Week of March 11, 2013
The 15th Annual Women and Careers Conference returns to Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) on Friday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the University Student Union Ballroom with the theme “Dream It, Create It.”
The keynote address will be delivered by U.S. Navy Commodore Shoshana Chatfield, a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Helicopter Sea Combat Wing. In addition, six successful professional women from a variety of fields will participate in a moderated panel presentation where they will share their stories of successes and challenges.
These speakers will include the Los Angeles Police Department Nicole Alberca, Quest Diagnostics’ Amber Donahue, Childcare Facility Entrepreneur and author Sicola Elliott, Toyota Auto Body Company engineer Raquel Sanchez, L.A.’s Prom Closet founder Natalie Torres and Shelly York, vice-president and district manager of Kohl’s.
“Each of the women has actively pursued a passion creating their destinies,” explained Jeane Caveness, assistant dean of students and coordinator of the Women and Careers Conference. “They have done so with a standard of excellence that makes them wonderful role models for Cal State Long Beach students.”
The Women and Careers Conference offers CSULB students and alumni the chance to hear a panel of successful women from various career fields discuss their experiences and the factors that contributed to their achievements. Panelists will talk about issues such as their personal decision-making process, who made a difference in their lives and why, their mentoring experiences and the balance they strike between their personal and professional lives.
The conference also includes round-table discussions and provides practical opportunities for students to network, to discuss new ideas and continue career explorations.
Caveness hopes participating students come away inspired. “I want to reinforce the importance of higher education as a critical element in women’s empowerment,” she said. “Also, I want all students, women and men, to be inspired by the unique stories of each speaker and to be reminded that no matter what students major in at CSULB, they have many career options.”
The day begins with an 8:30 check-in and a 9 o’clock welcome from Jazmine Contreras, ASI secretary for women’s affairs, and Assistant Dean Caveness. The keynote address will take place at about 9:20 followed by the panel discussion, which will be followed by a “Financially Savvy” workshop hosted by Torres. Closing remarks will be offered at noon.
The event is coordinated by CSULB’s Women’s Resource Center in conjunction with the Career Development Center, the USU Program Council, CSULB’s Associated Students Inc. and ASI Recreation, the President’s Commission on the Status of Women and Educational Career Services.
Conference details, including speakers, can be found at the Women and Careers website. More information is available by calling the CSULB Women’s Resource Center at 562/985-8576 or via email at wrc@csulb.edu.
