Nichols Expands Lessons on Female Networking and Professionalism

Author Jodi Smith	The Event Was a Cooperative Effort across Departments

In the U.S., women earn the majority of business degrees. To make sure female 3rd and 4th-year students have a career edge, Nichols College is expanding on its' innovative, four-year Professional Development Seminar program to include networking and professionalism in the workplace.

And such an increased focus on female outcomes-career placement is timely. The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that female college enrollment will increase 21% compared to a male increase of just 12%. In addition, Behind the Pay Gap, research released in April 2007 by the AAUW Educational Foundation, shows that just one year out of college, women working full time already earn less than their male colleagues, even when they work in the same field.

Nichols' first program, entitled "Networking & Other Secrets to Success for Women," was held in a festively-decorated Auditorium on Monday, February 4th, with keynote speaker Ms. Jodi Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. The evening was a cooperative effort between the Career Services, Academic Affairs, Admissions, and Alumni Relations offices. Door prizes and refreshments were courtesy of Crabtree and Evelyn, Target and Sodexho Services.

Jodi Smith, author of FROM CLUELESS TO CLASS ACT: Manners for the Modern Woman, provided participants with the "Top Ten Tips for Painless Networking." Exercises used personal snippets and visual imagery to improve conversations.

Katherine Bishop '08	Amy Trakimas '08

Two marketing seniors attended, including Katherine Bishop '08 and Amy Trakimas '08, president of Nichols' Marketing Club. Erin Gracia '08 effectively conversed using a snippet about her recent semester abroad. There was even a math major, junior Sasha Pugliese ‘09.

Sasha Pugliese '09	Erin Gracia '08 and Katherine Bishop '08 both studied abroad at Regent's College in London.

The event was a wonderful experience for the students, faculty and staff attending.