It's been a couple of years since I've been to any career networking events but the past seven days sure have been busy and they all happened by accident. I just signed up for a journalism group that meets periodically in San Francisco; missed their first meeting and didn't expect to see their next invitation for a couple of weeks. But the group organizer emailed the members about a fundraising event for two local non-profit, online news startups: The Public Press and Newsdesk. The last time I was in the same room with a group of reporters was when I was covering a murder trial in New England years ago. As many national and local newspapers and other commercial media groups are shutting down shops and slashing hundreds of editorial staff, the life and livelihood of true news reporters and the journalism field is being threatened.
These two online media groups like a few others nationwide are working hard to not let true hardnosed journalism succumb and wither away to marketplace influences and pressures. There were roughly about 100 people and I found myself talking to three people with various backgrounds but with deep roots in journalism: A Freelance News Reporter/Editor, an Executive Director of national non-profit news radio organization called Making Contact, and a former News Reporter turned Social Scientist; an assortment of interesting talent. For the first time in a long time, I didn't keep my eyes on the clock waiting for the meeting to end. The 1.5 hour session flew by as I learned, absorbed and hung on every word of what everyone was saying about their organization and their line of work.
Still pumped on my eye-opening exchange of new ideas with new people, yesterday morning I perused LinkedIn (a professional networking site that even Borack Obama is a member) and fell upon a local women's networking group, Future Women Leaders (FWL) www.futurewomenleaders.net . Their website lists an impressive roster of talented members and professional development programs, and their monthly events look intriguing. I was intrigued! Within minutes I RSVP'd for their happy hour event and invited my three friends to attend the introductory mixer. Eight hours later I arrived at the meeting place, a wine bar in Palo Alto. One of my friends RSVP'd and she wasn't kicking or screaming when we walked into the cozy and welcoming parlor in the back of the bar. So far so good :o). The room wasn't filled yet when we arrived but an hour later, it quickly got full and boisterous as more women appeared. The members and newcomers had impressive various backgrounds: Stanford student, Physical Therapist-Student Tutor Consultant, Healthcare Consultant, Online Marketing Guru for a startup, Non-Profit Officer, Business Leader, Technical Administrator and a Group Executive Coach were just a handful of the many in attendance.
One by one, four members of the group warmly greeted us bright eyed newbies, explaining what their organization does and provide. They have five executive programs that run between 4-6 months: Leadership Development (LDP), MBA Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Career Mentorship, and College Mentorship. I'm interested in the 4 month, LDP which delves into self exploration and inner strength utilizing various tests such as the Strength Finder and Myer's Briggs. I've read about Myer's Briggs but have never taken the test. At last I can get a professional and scientific analysis of my personality and leadership traits. No more quickie, easy to cheat, self assessment tests on Women's Health, Self and Good Housekeeping.
In addition to these long term sessions, they also have classes in career transition, women in media and personal finance. This group has fun too with social events such as their group trip to see the Nutcracker in San Francisco next week and their annual summer banquet. I'm sure this isn't an exhaustive list of their activities but it was enough to keep me salivating! Another very key point is that the gathering was very inviting and warm but not in a mushy- touch feely way. 90% of my jobs have been in male dominated industries (finance, broadcast television and video games) so it was very refreshing to actually collaborate in a comfortable and familiar setting. Ego, pride, chest beating, "quick fix it" attitude can get in the way of proactive cooperation, negotiation and brainstorming. Who can relate?
Women rock. I'm hooked.
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