Her Campus is by and for collegiettes, so trust us when we say we know how amazing women in college can be! Last night, I had the honor to attend Glamour magazine’s celebration of their 2012 Top 10 College Women — and I was completely inspired. These ten talented college seniors are already changing the world and giving back to their communities. At the event, I got to learn more about each of these ten incredible girls:
Kaylee Marie Radzyminsk, Tennessee Tech University: She created Tunes 4 the Troops to ship CDs and DVDs to soldiers overseas.
Annie Ryu, Harvard University: She created a service to text medical appointment reminders to new and expectant moms in rural India.
Jasmine Mans, University of Wisconsin: She’s the next big thing in poetry – Google “Dear First Lady” for a taste.
Maggie Dunne, Colgate University: She works to benefit the community of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Ola Ojewumi, University of Maryland: She’s a double organ transplant survivor who advocates for organ donation and provides hundreds of sick kids with stuffed animals.
Keeley Tillotson, University of Oregon: She invented your new favorite snack, Wild Squirrel Nut Butter.
Yali Derman, University of Pennsylvania: She designs a line of tote bags, with all proceeds going to the same hospital that treated her for cancer as a kid.
Colleen Gulick, University of Maryland: She’s breaking records as a female cyclist.
Sarah Stern, University of Kansas: She’s a photographer with an eye for Latin American culture.
DĂ©a Julien, New York University: She’s a triple threat on Broadway.
After honoring each of the ten women, Glamour turned to a panel of five women who are already at the top of their game. They chatted about navigating the post-grad period and how to make the most of your career and confidence. Intrigued? Here’s what the panel had to say:
Presidential speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz:
“If you have to pick up your boss’s dry cleaning, get that dry cleaning like it’s never been done before. If you’re making copies, make them so beautifully your boss weeps. There are no menial tasks. Do the unglamorous stuff well, and with a great attitude. Because most of us live and die by interns who are good. And your boss will know you hold yourself to a standard of excellence, and she can trust you with more.”
Actress Tika Sumpter (Gossip Girl):
?“Auditioning is like going in for a job interview every day. You get so many ‘no’s. But I learned from it. Being told no and that I wasn’t something enough, it made me believe in myself more. Now no one can tell me I’m not enough. It bounces off me.”
Actress Allison Williams (Girls):
“You can’t be afraid of rejection as long as you’re getting constructive criticism. It doesn’t always go down easily, but it will live in your head and you’ll use it later.”
Actress, model, and double-amputee Aimee Mullins:
“I was once told that I had become too confident, and that it made me less likeable. Many successful people will get this at some point, because the people who haven’t followed a similar path can be threatened by someone who has, and is unabashed about it.”
Rent the Runway CEO Jennifer Hyman:
“Be authentic in interviews. I think people come in thinking they have to sell themselves in every way aren’t letting the beauty of who they really are come through. Be passionate and humble and real…Bring the real you in because that’s who I’m going to be working with every day. I want to know that you’re not only a great marketer or problem solver, but also a huge fan of Girls or whatever! Show me who you are.”
From the Top 10 College Women to the panel, the message was clear: There’s no better place to kick off your career and make a difference in the world around you than right here and right now — in college! See you next year at the 2013 awards ceremony!