The Jim Moran Institute and Women in Business Student Organization at Florida State University will be holding their annual Women in Business conference at FSU’s Union Ballroom Friday.
The purpose of the conference is to discuss essential advice necessary for women to be successful in the business industry.
Ashley Jackson, a fourth-year finance and marketing student and president of the Women in Business organization explained that the conference will give students a chance to communication with professionals.
“We hope to give students of all ages and majors an opportunity to take a break from the classroom setting and enter a professional conference environment, where they can learn from our keynote speaker and eight panelists, while interacting and networking with them.”
The day will be filled with various activities and exercises such as diverse speakers, panel sessions, lunch, and more.
Many FSU such as Melany Dunbar, a first-year management student from Thomasville, Ga,. are anticipating this conference and can’t wait to see what they will be learning.
“I think it’s great that we’re having the opportunity to learn about business from a woman’s point of view,” she said. “The business industry seems to be filled with more men than women and I feel like there’s little opportunity for us women.”
Jessica Williams, a third-year accounting student at FSU from Tampa said that she has wanted an opportunity to talk to someone in her aspired profession.
“I’ve been waiting for a chance to be able to sit and discuss business from a woman’s aspect for a while now. Yeah we can always talk to our business-related professors but it’s always nice to hear advice coming from someone in the field.”
This year’s keynote speaker is Sharon Lechter. Lechter is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, advocate for financial literacy and 1976 Florida State University accounting graduate.
Lechter will speak on “Women Driving the Global Economy.”
When it comes to the panel discussions, attendees may pick one of the two to attend.
The first panel discussion is “Essential Skillset for any Entrepreneur.” It is about women entrepreneurs that are redefining power and the nature of success for the 21st century.
The alternative panel discussion is “Navigating in a Man’s world.” The discussion will be about the changing dynamics and negotiation in business with investors, boards, employees and management teams. And also whether or not being a woman really makes a difference today.
The Women in Business conference will be held from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.