inspiring and a great way to approach life.

Advice She Would Give Her Younger Self

Rebecca said she would tell herself not to be so careful about everything. She’s known so many people in the work world who pushed the envelope just a little and ended up being successful. She would tell herself to give more things a shot.

She encouraged young women not to go crazy, but they should challenge themselves and do things that people say can’t be done. If you have a great idea for something and you think you can make it work, give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen?