This week we had a chance to interview Anita Wing Lee, Western alum with a dual degree in both MIT (Media, Information and Technoculture) and Honors Business Administration (Ivey). After struggling at a young age with body image, Anita decided to take hold of her own future and dedicated herself to sharing her own experiences and helping other students achieve their career aspirations. At only 23 years of age, Anita has travelled to 21 different countries (Greece, Rwanda, Thailand, and Panama to name a few!), scored several awesome internships, won awards at international conferences, and has received nearly $30,000 in grants and scholarships! Anita’s personal website, is a one-stop shop to get career advice, sign up for workshops led by Anita, subscribe to her E-Guide, and more! Get to know a little bit more about Anita, and stay tuned for a special offer by Anita, EXCLUSIVE to Her Campus Western Ontario readers!
What made you decide to come to Western?
“I got accepted into AEO for Ivey. At that time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to Ivey, but I went to Western to keep my options open. “
Describe the “Zero to Network” program.
“Picture this: By the end of 2014, you will have professional network of at least 100 people who are ready and willing to tell you when any internships open up. They will fast track your application. They will tell you first if they hear about any jobs. Heck, if there’s a position open now, they will offer it to you. You are 100% confident that you can and you will have a job when you need it. Wouldn’t it be awesome if you had someone who would guide you step-by-step through the process of building a professional network and turning your new contacts in solid work experience?
That’s why I created Zero To Network. It’s an 8-week online program designed to teach ambitious students how to build a professional network so that you get hired by your dream company and get paid to go on the adventure you’ve been waiting for.
Members get six video modules where I show them how to overcome shyness, email like a pro, ask professionals out for coffee meetings, what to do at networking events, and much more. Since this is my first time offering this program, I want to keep the group small and close knit so there are only 75 spots. Anyone who chooses to be the pilot round gets access to a private Facebook group for 8 weeks of coaching and mentoring from me. I’ll be in there guiding you and answering all your questions.
You’ll be surrounded by people who are motivated and supportive. Everyone here will ‘get’ the authentic networking I teach and members will be able to open doors for each other. This is literally what I wish I had when I was first starting out. Everything I teach in Zero To Network I learned from Ivey (that cost me $50K), from trial and error, and from refining and tweaking this process for the last three years as I landed one travel internship after another. Now I’m dedicated to helping the next up-and-comers launch their dreams.”
**If you’re interested being a part of Zero To Network keep reading because Anita has a special offer at the end EXCLUSIVE for Her Campus Western Ontario readers!**
What do you want people to take away from your website?
“I want people to be inspired and to realize that they can accomplish whatever big dreams they have. I started with just talking to people about travel and then a little bit at a time, I found opportunities. I want you to know that there is a big world out there to explore, and if you want to travel, you can do it! I’m committed to showing people, especially young women, how they can find travel opportunities by networking authentically.”
Besides working hard for your grades, what do you think made you the most successful at landing internships?
“I totally get what it’s like to try to find an internship as a student. I went to UWO’s career centre once and sat in a boring 60 minute info session. I left with a page full of notes and no idea what to do next.
Amazing internships and jobs do exist, but in my experience, you won’t find the best ones by scouring job boards and aimlessly flinging your resume at companies. When I learned to network authentically, my university career took off. One person at a time, I found people who were doing exactly what I wanted. They supported me and pointed me to internships that no one else knew about. The kind of authentic networking that I teach is not about sucking up or handing out business cards. I show people how to use their natural passion and talents to contact companies they want to work for and turn them into allies and mentors. Then when they’re hiring, they come to you first. This process can be used to land any internship or job.
However, you have to start early. If you’re looking for a summer internship, you want to contact companies in the fall. That’s why Zero To Network starts October 20th and runs till December 15th. This is just enough time for you to get noticed by your dream company so that you’re on their radar before anyone else hears about their summer internships!”
How do you think your struggles with body images have impacted the way you aim to help other struggling university students, whether it be with body image or other difficulties?
“My struggle with my body image showed me how we stop ourselves from achieving great things. It’s important to find your truth, and the truth is that you are not your body. Young women are especially susceptible to believing we are only worth as much as our good looks. I want to encourage and embolden young women to break free of any limitations that they put on themselves. Ultimately, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are meant to do great things.”
What sets you apart from other speakers or life coaches that allows you to actually to make a difference in students’ lives?
“I’m quite different from most speakers and life coaches because I’m young. I just finished my UWO degrees in spring 2014 and I started my website because I know I can help now. I learned everything I teach through trial and error and by taking big leaps of faith. I’ve already travelled and seen more than some adults and I teach from my life experience.”
In a nutshell, how can you describe your E-Guide, “3 Secret Habits”?“The 3 Secret Habits of Outrageously Successful Students is an e-guide I wrote to show you how you can hack your university education and use your time in school to do things that make a difference. I use the word “success” but this is not about money or jobs. It’s about being really smart with your time and your energy so that you can do things you’re passionate about, as well as excel in school. You can download your free copy of the e-guide here.”
What do you do on social meadia so you can be available to help as many interested people as possible?
“I love to connect with students and young women in person and online. I’m very active on Facebook and I currently host weekly online workshops so that people can learn directly from me. Her Campus readers can log onto my website and sign up for a free spot at my next online workshop.”
On Twitter: @anitawinglee
On Instagram: @anitawinglee
Out of all the places you’ve travelled, what has been your favourite place and why?
“My favourite place is Zanzibar, a tropical island off the coast of Tanzania. This was where I first learned to scuba dive. I also met some incredible people who ditched their first world, corporate careers to travel full time and was really inspired to keep traveling.”
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
“I want to be leading world-class mentorship programs for young women to guide them through the process of launching a career doing what they’re most passionate about. I want to take young women to magical, transformative places in the world (think Machu Pichuu, Peru or India).”
Personal Message from Anita: I truly believe you deserve to have all the same travel opportunities I had and I know you CAN land your dream internship or job. My personal mission is to help young women like you be all that you can be. That’s why I created Zero To Network and I personally invite you to check out all the details and join me here: www.anitawinglee.com/zerotonetwork. I’m offering an extra discount to Her Campus readers because I especially want help young women get ahead. Just use the promo code “UWOhercampus” to get an extra 20% at checkout!
HC Quiz:Favourite Activities: Yoga, Reading, I like learning how to do stuff online, blogging, spending time outdoors
Favourite quote: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be: Oprah, straight up.
Three words to describe yourself: Resilient. Visionary. Adventurer.
Something you enjoy that most other people don’t: Waking up early!
Dream date: Watching a sunset, overlooking an ocean
Celebrity Crush: Orlando Bloom (in Lord Of The Rings)
Guilty Pleasure: Shots of Awe by Jason Silva (the Youtube channel)
Pet Peeves: People who insist on being pessimistic.
Dream Job: Rockstar
If you could have one super power, what would it be: To be able to read books crazy fast and actually remember what I read.