A diverse group of women and men attended the ninth annual Women and Careers Conference in the University Student Union Ballroom on Friday, where a panel of seven professional women shared their personal stories, struggles and inspirations to get to the top of their careers.
The event allowed guests to speak to the women, interact amongst one another for games, prizes and network among other professionals to gain insight on career opportunities.
Carla Yarbrough, panel moderator and assistant journalism professor, introduced Rose Draft, a senior social worker for the Orange County Children and Family Services; Thema Bryant-Davis, a Cal State Long Beach educational psychology assistant professor; CSULB alumnus Christine Dorgan, a Disneyland Scientific Systems electrical engineer; Ann McClellan, supervisor at the South County Office of the Dayle McIntosh Center; Elaine Bernal, CSULB chemistry department lecturer and certified identity theft risk management specialist; and fashion designers Tiffany Bressan and Courtney Noelle of GirlExtraOrdinaire.
Each guest speaker had similar motivational aspects that kept them from giving up on their dreams. They all agreed that it’s about loving what you do to keep you going, and said having faith and personal beliefs are crucial in gaining strength to push through the traditional boundaries placed upon women.
McClellan said that having cerebral palsy has not held her back from achieving her career goals.
“I want to prove that people with disabilities are like everyone else,” she said. “Everyday is different, with an opportunity to touch someone’s heart.”
McClellan said she feels that once people see what she’s truly capable of and can learn from her, she will know she did her job.
A major point that was addressed at the conference were the sacrifices and issues dealing with keeping a family or the choice not to have one for the sake of a career. Communication and asking for support was collectively an answer among the panel.
“Find someone who understands your passion,” Bressan said.
Some women who tend to let their emotions be a strength and weakness to their jobs was another issue discussed at the conference. Draft said her personal experiences taught her to maintain professionalism in order for people to hear what you have to say.
“And it’s OK to step out and cry,” she said.
Bryant-Davis said victims of rape and domestic abuse have challenged her. She explained to everyone to ask themselves, How can I be present and not be overwhelmed?
“If I respond out of my emotion, people won’t take me seriously. Step out and breathe, write down negative statements verbatim,” she said. Bryant-Davis said she finds negative people as a good challenge, and when they ask her why she’s writing down their statements, she said she responds by saying it is material for her book.
When asked about ethnic challenges and discrimination, the panel agreed that it is something that you just move past.
“Your past does not dictate you future,” Bernal said.
Bryant-Davis added, “People can’t argue with excellence. Excellence silences millions.”
Senior mechanical engineering major Fleurette Tapado said the panelists were helpful.
“As a senior, I get to incorporate what I learned here. I can understand [Dorgan’s] struggles as a female, being an engineer and being surrounded by men,” she said.
Of the few men sitting in the audience, senior Yosua Avuglan said he felt that he had to credit everyone in the room for their stories.
“It’s great that this is empowering women. [Their] boldness inspired me and I go to see what their lives were like,” he said. “I was struck by their drive and how their issues are never given enough attention.”
