Career Talks with Katie Swillinger
Are you navigating a career transition? Unsure how to approach disclosure or find truly accessible employers? Career Talk: Journeys with a Splash of Lime is your resource. This series spotlights leaders across the Lime Connect Network to provide tangible, actionable guidance rooted in our career framework.
Our next conversation is with Katie Swillinger, a longtime leader at Google and a former Lime Connect scholarship recipient. As someone with a visual impairment who successfully navigated a pivot from finance to the tech industry, Katie shares invaluable advice on mastering self-advocacy, strategic networking, and turning career setbacks into intentional opportunities.
Let’s Talk About…Networking and Mentorship
What advice would you give your younger self about launching your career?
Something I wish maybe I had done differently was learning advocacy for yourself. I did not disclose. I did not share much about my situation and tried to find my own solutions. As I built relationships and got comfortable with people, I was then able to advocate and request certain accommodations.
Remembering that self-advocacy and practicing that is key. It’s not just necessarily asking for accommodations, but also sharing if I could get X, Y, and Z, I think I could execute on this faster. That’s something you sort of finesse and learn just as you have experiences in life.
What rejection or career detour taught you the most?
I was laid off from my first job when the market crashed in 2008/2009. That was actually a great pivot for me. It took them sort of kicking me out for me to be like, okay, this is my moment to evaluate the kind of place I want to work next in an industry I would be interested in.
I decided that I wanted to be with a company that cares a lot about people with disabilities. I figured if a company was paying to be a part of Lime Connect, they had an interest in people with disabilities. They understood the value that people with disabilities brought to the table. I went to Susan Lang and said I want to interview with your partners. She was able to introduce me to both Google and Target, and I ended up here at Google 15 years ago.
What is the most effective way to find a mentor?
Many of these companies you will join have mentorship programs you can sign up for. I haven’t found that to be as helpful as kind of doing your own networking. Oftentimes we look to folks more senior than us. One of my greatest mentors and relationships I value the most is from one of my peers. Don’t be close-minded to those who are around you and at your same level. Their perspectives, the way they look at things—somebody that you respect doesn’t have to be senior to you.
You can simply ask for a regular sync. For example, I told a woman I was working with, “I like your style. I like who you are. Can I get on your would you mind if I put a regular sync for us every couple of months? I’d really appreciate a mentorship relationship with you.” She said, “Absolutely.”
How has your approach to disclosure changed as your career has progressed?
I don’t lead with it. It’s on my resume that I’m a board member of Lime and that I do this work, so it’s not hidden. I usually, as I get in the process, make sure that the recruiter I’m working with has an idea, because it’s helpful to have an advocate in that recruiter.
I am a fan of slipping it in there at some point. A lot of people will say, “What brought you to New York?” and that’s kind of my intro. I actually don’t see well, so I can’t drive, and New York City is really an ideal place for me to be. You kind of practice and figure out, okay, what’s my moment? What’s that question that comes up as we make small talk that allows me to naturally bring it into the conversation?