Women in Business Gala

Keri S.

February 18, 2010 - 4:30 PM

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Women in Business Gala event. This event, held once a year, is put on by the amazing ladies in the Women in Business Club right here in the business school. This is the first time I have attended the event, and I had such an amazing time!

For this event, each student is paired one-on-one with a female professional from the Eugene community. I was paired with Meagan, and accountant from Moss Adams. It was great to hear the story of how she got to where she is now, and to hear great advice as I prepare to enter my last term here at the University of Oregon.

The event started with a welcoming speech from Dennis Howard, the dean of the Lundquist College of Business. He provided a history of the business school, and specifically talked about the role that women have played in making the business school what it is today. It was great to hear that the women are so influential and such a part of the Lundquist College of Business. Everyone in attendance was also happy to hear that, on average, women have higher GPAs entering the business school than their male peers.

Next to speak was Wendy Mitchell, the current Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs. Wendy talked about a few recent graduates and what they are doing now. It was so encouraging to hear about students who were in my shoes three years ago who are now working for great companies around the world! I realized how valuable my time here at the Lundquist College of Business has been and everything that I have learned. I also learned that in order to get a job after graduation, I need to start taking advantage of all the great resources available to me here in the business school, including the Career Center. Although I am stressed and sometimes panicked about what I will do after graduation, it is nice to hear that people who were in my shoes have gone on to do great things in a short amount of time. It definitely made me feel a little more at ease and confident in my accomplishments so far.

After a brief break to enjoy a fabulous dinner, we got to hear from a Keynote speaker, Susie Pape who currently is the Chairman of the Board for the Pape group. It was great to hear her personal story, because she was a successful woman who balanced her professional career with her family life. As a mother of three, she was able to be involved with her husband's work in the Pape group as well as take care of her children. As a woman, it is great to hear stories of others who were able to balance both areas of their lives like this, because it is a huge stereotype that women have to choose between a successful career and a family life. I hope that I can balance both activities without sacrifice once I enter the workforce.

Overall, I was very impressed by the Gala this year, and am regretful that I haven't attended before this time. I left feeling empowered and ready to graduate tomorrow! Only a few weeks left of this term before I move on to my last term here at the University of Oregon.

Congratulations to all the executive members and all my friends who made the Women in Business Gala such a successful event! This is by far one of my favorite events so far here at the Lundquist College of Business, and you guys did a great job putting it all together.