The Charger Blog

Virtual Panel Discussion Brings Together Students, Women Leaders

The UniversityӰԭs WomenӰԭs Leadership Council sponsored a virtual program that enabled students to learn about opportunities, challenges, and the skills that are critical for success from women who are leaders in their fields.

December 10, 2020

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Image of Women's leadership council zoom event.
The UniversityӰԭs recent virtual discussion enabled students to learn from women who are leaders in their fields.

Jocelyn Rodrigues Ӱԭ21 MBA wants to learn as much as she can about navigating the workforce after she graduates this spring. This is especially important as the coronavirus global pandemic has led to changes and new challenges in the workplace.

ThatӰԭs why she was interested in attending a recent virtual panel discussion, titled, ӰԭWhat Employers R Looking 4 Ӱԭ A Conversation with Women Leaders.Ӱԭ Sponsored by the UniversityӰԭs WomenӰԭs Leadership Council, the event brought the University community together to learn from leaders in several fields.

ӰԭThis discussion was not only inspirational, it was a great learning experience for me,Ӱԭ said Rodrigues. ӰԭI received some concrete advice and guidance on challenges faced when pursuing jobs and entering the workforce in the current climate. I also learned tips and tricks to be successful in such scenarios.Ӱԭ

The panel, which included professionals in healthcare, law enforcement, and engineering, discussed the current states of their respective industries and the impact the pandemic has had. Moderated by Marcus Paca, assistant director of employer relations in the UniversityӰԭs Career Development Center, the event focused on how students can position themselves for success in the workplace and in their job and internship searches.

ӰԭOur students benefited a great deal from the stories, experiences, and advice shared by an exceptional set of panelists,Ӱԭ said Brian Kench, dean of the Pompea College of Business. ӰԭIӰԭm very proud to have partnered with Board of Governors member, Pompea College of Business Advisory Board chair, and WomenӰԭs Leadership Council co-chair Josephine Moran Ӱԭ01 M.S., Ӱԭ19 EMBA to create this important and influential event for our University of New Haven community.Ӱԭ

ӰԭThey help us develop a competitive edgeӰԭ
Image of Josephine Moran Ӱԭ01 M.S., Ӱԭ19 EMBA.
Josephine Moran Ӱԭ01 M.S., Ӱԭ19 EMBA.

Moran, executive vice president and chief corporate services & consumer lending officer at , was one of the panelists. She discussed the financial services industry, which, she says, offers high levels of job satisfaction. She also told the University community which skills are crucial to success in the industry, such as problem solving, public speaking, and critical thinking skills, and discussed the many opportunities for women to succeed in the industry.

ӰԭThe financial services industry is focused on diversity and recruiting talented women,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭTheyӰԭre looking for fresh talent, especially women, to improve and broaden organizationsӰԭ focus and performance. Women do very well in the industry, and we are crucial to its success.Ӱԭ

For Rodrigues, the MBA candidate, the discussion was an important opportunity to learn from women who have valuable experiences, insights, and advice to share.

ӰԭI believe programs like this in which we hear firsthand from such successful role models contribute to what makes the University of New Haven such a special place,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭThese events not only provide us with networking opportunities, they help us develop a competitive edge to be successful in our own future careers.Ӱԭ