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Women gather for ‘Career Boot Camp’

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by Alexandra Rogers

Monday, March 19, 2007

Undergraduate women nearing graduation and approaching the start of their careers gathered Friday at the University of Wisconsin for a conference devoted to promoting success in the professional world.

The Modern Women's Boot Camp: Backpack to Briefcase was organized by three women who volunteered at a Women's Executive Leadership Summit in October and decided to continue the trend.

The women leading the conference included Jennifer Menden, who just finished her undergraduate degree and now works for Wells Fargo; Jenna Harris, a UW-Whitewater senior; and Talia Esser, a UW senior focused on women's leadership and career development.

According to Pat Alea, co-founder of WELS, the leading women wanted to extend the opportunity of hearing professional women speak to students.

"I think that this kind of a meeting fills a gap," Alea said. "I think this kind of a day really fills that gap so that [students] leave a little more prepared."

Karen Wallace, the Change Management Manager with Halliburton Energy Services, spoke at the conference and said she believed the meeting had a positive impact on undergraduate women.

"I wish I'd had some type of event or group of this nature when I was younger and starting my career," said Wallace, who has worked internationally and has held a variety of roles within the oilfield industry. "My presentation today was about diversity and embracing diversity. … It really enhances both your life and career."

The Boot Camp featured six presentations by professionally successful women with specific topics, from networking to the fine art of balancing work with private life.

Other speakers held high-up positions at a variety of businesses across the country, including Cisco Systems and Wells Fargo.

Along with the opportunity to hear presentations, student participants were offered networking opportunities and panelist discussions.

Of all the opportunities offered to participants at the daylong gathering, Wallace said exposure to many successful women seemed to be the most beneficial.

"From a participant perspective, I just think seeing successful women, women that have made different choices, women with diverse careers and different backgrounds [is most beneficial]," Wallace said.

Wallace added that she was thrilled by the astute company surrounding her and the other speakers.

Conference speakers included the Wisconsin Secretary of the Department of Commerce, UW professors and other Madison-area women business leaders.

Although most presenters had concluded their post-secondary education, a constant message was forwarded of the continual process associated with education.

"I've just been fascinated and very inspired by the women I've heard speak today myself," Wallace said. "I think the message that has been coming out through everybody's presentation is 'we don't stop learning.'"

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Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 4:01pm):

Seems like a useless event.

I would have liked to see more emphasis on building a complete woman, not a dependent woman for the company she works. "Woman get their confidence from their company brand." It should be the other way around. I'd like to see more women going out on their own instead of following the corporate pack.

Anonymous (April 15, 2007 @ 7:34pm):

I was at the conference, and found it to be more company based also. I agree with anonymous comment made on March 19th. I feel we do need to empower women to be more independent, thoughtful, and worldly wise before career techniques. This will not only prevent career mistakes, but personal ones as well.

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