For students preparing to enter the professional world, building confidence can be just as important as building a resume.
Women in Business at West Virginia University aims to help students do both.
The organization focuses on creating a supportive community where students can grow personally, professionally and academically while developing skills they can carry into internships, jobs and future leadership roles. Its mission centers on uniting and empowering women while promoting success and equality in the workplace.
Leading the organization this year is President Molly Long, a senior human resource management major from Fellowsville, West Virginia, with minors in business ethics and marketing. Molly oversees Women in Business’ operations, coordinates the officer team, creates agendas, delegates responsibilities and helps maintain relationships with guest speakers, alumni and community partners. She also serves as the organization’s primary liaison with its faculty adviser.
Molly first joined Women in Business during her freshman year after looking for an organization where she could connect with other women and become more involved within the Chambers College of Business and Economics.
“I wanted to be part of a group that supported and empowered other women,” Molly said.
As she became more involved, the organization also became a larger part of her own college experience. Eventually, Molly decided to pursue a leadership position as a way to give back to the group and college community that had already given her meaningful friendships and experiences.
Women in Business has also helped shape Molly’s professional goals.
She plans to earn a master’s degree in human resource management and pursue a career focused on hiring and onboarding. Through her involvement with the organization, Molly said she has strengthened her communication skills, become more confident and developed professional skills that will be valuable in human resources and beyond.
The impact, however, has not been limited to career preparation.
“WIB has had a really positive impact on my experience as a student at WVU,” Molly said. “It has given me a community of people who support and encourage me, while also helping me become more confident and involved on campus.”
That combination of professional development and community is what Molly believes makes Women in Business stand out from other professional organizations.
Members have opportunities to attend networking events, professional development programs, community service activities and social events. At the same time, the organization prioritizes creating genuine friendships and an environment where students feel supported rather than simply attending another career-focused meeting.
Despite its name and connection to Chambers College, Women in Business is not limited to business majors or students who identify as women.
Any WVU student can join.
Molly said the organization hopes to reach students with a variety of majors, career interests and backgrounds because skills such as communication, networking, leadership and confidence are relevant in nearly every profession.
“You don’t have to be a business major to benefit from WIB,” Molly said. “Every career involves communication, networking, confidence, leadership, and other professional skills that WIB helps develop.”
The organization also welcomes allies who do not identify as women. Molly said conversations surrounding equality in the workplace require participation from everyone, and allies can play an important role in understanding the challenges women face while helping support positive change.
Those conversations become especially important as students begin preparing for internships and careers.
Molly said women entering competitive or traditionally male-dominated industries may sometimes feel additional pressure to prove that they belong. Women in Business aims to give members a space where they can build the confidence needed to advocate for themselves and pursue opportunities.
“Don’t let intimidation convince you that you don’t belong,” Molly said. “You have worked hard to get where you are, and you deserve to be there.”
She encourages young women to build their networks, ask questions, communicate their goals and become comfortable speaking up for themselves early in their careers.
Representation can also help.
Molly said seeing women in executive and leadership positions allows college students to visualize themselves in those roles and recognize that those opportunities are achievable. Women in Business members represent a variety of career interests, including fields such as finance, technology and leadership, where women may still be underrepresented.
Professional development is a major part of the organization’s programming.
Women in Business hosts workshops, panels, networking events, guest speakers and other career-focused activities. Members can learn about resume building, interview preparation, LinkedIn, networking and internship preparation while practicing those skills in an environment designed for learning.
The organization also recently piloted a mentorship program, giving members another opportunity to build relationships with professionals and learn from women with different career experiences.
For Molly, one particularly memorable professional event was a dinner that brought Women in Business officers together with their mentors.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring our officers and mentors together, build stronger connections, and create a sense of community within Women in Business,” Molly said.
Mentorship and networking also help members become more comfortable putting themselves in professional situations before graduation.
Through conversations with professionals, panels and networking opportunities, students can practice introducing themselves, asking questions and forming relationships that may continue beyond college.
Molly said one of the biggest lessons she has learned through those experiences is the importance of taking opportunities even when you may not feel completely prepared.
“WIB has shown me that asking questions, making connections, and being open to new experiences can make a big difference in your professional growth,” she said.
Women in Business also emphasizes community service and social connection.
Throughout the year, the organization hosts a mix of professional, networking, social and service events. Community service allows members to give back while becoming more connected to Morgantown, while social events give them time to build friendships outside of career-focused programming.
One of Molly’s favorite memories came while serving as vice president of community service.
During WVU’s Track-or-Treat event, she helped organize a Barbie-themed table where members collected candy donations and raised money to support local communities and children.
“It was amazing to see how supportive the community was and how willing everyone was to contribute to such a great cause,” Molly said.
Although the organization is still finalizing some of its events for the academic year, Molly said she is excited to see what the officer team creates and what new opportunities become available to members.
Meeting times and locations vary throughout the semester depending on the event. Women in Business shares upcoming meeting information, event details and other opportunities through its social media, GroupMe and email list.
Students interested in getting involved can join at any point during the semester. Membership is open to all WVU students, regardless of major or gender identity, and students do not need to be enrolled in Chambers College to participate.
To officially join, students can connect with Women in Business through its GroupMe, social media and email list. Membership dues are $20 per semester or $40 for the full academic year.
For students who may feel hesitant to get involved because they lack professional experience, Molly said that should not stop them from joining.
“You don’t need to have experience to get started,” Molly said. “That’s what college is for. Getting involved is a great way to learn, meet people, and build the confidence and skills you may feel like you are missing.”
Looking ahead, Molly hopes Women in Business continues expanding beyond Chambers College and reaches more students across WVU.
She wants members to leave the organization with confidence, leadership experience, professional skills and meaningful connections they can carry into their careers. More than anything, she hopes the sense of community they build does not disappear after graduation.
“I want people to know that WIB is about creating a community where women can grow together,” Molly said. “Whether someone is looking for professional development, leadership opportunities, new connections, or simply a supportive group of people, WIB has something to offer.”