EMPOWER finale showcases entrepreneurial women
As part of the Global ‘Women Entrepreneurship Week’, the Faculty of Business and Law held the finale of the 2017 EMPOWER Mentoring program on Wednesday 18 October.
Over 60 participants (including regional secondary schools students, current university students and local industry professionals) joined with university staff to celebrate their achievements.
The event showcased entrepreneurial women, with two guest speakers sharing their career journeys and thoughts with the group:
- Vanessa McDonald, a current university student studying a combined Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship shared her recent experience with the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship.
- Christina Gerakiteys, Founder of Ideation at work, an innovation and creativity training and consultancy company that works with corporates, government organisations, SMEs and Start-ups, encouraged the group to ask for what they wanted. Christina’s presentation ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Get’, challenged and inspired the participants to own their space and be comfortable with who they are. Christina provided thought-provoking advice that the attendees could adopt to assist in the development of their careers.
Additionally we heard how Innovation and Entrepreneurship is impacting on Law firms and the support required for start-ups.
Two secondary school students spoke about how the experience of being in Empower has increased their confidence and awareness of future career options. As the mentoring program was a pilot, the students the showed their entrepreneurial spirit in applying for the opportunity to take part.
UON’s Deputy Director Corporate Finance & Operations, Jason Murphy, participated in the program as a mentor.
“It really is an inspiring program and one that can make a real difference to gender equity,” Jason said.
“I felt privileged to be one of the male mentors involved with the program.
About Empower
EMPOWER connects female high school students and university students to industry professionals to inspire and inform young women about the study and career opportunities available in Business and Law. By combining education and mentoring, (E + M = Power), the innovative leadership program aims to empower the participants to make informed decisions regarding their work futures.
EMPOWER aims to:
- Give young women the confidence and strength to navigate and manage their own career development.
- Create new networks and enable young woman to increase their social capital.
- Develop networking and business communication skills
- Expand workplace knowledge sets through experience.
- Increase the level of attainment achieved in their studies to improve their future study and work outcomes.
Contact
- Kate Ramzan-Levy, Faculty of Business and Law
- Phone: Ext. 17971
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.