The Stern Opportunity

SWIB Speed Networking Event

On Wednesday December 9th, SWIB hosted its first Speed Networking Roundtable event. Nearly 70 students and 15 company representatives came together for the event, which was one of the last the club hosted in the fall semester.

Open to both MBA1's and MBA2's, the event was unique in that it gave all SWIB members the opportunity to network with different company representatives across various industries in a more candid setting than what is provided in formal recruiting. The casual environment allowed many students to discuss topics like work life balance, career choices, and the different ramifications of those choices: all topics that are generally not appropriate to discuss in formal recruiting circles.

Company representatives spanned various industries, from financial services to consulting to consumer packaged goods. SWIB members sat according to area of interest while the company representatives rotated from table to table. "It was great to speak with women in the work force and discuss some issues that are taboo at recruiting events, such as work-life balance, salary expectations, and life working in male-dominated industries," said MBA1 Elizabeth Strenio.

Karen Kuo, SWIB's VP of Corporate Relations, was largely responsible for organizing the event. She did an amazing job throughout the semester of coordinating with all of the SWIB sponsors across various industries to have them commit to coming in and mingling with the women of SWIB in this unique candid setting. She states, "It was a great opportunity for SWIB members to be able to connect with women business leaders on a more personal level, in a fun and relaxed environment. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from the companies who attended about how much they enjoyed the evening. I'm glad they had the chance to get to know the women of Stern better, as it only strengthens the ties between SWIB and the surrounding business community."

The event was a wonderful opportunity for MBA1's, who were at the time in the midst of submitting their cover letters and resumes for internships, to take a step back and get a candid look into what working at some of the companies they were considering for their summer internships would be like as a woman. Additionally, it was also a great way for them to further practice their stories for all of their interviews coming up in January.

Additionally, the event was a great lead in to SWIB's 18th annual conference "Adaptation, Creating Opportunity in a Changing Environment" which will be held on Friday, February 5th. SWIB Co-President Catie Rosen recounts: "SWIB members and corporate representatives had the opportunity to candidly discuss the importance of adaptation in the workplace and the ways that women can leverage change to create new opportunities. The students definitely took advantage of this unique opportunity, and the conversation flowed easily throughout the evening. This is sure to become one of SWIB's most popular events!" The SWIB board is extremely excited for the upcoming conference and for all of the amazing conversations that were started at the Speed Networking Roundtable to continue during the conference and beyond.

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