Real-World Alpha Females

Name: Lorraine Parrish

Age: 30

Location: Baltimore

Job: Real-estate investor

Hours at work per week: 60

Proudest alpha moment: I was one of only two women pursuing an industrial-engineering degree in college when I volunteered as a teaching assistant. The first class I taught was unruly and rude. The next morning, I didn't ask for the men's attention, I just started teaching. My confidence was evident, and I gained their respect.

Alpha mission statement: Aggressively pursuing financial and career objectives offers a major return on my investment of time. I make $1 million a year. I do not understand the helpless, c'est la vie attitude toward life.

The best part of being me: In a word, control. I've gained control over my life, my finances, and my destiny.

The downside: Envy harbored by others.

Plugged in: I always have my laptop, Treo 700, USB storage stick, pocket GPS for driving directions, and iPod with me.

My posse: The friends I have are mostly alphas. Whereas we feel comfortable talking about money and success, those are not enjoyable topics when talking with my less ambitious friends.

My relationship: I prefer alpha men, like my husband. We motivate and challenge each other to reach new heights.

The real me: I am usually the person to break the doldrums of indecision.

Theme song: "Ama Credi E Vai" ("Because We Believe") by Andrea Bocelli

Alison Schwartz

Age: 34

Location: New York City

Job: Producer, CBS News — The Early Show

Hours at work per week: 60

Early alpha inklings: In sixth grade I played Minnie Mouse in my elementary school play, and Mickey forgot his lines. So in front of everyone, I said, "Jon, you forgot your lines!"

Alpha motto: To do it all — wake up early, work out, give 110 percent to my job, rush out after work to get a manicure or run errands, meet friends for dinner. I try to be organized and disciplined.

Plugged in: I have four electronic devices on me at all times: cell phone, BlackBerry, iPod, digital camera.

My relationships: I need a man who can keep up with me. But I also like a guy who's a little tamer, because it usually brings me down a notch, which is a good thing! I get set up all the time.

Kids: I want to have children, but I love having a career, so I hope I'll be able to balance the two. I definitely worry about being able to have it all.

Best part about being me: I get to cover big stories at work, and I always meet interesting people in my personal life.

The downside: I always wonder if my single friends and I are single because we're into our careers, or if we're into our careers because we're single.

My posse: Among my friends, I'm the social coordinator. Need a tip on where to go to dinner? What bars to try? Who's having a party? I'll know.

The real me: Some people are taken aback by my energy!

Theme song: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.

Allison Cooper

Age: 25

Location: Boston

Job: I'm a full-time MBA student now; I used to be a management consultant.

Hours at work per week: About 67

Early alpha inklings: I was usually the youngest by 20 years and the only woman at client presentations. Once, a consultant told me he was impressed by how I "acted like I deserved to be there as much as the rest of them." It was meant as a compliment, but felt demeaning.

Best part of being me: I don't have to worry about what my life will be like. I know I'll be able to handle anything.

The downside: It's hard to relinquish power and delegate.

Plugged in: I always have my PDA, phone, iPod, and laptop.

My posse: I'm usually the one who decides what we do — I get annoyed after a few minutes of indecision.

Kids: My fiancé and I definitely want kids when the time is right, but it will take some adjusting. We're both ambitious.

The real me: It can be draining to always strive to be at the top of my game. But it's satisfying.

Theme song: "Fix You" by Coldplay

Beverly Wilks

Age: 35

Location: Montreal

Job: Director, Corporate Marketing & Communications for OZ Communications

Hours at work per week: 65 to 70

Early alpha inklings: Once I hand-delivered my résumé to the VP of the ad agency I wanted to work for. Then I sent her a holiday card, and she gave me a shot at being a media coordinator.

The best part of being me: The ability to get it all done and make it seem effortless.

The downside: A colleague once told me that I needed to "tone down that can-do attitude; it's making the rest of us look bad." Nice, eh?

Kids: Early on, I realized children did not fit into the picture.

The real me: I wear only pants to work, so when the men put their feet up on the desk during a strategy session, I can do the same.

Theme song: "Survivor" by Destiny's Child

Erica Van Ross

Age: 30

Location: St. Louis

Job: Television reporter, KMOV-TV

Hours at work per week: 45

Early alpha inklings: In my 20s, I had to watch a corporate video that, frankly, wasn't very good. But it was produced by a powerful person in the company. I was the only one to say it needed changes. My colleagues were horrified, but the bigwig appreciated my honesty — and changed the video.

Alpha instincts: I had to leave in the middle of a date once to report on extreme flooding in the area.

Best part of being me: Independence. I'm a strong woman who likes being able to do things on my own.

The downside: Hands down, dating! I want a guy who takes pride in his career, but how he treats me and his sense of humor are more important.

Relationship history: Men date me because they think it's interesting that I'm on TV, or they try to convince me that they're "good enough."

Kids: It's difficult to embrace the idea, so I push it out of my head so I won't be too devastated if it doesn't happen.

Plugged in: I carry a work-issued pager, a personal cell phone, and a work cell.

My posse: It's challenging with my beta friends, watching them go through situations where just a little more alpha would help.

Moments of doubt: Sometimes, when I feel pressured, I wish I were more of a backseat passenger.

The real me: I'm just a nice person who knows what she wants out of life and has to get it.

Theme song: "Keep on Going" by Vivian Green