Women in Business Initiative Program Revamped
Because it’s relatively new and pretty exclusive, few Yeshiva University students have heard of the Women in Business Initiative (WIBI) program. The WIBI program was established last year to help offer female students an advantage in the male-dominated business world. The program runs each spring semester, and applications are open to all female Syms and SCW students. Just 15 students have been accepted this year.
As the WIBI program resumes for its second consecutive year, it expands its opportunities for its members. In addition to participating in panel events and a series of private lectures and presentations throughout the semester, the selected fifteen women will also have the opportunity to be paired with an outside professional to serve as their personal mentor. The female mentor assigned to each student will be involved with the specific field of business the student is interested in. Mentors will offer an inside eye into the field, and provide the student a place at which to learn about the business.
When asked about the origin of the program, Jocelyn Coalter, Yeshiva University Director of Employer and Alumni Relations, explained that she noticed that there is a disparity between the number of male and female alumni who return as speakers to Syms. As a result, she noted, “We wanted to make sure that we were really showing the women on campus that there are places for them in the business world and to give them mentors that can help them with some challenges in the business world if they’re working somewhere that may be still kind of male-dominated.” She further added that “there is a smaller number of women in Syms than there are men, and we want them to feel as motivated and comfortable as possible.”
Last year, involvement in the WIBI program simply meant attendance at several educational presentations throughout the semester. While this may have been a beneficial experience, last year’s program did not contain the more hands-on insight into the business world that this year’s program is providing. Coalter is confident that the new mentorship component will ensure that the students involved will be “getting something above and beyond what every student is already able to get.” After all, while students can be taught how to interact in professional environments, actually being in the environment itself offers a whole new educational experience.
Like last year, WIBI members will attend several exclusive, mandatory events throughout the semester. The programs offer networking, professionalism, and interviewing advice, as well as counsel geared specifically toward women in the workplace. This year’s events include presentations by How to Wow author Francis Cole Jones and acclaimed career coach Pamela Weinberg.
Sara Ladaew, a second-time participant in the program, explained that “[last year’s] WIBI program trained me to be more aware about the business world and the process leading to getting a job, such as conducting a mock interview and putting together my first official resume.” She further added that, as a member of last year’s program, she “was able to learn and acquire business skills outside of a classroom.” With regard to the new mentorship component of this year’s program, she enthusiastically declared that she “will further my horizons by being in close contact with my assigned mentor in my chosen career path.”
Students interested in applying for next year’s WIBI program can begin applying in October. No credit-minimum is required, although students interested must be able to specify a specific business field of interest. Current members are required to reapply if interested in continuing the program.
While the opportunity to work with the mentors does not guarantee an internship, it facilitates the establishment of a foundation for experience. Students will be able to truly get a feel for the field of their interest, while also meeting individuals who can offer advice, and perhaps further opportunities, as well. The opportunities, of course, will depend on whatever the student chooses to make of them.
The WIBI program represents a valuable new way for the women of Stern and Syms to climb the competitive business ladder of New York City.
Women in Business Initiative Program Revamped
By Nancy Shilian
Because it’s relatively new and pretty exclusive, few Yeshiva University students have heard of the Women in Business Initiative (WIBI) program. The WIBI program was established last year to help offer female students an advantage in the male-dominated business world. The program runs each spring semester, and applications are open to all female Syms and SCW students. Just 15 students have been accepted this year.
As the WIBI program resumes for its second consecutive year, it expands its opportunities for its members. In addition to participating in panel events and a series of private lectures and presentations throughout the semester, the selected fifteen women will also have the opportunity to be paired with an outside professional to serve as their personal mentor. The female mentor assigned to each student will be involved with the specific field of business the student is interested in. Mentors will offer an inside eye into the field, and provide the student a place at which to learn about the business.
When asked about the origin of the program, Jocelyn Coalter, Yeshiva University Director of Employer and Alumni Relations, explained that she noticed that there is a disparity between the number of male and female alumni who return as speakers to Syms. As a result, she noted, “We wanted to make sure that we were really showing the women on campus that there are places for them in the business world and to give them mentors that can help them with some challenges in the business world if they’re working somewhere that may be still kind of male-dominated.” She further added that “there is a smaller number of women in Syms than there are men, and we want them to feel as motivated and comfortable as possible.”
Last year, involvement in the WIBI program simply meant attendance at several educational presentations throughout the semester. While this may have been a beneficial experience, last year’s program did not contain the more hands-on insight into the business world that this year’s program is providing. Coalter is confident that the new mentorship component will ensure that the students involved will be “getting something above and beyond what every student is already able to get.” After all, while students can be taught how to interact in professional environments, actually being in the environment itself offers a whole new educational experience.
Like last year, WIBI members will attend several exclusive, mandatory events throughout the semester. The programs offer networking, professionalism, and interviewing advice, as well as counsel geared specifically toward women in the workplace. This year’s events include presentations by How to Wow author Francis Cole Jones and acclaimed career coach Pamela Weinberg.
Sara Ladaew, a second-time participant in the program, explained that “[last year’s] WIBI program trained me to be more aware about the business world and the process leading to getting a job, such as conducting a mock interview and putting together my first official resume.” She further added that, as a member of last year’s program, she “was able to learn and acquire business skills outside of a classroom.” With regard to the new mentorship component of this year’s program, she enthusiastically declared that she “will further my horizons by being in close contact with my assigned mentor in my chosen career path.”
Students interested in applying for next year’s WIBI program can begin applying in October. No credit-minimum is required, although students interested must be able to specify a specific business field of interest. Current members are required to reapply if interested in continuing the program.
While the opportunity to work with the mentors does not guarantee an internship, it facilitates the establishment of a foundation for experience. Students will be able to truly get a feel for the field of their interest, while also meeting individuals who can offer advice, and perhaps further opportunities, as well. The opportunities, of course, will depend on whatever the student chooses to make of them.
The WIBI program represents a valuable new way for the women of Stern and Syms to climb the competitive business ladder of New York City.
