Brother Called Me ‘Entry-Level Forever’ – Until He Saw My Fortune 500 CEO Interview

The Golden Son and the Entry-Level Sister

I sat quietly at the corner of Mom’s dining table cutting slices of her favorite chocolate cake while my brother Marcus held court as usual. His voice filled every inch of the room booming with the confidence of someone who’d just closed another real estate deal.

Marcus announced, swirling his wine glass “Another million dollar property this quarter.” “That’s seven figures in commission alone. Mom did you hear that? Seven figures!”.

Mom said, beaming at him from across the table “That’s wonderful sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”.

Marcus’s wife Jennifer leaned into him, her diamond bracelet catching the light. She said “He’s being modest. Tell them about the waterfront development deal.”.

Marcus waved his hand dismissively though his grin suggested he was dying to elaborate. He replied “Oh that. Let’s just say we’re looking at beachfront property in the Hamptons next summer. Maybe a place in Aspen for winter.”.

My sister Clare, sitting beside Marcus, jumped in. She said “Meanwhile some of us are still climbing the corporate ladder one rung at a time.”.

She shot a pointed look in my direction. She asked “Right Maya?”.

I continued slicing cake, measuring each piece with careful precision. I said “The ladder’s not so bad.”.

Marcus laughed, nearly spilling his wine. He said “The ladder! That’s rich Clare. She’s not even on a ladder. She’s been on the ground floor for what, five years now?”.

I corrected quietly, passing a plate to Dad “Six.”.

Marcus slapped the table. He said “Six years! Six years and still what, an administrative assistant? What do they call it now? Executive coordinator?”.

He made air quotes with his fingers. He continued “That’s just a fancy way of saying you still answer phones and schedule meetings.”.

Jennifer touched his arm, her voice dripping with false sympathy. She said “Marcus don’t be mean. Not everyone can be in sales. Someone has to do the support work.”.

Clare nodded enthusiastically. She said “Exactly. The economy needs people at all levels. There’s no shame in being support staff Maya honestly. I think it’s great that you’re so comfortable with your position.”.

I said, cutting another slice “I am comfortable.”.

Clare turned to the table and said “See? She’s happy. That’s what matters. Not everyone needs to be ambitious.”.

Dad cleared his throat. He asked “Maya works for a good company. That tech firm downtown right? What’s it called again?”.

I said “Meridian.”.

Marcus said immediately “Never heard of it. Is it one of those startups that’ll be gone in two years? Beza, I’ve got to tell you, job security is important. You’re not getting any younger. Twenty-nine and still entry level. That’s concerning.”.

Mom set down her fork. She said “Marcus has a point sweetheart. Have you thought about going back to school? Maybe getting an MBA like Clare did? That could help you move up.”.

I said “I’m fine where I am.”.

Jennifer leaned forward, her perfectly manicured nails tapping the table. She asked “But are you though? I mean what’s your salary if you don’t mind me asking? Because Marcus and I were just talking about how expensive everything is getting. We’re looking at private schools for the kids and the tuition alone…”.

I interrupted gently “Jennifer, I appreciate your concern, but I’m managing.”.

Marcus laughed again, that booming sound that had dominated family gatherings since we were children. He said “Managing! That’s one word for it. Mom remember when Maya graduated? She had all those big dreams. ‘I’m going to change the world’ she said. Remember that?”.

Mom said softly “I remember.”.

Marcus shook his head. He said “And now look. Six years later still fetching coffee and making copies. It’s sad really. All that potential just wasted.”.

Clare jumped back in. She said “It’s not wasted Marcus. Maya is contributing. Every company needs good administrative support. The executives couldn’t function without their assistance.”.

Marcus said “That’s exactly my point. She’s support. She’s not the one making decisions. She’s not the one in the boardroom. She’s the one outside the boardroom taking notes and ordering lunch.”.

I continued eating my cake, letting the conversation wash over me like waves on a shore. This wasn’t new; this had been every family gathering for the past six years.

Dad tried to redirect. He asked “How’s the apartment Maya? Still in that place in Brooklyn?”.

I confirmed “Still there.”.

Marcus snorted. He asked “Brooklyn? In that shoe box studio right? How big is it? 300 square feet? 400?”.

I said “400.”.

Marcus looked around the table as if inviting everyone to share in his disbelief. He said “400 square feet at 29 years old. Meanwhile Jennifer and I just closed on 4500 square feet in Westchester. Five bedrooms, four baths, two car garage. But hey, at least you’re close to the subway right?”.

Jennifer patted his hand. She said “Marcus stop. I’m sure Maya’s apartment is very cozy. Urban living has its advantages. You don’t need a car and there are all those trendy restaurants nearby that she can’t afford.”.

Marcus added “No offense Maya, but on an administrative salary in New York you’re probably eating ramen most nights.”.

I said “I eat well enough.”.

Clare sighed dramatically. She said “You know what frustrates me? Maya has always been smart. Really smart. She could have done something with that but she just settled. She took the first job offer she got and never looked beyond it.”.

Mom interjected, though her tone lacked conviction. She said “That’s not fair. Maya works hard.”.

Marcus said “Working hard and working smart are two different things. I work hard but I also work smart. That’s why I’m where I am. You’ve got to have ambition, drive, vision. You can’t just show up and expect success to fall into your lap.”.

I said quietly “I don’t expect anything to fall into my lap.”.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. He asked “Then what’s your plan? Seriously Maya, what’s the 5-year plan? The 10-year plan? Or are you just going to keep answering phones until you’re 40?”.

I set down my fork and met his eyes. I said “I have a plan.”.

Marcus grinned. He said “Oh this should be good. Let’s hear it. What’s the grand plan?”.

I said “I’m exactly where I need to be.”.

Clare laughed. She said “That’s not a plan Maya. That’s resignation. That’s giving up.”.

I said “I haven’t given up on anything.”.

Marcus muttered “Could have fooled me. Look, I’m not trying to be harsh. I’m your brother. I want to see you succeed but success requires action. It requires taking risks, putting yourself out there, networking. When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? When was the last time you went to a networking event?”.

I said “I network.”.