Young women learn tips for success in workforce

What is the goal of an undergraduate education? For most, the end result is a job.
Sixty-five female University undergraduates participated in the third annual “All about the L.A.D.I.E.S” — Leadership And Development Initiatives Empowering Sisters — Symposium Saturday in the Multipurpose Room at the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus.
“Women of Color Trailblazers: Transcending Race & Gender Boundaries” was a full-day program to discuss the experiences women of color face when they enter the workforce. The event was organized to promote confidence and unity in the professional world.
“It brought to light struggles we’ll have,” said Margarita Bossa-Bastidas, a Cook College junior. “[The workforce] can be a hostile environment: being women and minority, being in the work world and having a family.”
Tara Dowdell, small business owner and founder of the Tara Dowdell Group, said she encouraged young females to persevere through the struggles they would face when starting a professional career.
“The only thing that limits you is your imagination,” said Dowdell, who also competed on Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” according to a press release. “It will pay off to work hard.”
Career Services was available to assist the female undergraduates with questions about the workforce.
School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Louchavel Rivera said Dowdell spoke about her life experience and the struggles she encountered.
Rivera said Dowdell’s comments were comforting to the audience, and she was able to reach the students on a level that was their own.
“What really stuck with me in Tara Dowdell’s speech was ‘carry the tea,’” said Michelle Narvaez, a Livingston College sophomore.
“Carry the tea” refers to doing the menial jobs, like getting coffee or making copies, she said.
Narvaez said she experienced working in an environment where she had to carry the tea. “Don’t think you are above it,” she said. “Coming from a successful person, that’s important.”
Because women were portrayed as housewives for so long, Steffaine Fung, a first-year School of Arts and Sciences student, said women today have to find a balance.
“It is a good sign that women are stepping up to be powerful,” she said.
Especially in today’s economy, Reni Somoyo, a School of Communication, information and Libraries Studies senior, said women of color need to learn to network and navigate the professional world.
“There are no permanent friends,” Dowdell said. “There are no permanent enemies. Only permanent interests.”
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences first-year student Maria C. Torres said she learned business is not just about networking, but about relationships and following up with people while Livingston College senior Yetunde Odugbesan said the program helped prepare the students personally and professionally.
But Victoria Armstead, a Douglass College senior, said she is graduating in May, and the program persuaded her to not be afraid of the workforce in today’s society.
“I could use the motivation,” said Kenya Catching, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. “Young women of color need encouragement.”

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