Professional Development for Women and Minorities

Daring to be Different; Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Riding the Glass Escalator (Presented by Lockheed Martin Corporation)

(WOC 1709) Daring to be Different; Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Riding the Glass Escalator (Presented by Lockheed Martin Corporation)

 

Dr. Maya Angelou stated, “Achievement brings its own anticlimax.” Nowhere is this truer than in the lives of women of color, as they seek accomplishment and prominence in the face of adversity. In addition to the glass ceiling, which already is stopping women from climbing higher in success in the workplace, a parallel phenomenon called the "glass escalator" is also occurring. This can be defined as how more men are joining fields that were previously occupied mainly by women and within these job fields, the men are riding right past women and going straight to the top, similarly to if they were on an escalator and a woman was taking stairs. 

 

At the end of this seminar participants will be able to:

 

1. Better understand these phenomena
2. Identify techniques and strategies to successfully navigate these challenges

 

Executive Presence (Presented by Northrop Grumman Corporation)

(WOC 1708) Executive Presence (Presented by Northrop Grumman Corporation)

 

We’ve all witnessed that moment when a leader walks into a room and instantly attracts attention. The air shifts. Heads turn. People gravitate towards them.  In short, they have a “WOW” factor.  The “WOW” factor is often called “Executive Presence.” Executive Presence is a blending of temperament, competencies, and skills that, when combined, send all the right signals.  Leaders know they must embody executive presence to get ahead, influence others, and drive results.

 

Do you want the WOW factor of Executive Presence?  Attend this workshop and gain a proven approach on how to obtain Executive Presence.  Get ready for your next promotion.

 

Savviness versus Sell-Out (Presented by Consumers Energy)

(WOC 1707) Savviness versus Sell-Out (Presented by Consumers Energy)

 

Are you unsure of how to “play the game” to win when it comes to corporate politics? It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe in office politics, they still exist. Learn how to master office politics in this intensive deep dive with savvy leaders who take a realistic approach to managing workplace politics. Enhance your understanding on how to navigate competing interests, scarce resources, ambiguity in authority, unclear rules and lack of information in the corporate environment. The main thing to remember when dealing with office politics is that you CAN still be “you” while adjusting your style to fit the situation.

 

“Early in my career I despised the thought of having to dance through corporate politics.  I thought I’m just not good at it and I’m not selling out just to get ahead.  Little did I know back then how completely misguided I was until I began practicing true relationship building and removed “office politics” from my vocabulary.  Building professional relationships is an art, a fine art mind you, every leader should understand.  Like every rare and expensive art piece.. it takes skill, practice, and time.” – Charles Crews VP Consumers Energy

College Study Hall- Access Mentors, Build Resumes, Get Academic Support and Guidance

(WOC 1611) College Study Hall- Access Mentors, Build Resumes, Get Academic Support and Guidance

 

Learning Objective: Discuss techniques for developing your career plan

 

There seems to be an endless stream of things to do and not enough time to do it. The pressures to succeed and compete for opportunities are greater than ever.  No worthy accomplishment is realized without sacrifice. Take this time to work on your plan. Students can talk to mentors about their specific needs. Or you may need to build or revise your resume. In this session, you can get advice about graduate school or talk to someone about academic challenges.  Take advantage of the opportunity to leave the conference with a solid plan for achieving your goals and a few key things checked off of your list.  

 

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

 

1. Talk to potential mentors or coaches
2. Work on resume building strategies
3. Access support for navigating academic pressures, schedules, and choices
4. Explore plans and “to do” items for the graduate school application process
5. Share personal school and career game plan

 

Want an upgrade? Winning Resumes and Lasting Impressions

(WOC 1615) Want an upgrade? Winning Resumes and Lasting Impressions 

 

First Impressions open doors!! Do you look and act like a winner? Are you prepared to compete and get noticed? The first step to success is making sure your resume, words, and image reflect your true value. You will have an edge if you understand what employers are looking for in potential candidates. In this seminar, human resource professionals will help you build a resume, polish your image, and say the right things.  Get ready to take action and win! 

 

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

 

1. Build or upgrade a winning resume 
2. List dos and don’ts  of  interviewing
3. Use Critical Networking techniques
4. Identify specific questions to ask potential employers

 

Women in Tech: More than Just a Pipeline Issue

(WOC 1505) Women in Tech: More than Just a Pipeline Issue

 

Learning Objective: Examine the factors for low numbers of women in the tech field and how to retain women tech professionals

 

Research has shown that most women leave the tech workforce after an average of 7 years. This is a huge, unnecessary loss of talent in a field facing a short of talent. Since the tech field is a major driver of the U.S. economy, this shortage impacts everyone. Some tech companies are struggling to hire and retain employees. When men and women with the same qualifications apply for the same job, studies have shown that they are evaluated differently. These biases may occur unconsciously and without intention or malice. This seminar will address the issue of how to address the gap. 

 

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: 

 

1. Examine the causes behind the lack of women in the tech field.
2. Discuss the natural bias that exists in our workforce culture. 
3. Explore ways to change the workforce bias.

Leadership and Excellence in Diversity: Sustaining the Diversity Momentum in Changing Times

(WOC 1504) Leadership and Excellence in Diversity: Sustaining the Diversity Momentum in Changing Times 

 

Learning Objective: Diversity leaders create a brand and image that supports and reflects competence and business value.

 

What does it mean to be a diversity leader? Over the past several years, diversity has been a hot topic. However, as times change, and business challenges increase, the term has become a stale reference to check off a list of politically correct requirements. As leaders in diversity, we are challenged to educate, energize, and excite our organization around diversity initiatives. These initiatives build the foundation of creativity, innovation, and transformative results. Diversity and Inclusion leaders are key players on the executive leadership team with the specific responsibility for ensuring that human resources are honored, embraced, and ready to contribute great value. Diversity and Inclusion leaders are trusted advisors that fundamentally create strategies that result in corporate cultural transformations to effectively support the mission and vision of the organization. To continue to be successful and safeguard the great work and efforts of those before you, you must create a brand and image that reflects high integrity and strong leadership capacity. This workshop will arm you with the skills you need to change your leadership image and effectively function as a vital part of the leadership vision.

 

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

 

1. Explore key diversity and inclusion leadership and management skills
2. Understand strategies for building the right brand and image
3. Examine what it means to transform organizational culture
4. Create a plan for excellence in diversity and inclusion leadership
5. Explore business challenges that impact diversity and inclusion leaders

 

Licensure as a Professional Engineer -- Its Value and the Steps to Take

 (BEYA 2312) Licensure as a Professional Engineer -- Its Value and the Steps to Take

IIoT: The Career Disruptor

(WOC 1401) IIoT: The Career Disruptor

 

The Internet of Things refers to the networking of physical objects through the use of embedded sensors, actuators, and other devices that can collect or transmit information about the objects. The data amassed from these devices can then be analyzed to optimize products, services, and operations. During this session, participants will understand how the industrial adoption of the Internet of Things will drastically change every market vertical and disrupt current roles within enterprises and creating new roles and career opportunities.

 

 

At the end of this seminar, participants will exit this seminar with the following knowledge:

 

1. A clear understanding of the Industrial Internet of Things and why it is an important market trend to follow.
2. The changes and disruptions that IoT will bring to every industry and market vertical. 
3. The career and revenue opportunities that will be introduced through IoT global adoption. 

 

Top Ten Careers in STEM by 2020

(WOC 1400) Top Ten Careers in STEM by 2020

 

A recent report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the U.S. will add roughly 20 million new jobs by the year 2020. Estimates indicate that careers in the STEM fields can account for over 10 million of the new job created. Given the strong correlation between higher education and economic growth, some experts have been bold enough to claim that the growth of the U.S. economy through 2020 and beyond will be tied directly to the level of education achieved by its workforce. Join us for an eye opening discussion on market trends in the future of the STEM careers. 

At the end of this seminar, participants will acquire insight into market trends and innovative factors that will influence STEM professional careers within the next five years. 

 

This seminar will explore and analyze how to:

 

1. Identify the STEM professions that are in high demand and will command the highest earning opportunities.
2. Leverage their current professional skills towards career advancement.
3. Increase their market value by becoming a SWAT professional.