The Networking Trip -- Over Zoom

On November 13th, TWN-UMN's trip coordinator Carolyn Christofferson held the long-awaited networking event she had been planning for weeks. Usually, this event would take place downtown and in person, but the pandemic has forced everyone to shift gears and get creative. But, hosting the event over Zoom was actually a huge benefit, because we were able to have incredible women from all across the country as speakers.

There were six companies represented: Amazon, Bain and Company, Microsoft, Verizon, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Medtronic. Women from each of the companies joined us for hour-long slots to answer our questions in a panel format and give us insight into how they tackled the corporate world as women. I attended the Amazon, Microsoft, and Verizon meetings, and all of the women were so inspiring, kind, intelligent, and funny. They shared anecdotes about being underestimated as women but learning how to advocate for themselves, how they found their strengths, and how valuable and vital self-confidence is. They were also so supportive of each other and so complimentary of each other's skills and strengths; it truly reflected The Women's Network's belief in collaboration over competition and it really did warm my heart. The most memorable piece of advice I heard was to always leave the door open behind you for the next woman. Bring along someone new to events. Share the things you've learned from your mentors. Even if you feel like you're inexperienced and don't know what you're doing, you know more than you think and that could help another woman emerging in the workforce.

Especially as college-aged women, it's hard to imagine feeling confident and comfortable in the corporate world in just a few short years. As young women, we've gotten used to being overlooked and not being taken seriously. But, these incredible and accomplished women assured us that we already have everything it takes to be successful and that it's okay and even necessary to advocate for yourself and the treatment you deserve.

image source:

https://www.meetingsnet.com/professional-development/association-women-events-disbands