2008 Woodie Awards
Coffee, careers and conversation
By: Liza Manion
Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
This Wednesday, students can find out how women are viewed in the workplace and what a "good" professional is.
Women's Programs and Career Services are hosting the discussion as a part of the "Coffee and Careers" series that started this fall.
"We wanted to create an opportunity for women to have access to mentoring and support about career issues unique to women," said Charlotte Rinaldi, a Cal Poly career counselor.
The first session involved a discussion on what women want their lives to look like, career included. The meeting turned out a success with an intimate gathering of 10 women, who felt comfortable expressing themselves. The next meeting is expected to be even bigger.
Another purpose of the discussions is to find support in the faculty, staff and college women that attend the meetings.
Rinaldi proposed the idea after listening to many college women who had similar questions while being counseled.
As for being a "good" professional, Rinaldi thinks "women struggle with being feminine while still being strong" in the workplace.
These issues can emerge when women are placed in corporate businesses, high-end sales and other male-dominated fields.
"We don't view ourselves the same as men," Rinaldi said, emphasizing that women have a different style of communication and different motivations.
Kelly Andreson, coordinator of Wellness Programs within Women's Programs, helped to promote the events where these important issues are discussed.
"Students can find mentors in older women and faculty," Andreson said.
She also said that the target audience for the discussion is women in male-dominated majors, such as engineering.
She attended the last meeting and felt comfortable to participate and voice her opinions.
"It's not really open in everyday dialogue," she said.
Andreson, also a Cal Poly psychology student, is concerned women are labeled as "emotional" and that they are sensitive and more prone to overreact.
Issues and concerns like this will be addressed in the upcoming meeting. The discussion will be tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon in the Women's Center (UU 217).
Women's Programs and Career Services are hosting the discussion as a part of the "Coffee and Careers" series that started this fall.
"We wanted to create an opportunity for women to have access to mentoring and support about career issues unique to women," said Charlotte Rinaldi, a Cal Poly career counselor.
The first session involved a discussion on what women want their lives to look like, career included. The meeting turned out a success with an intimate gathering of 10 women, who felt comfortable expressing themselves. The next meeting is expected to be even bigger.
Another purpose of the discussions is to find support in the faculty, staff and college women that attend the meetings.
Rinaldi proposed the idea after listening to many college women who had similar questions while being counseled.
As for being a "good" professional, Rinaldi thinks "women struggle with being feminine while still being strong" in the workplace.
These issues can emerge when women are placed in corporate businesses, high-end sales and other male-dominated fields.
"We don't view ourselves the same as men," Rinaldi said, emphasizing that women have a different style of communication and different motivations.
Kelly Andreson, coordinator of Wellness Programs within Women's Programs, helped to promote the events where these important issues are discussed.
"Students can find mentors in older women and faculty," Andreson said.
She also said that the target audience for the discussion is women in male-dominated majors, such as engineering.
She attended the last meeting and felt comfortable to participate and voice her opinions.
"It's not really open in everyday dialogue," she said.
Andreson, also a Cal Poly psychology student, is concerned women are labeled as "emotional" and that they are sensitive and more prone to overreact.
Issues and concerns like this will be addressed in the upcoming meeting. The discussion will be tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon in the Women's Center (UU 217).
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