Even on a cloudy day, the energy shone bright in the Performing Arts Center as conversation flowed across the open room. This past weekend, Women in Business invited all Cal Poly students to the club’s largest event of Winter Quarter. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the networking event ran with speakers, workshops, photos and more until panels wrapped up around 3:00 p.m.
I was fortunate enough to set aside a few hours of my day to attend the conference for the first time. What I wasn’t expecting was to be met with an abundance of newfound rewards. I met a whole lot of female leaders that gave me a whole lot of inspiration.
It wasn’t long ago that I thought I would be avoiding events like this.
Only a year ago, I was struggling to break the cycle of freshman FOMO in which I prioritized my social life over my academic aspirations. When my GPA was getting closer and closer to academic probation, I knew I had to bounce back with a routine that would help me mentally. I joined Her Campus and Women in Business last fall, which were both huge opportunities in expanding my involvement on-campus.
Little did my freshman self know that clubs that I enjoy, including WIB and HC, are great for being a part of a community through events like Defining Her Future.
I showed up to the event around noon and gave myself zero expectations on how long I’d be staying. To my surprise, I ended up spending a couple hours of my day sitting into panels and speaking with various people there.
Defining Her Future as a networking event can come across as intimidating, I know at least for me it did beforehand, but I am so glad I went. Students may also be unaware that any Mustang is welcome in the PAC’s doors at events like this. There are sure rewards for anyone who makes the effort to show up and hear from alumni.
What I found rewarding
The moment you’ve been waiting for–my favorite parts! These are features of the conference I noticed so many people there found rewarding—and it’s not just the awesome swag bags and free lunch.
1. Panels
From women promoting inclusivity in the workplace, to speakers with unconventional paths, there were so many different perspectives from many organizations. Women from bigger name companies including LinkedIn and Adobe spoke, alongside local representatives like Brown Butter Cookie Company. Erica Stewart, the mayor of San Luis Obispo, even spoke as an inspiring voice in a career filled with leadership.
I was a fan of the choose-your-own-adventure layout of the conference. Attendees were invited to choose from different panels each hour to sit in on. Hearing such a wide array of career paths was very reassuring for my future as a woman in a professional setting.
2. Photography
Just before noon, Defining Her Future moved outside to tables set up in front of the PAC. As students swarmed to the boxes of on-the-house sandwiches and sweet treats, many took advantage of the photobooth offered front and center.
I happened to show up in the middle of this process and experienced the hustle and bustle of students taking advantage of lunchtime festivities. On top of the immersive photobooth, WIB also offered professional headshots! I believe these are offered every year and are such a convenient way to get some professional pictures of yourself.
3. Booths
Similar to what you’d see at a career fair, just in a comparatively chill atmosphere, the doors of the PAC were surrounded by decorated tables from various companies. Some brought representatives from big technology and sales companies, while others were run by agents from smaller firms.
Nonetheless, I found every person I talked to at their respective booth to be friendly and welcoming to all students. I had valuable chats with women who were aware that I was not currently looking for a job, who instead upheld genuine conversation regarding my own experiences and aspirations and what their job is like at their company.
The booths were such a brilliant way to get students to learn about job positions while building industry connections.
What i’m taking away
Reflecting on my experience, I learned a lot about myself that’s pretty applicable to a lot of young people, especially my Cal Poly peers. Here are bits of what I learned:
1. there are countless options in life
If you’re like me, you might also be struggling to figure out your future goals in life. Personally, there’s so much I would consider pursuing, so it can be hard to narrow down and pinpoint my top career paths. Meeting Cal Poly alumni with a wide variety of college experiences this weekend was so rewarding for this reason.
At DHF I met a reporter from the LA Times who covers breaking news. She shared her story and topics of diversity and inclusion on a panel with four other members. Because I’ve gained a fondness for news coverage, I went up to her, nothing scripted in mind, and just asked her career questions on the spot. After I declared my business major concentration to be marketing this fall, I still felt a little unsure. Especially after I really enjoyed my journalism class this quarter, I had a hard time feeling secure in my major. She reassured me that marketing and communications are a large part of her job’s style and the atmosphere of the LA Times. Obviously, there’s a lot more digging to do before finding the career for me, but meeting people at these events can help steer a person towards their interests.
2. prioritize what you value most
A mentor recently told me that she prioritizes working to live rather than living to work; a mindset that I’ve found deeply aligns with my personal intentions. Multiple speakers who spoke at DHF shared a similar mindset in the advice they offered students.
At one panel I attended, all the women were in agreement that they find ways to make their workplace a comfortable space. One shared that she made it a goal to find a firm with amenities to help her boost her creativity and passions. She found a job she likes that offers lessons at a craft center. Another found location really important, because she wanted her work to be nearby a pilates studio.
It’s benefits like these that I often overlook and I think many people looking for jobs right out of college don’t prioritize. It’s reassuring to hear that these women in high-up positions have found ways to foster their personal needs in their everyday workplace.
3. networking is not as scary as it seems
As a business student, you don’t go a day without hearing the importance of “networking.” As someone who deals with social anxiety, it’s a word that literally sends shivers down my spine. My anxiety has prevented me from putting myself out there and attending events in the past, however, stepping foot in the PAC on Friday was a big step in exposing myself to the most important part of professionalism: forming connections.
In the fall, I chose to go to a career fair. I managed to make it not even five minutes stumbling around before I fled the scene. This is why walking into DHF was such a big step for me. I expected the same to happen. I was happily shocked to find a more lighthearted, welcoming atmosphere at the conference.
What I like about Defining Her Future is there is time to socialize, but the majority of networking is listening in on panels and asking questions. I want people to know that networking doesn’t have to be as scary as it may appear in your mind. If you are looking for ways to build your social circle and industry connections, I’ve found that the set up of DHF and similar events is a good way to put yourself out there without pushing yourself over the edge.