From the time I was a young girl I can remember my father polishing his shoes every night so they would be shiny and clean for his next work day. My father worked in the New York City corporate jungle of starched shirts and tailored suits. He always looked liked a consummate professional and taught me that first impressions are lasting.

Over the years in my experience with employer relations and collegiate recruiting, I have been exposed to a myriad of work environments across the nation. Some sectors, like big law and corporate business, still honor the suit and high polished shoes for men and women. Others are more casual and have adopted a trendier environment that values the current fashion trends. It’s your responsibility to blend into the culture and wardrobe expectations of your respective place of work. You want to distinguish yourself by your accomplishments – not your clothing!

Learn a valuable lesson from my Dad – your shoes tell a lot about how other people perceive you. Are they scuffed with run down soles or polished and neat? Women have a unique challenge about whether or not to wear heels on the job. I must be distantly related to Imelda Marcos because I love shoes. But, I have discovered that I also need to be mobile and comfortable to be successful in my job environment. I save my super high heels for after work occasions and wear stylish but walk-able shoes to work.

I have seen many women tottering in stilettos en route to a job interview. What happens when your future boss asks you to take a tour of the company and your face long distance walking in those wicked high heels! Bottom line, be prepared for any occasion and plan appropriately. You want to be steady on your feet so better to wear a lower heel for the interview.

I’m happy to report that the shoe gods are shining on women today because there are many brands that have married comfort with style. I have found some professional and attractive heels that pass the 10 hour on-my-feet test in these brands: Sofft, Clarks, Cole Haan and Liz Claiborne, and I know there are many more. In fact, Jessica and Emily Leung, founders of Hey Lady, Shoes! have designed ergonomic wedding and special occasion heels that are truly gorgeous. Check out their career transition piece archived on the stories tab. Regardless of the brand, make sure your shoes are neat, polished, and well fitted. This will save your posture, your back, and your professional reputation. Put your best foot forward and think wisely about choosing the right shoes for your work environment.

Ana Talukder Simpson was raised in an East Indian household where straight A’s were demanded, perfect SAT scores were expected, and an Ivy League education was the ONLY real education.  This all came from a place of love, but her parents really focused on academic greatness and equated it to success. She had always been drawn to and excelled in the creative arts, but lacked the joy that was supposed to be found in studying molecule arrangements or solving a proof.  Ana knew early on that she was not going to become the Doctor or Engineer that her parents had hoped for and decided that law school was in her future, which allowed her to major in Political Science and Philosophy and still use those skills for a realistic career.  Read Full Story