An organization formed last fall by senior Carly Keller, Colgate Women in Business (CWIB) is growing quickly. Founded with the premise of educating women on campus about the business world, the opportunities that are available, and women’s issues in the workplace, the club relies largely on alumnae for advice and to learn about their experiences. Its more than 150 members represent varying levels of interests in business fields including finance, consulting, marketing, public relations, and advertising.
Abigail Sickinger ’14 joined the club because there is not a business major offered at Colgate, and she wanted to gain more insight into the business world. Monthly Coffee Hours allow members to discuss different aspects of business and its opportunities over coffee and cookies. At the most recent coffee hour, Professor Carrie Keating applied the psychology of leadership to women in the workplace. Last fall, the club Skyped with alumnae Charlotte Burkly, the assistant admissions director at Columbia Business School.
Additionally, peer mentors serve to help younger members connect with the resources that are offered by CWIB and Career Services, helping to facilitate relationships and camaraderie among club members.
“This group is going to be such a great tool as the years go by with the alumni network that will be created as members graduate, and the future relationships that will be established,” Sickinger said.
Sophomore Deirdre Plaus has become more confident about the prospect of pursuing a career in business because of the club especially because of what she has learned at the coffee hours.
“It’s great to split into small groups to receive advice from older students with more experience in the business world,” Plaus said.
Club members receive information about exclusive internships and networking opportunities. Early in the spring semester, nineteen members went on an overnight trip to New York City for site visits at Deloitte, Google and Rent the Runway. They attended a networking reception with alumnae working at a wealth of firms including Revlon, Sotheby’s, and Goldman Sachs. Members were also invited to a meet and greet with Sheryl Sandberg before her lecture being held on April 5 in Cotterell Court.
Colgate Women in Business collaborates with other Colgate organizations, co-sponsoring brown bags and speakers, including Shannon Fitzgerald the Senior Vice President of Series Development for MTV and Julie Kelly ’04, a financial advisor at Edward Jones.
For the future, the club hopes to organize more trips to help members continue exploring their business interests and connect directly with alumnae, provide more resources for finding jobs and internships, and broaden its membership, especially among underclassmen. Contact McKenzie Hume at mhume@colgate.edu for more information on CWIB!