Gone are the days of being either a professional or a fashionista. Nowadays, a woman can run a major corporation wearing an oxblood, peplum shirt while conducting a big meeting at the same time. The new website Spike the Water Cooler knows just that. Balancing professionalism with style, the Washington D.C. based website is the creation of founder Marjorie Clifton. We asked Brandeis’ own senior, Jane Zitomer, an editor for the site, to give Her Campus the latest scoop on all things STWC related. Also, we were kind of dying to know how exactly they came up with their awesome name…
Her Campus: How is this website different from other online initiatives/what makes it unique?
Jane Zitomer ’13 of Spike the Water Cooler:
As a young woman interested in a professional career, I feel like I had been unsuccessfully looking for this website for years. STWC brings together young professional women of all stripes and more “seasoned” professional women to share candid, honest and humorous advice and experiences about everything from how to choose a benefits plan to online dating. It acknowledges that the modern workplace must address issues that go beyond the cubical and shares in solidarity (and fun) the experiences of being a professional woman today. It celebrates the things that we share in common as women and encourages us to live honestly, boldly and supporting one other through the highs and lows.
HC: How was site the name created?
JZ: Founder of Spike the Water Cooler, Marjorie Clifton, thought of the name while standing in an airport on her way to Texas. She noticed a woman in very tall stiletto heels gracefully carry 5 huge bags to the gate without issue. As she says, she immediately thought to herself, “wow, women really can do remarkable things – I’d love to see a man do that balancing their weight on 3 inch chopsticks.” In naming the site, Marjorie thought about ideas of the break room – a place where people candidly share things in the workplace that they wouldn’t necessarily talk about in the boardroom or at their desk. She wanted the site to be about candor, honesty…and humor!
HC: How would you describe the site?
JZ: The site embraces the experiences of the modern woman with humor and honesty and offers smart and helpful advice to women of all kinds. We recently asked our contributors to write their personal memoirs—in just 6 words— as part of our “At the Water Cooler” segment. If I were to describe STWC in just six words, I would say: “Witty women discussing topics worth reading.”
HC: What type of women would enjoy the site?
JZ: What type of women wouldn’t enjoy this site?! Well, I guess non-english speakers wouldn’t – but that’s just because we haven’t released it in farsi yet. The site combines all the smart career stuff (inserted with the inner monologue of the woman in the staff meeting who just realized she put her shirt on inside out), with a splash of pop culture to make it fun. (Come on, we all have to admit we read the headlines in the grocery line!) The site is more career-driven, but we talk fashion, arts, and TV shows. Spike is read by all women—from interns to CEOs, from college students to working moms.
HC: What are the goals of the site/why should college students read it?
JZ: I think that Spike is especially important for college students. The best thing to do for young women about to start out in their careers is to give them real, candid and honest advice. But, also to give them a community that supports them, celebrates women like them and finds humor in the realities of “the real world”. This site aims to do all of that in a fun and approachable manner – sort of pulling back the curtain and helping give women that little push to embrace life and aim high! Think of it as a “guide book” to the realities of personal and professional life.
I know that when I’m asking someone for career advice (which I seem to be doing constantly lately), I’m in a state where literally anything they say can be influential to me. I feel that in that way, college is a turning point. You never know what can change your mind or take you down a different path. It’s important for women to have resources, whether they are online or in person.
HC: What is your favorite part about writing/blogging for the site?
JZ: I have so many favorite parts about blogging for STWC. I remember reading a quote once about how creativity breeds more creativity—running out of things to write once you start is impossible. I like those odds. I enjoy coming up with different topics and writing until I’m perfectly satisfied with the message I have sent. Seeing my work published and being able to contribute to a greater whole gives me a rush.
HC: Where do you see the site going?
JZ: Spike was created just this year. That being said, it is growing extremely quickly. We are looking for women from all over, in all stages of their lives, to find community. The more voices, the better. Our future plans include a career fair and professional development conference and partnership with companies that are supportive of women in the workplace.
HC: What is a fun fact our readers should know about Spike the Water Cooler?
JZ: Just last week, Spike has been read in over 50 countries. That’s not only impressive but also just down right cool. And our founder is in talks about a possible TV show…
HC: Can Brandeis women get involved in the website?
JZ:There are many ways for Brandeis women to get involved! Number 1: Read the site and pass it along. Information is shared most quickly by word of mouth. 2. Follow us on Twitter @spikethecooler, and like our Facebook page for daily updates, photos and quotations 3. If you are interested in blogging, we are always looking for contributors. Email me for more details.