Career Workshops

The Career Workshop component of the program consists of a series of industry-based workshops facilitated by the girls themselves that feature dynamic volunteer panelists representing a variety of careers.

The workshops are organized by industry sector so that girls learn about different business sectors at each meeting. The GCW team accommodates the needs and requests of the students enrolled, who help us decide the business sectors that should be prioritized each year.

The women were very comfortable and open with us and talked to us like they knew us...this is the third workshop and they just keep on getting better every time. GCW Student Participant

Previous programs have included workshops in the following sectors:

• Business and Finance
• Media and Journalism
• Fashion and Beauty
• Health
• Law
• Science and Technology
• Education
• Art and Graphic Design

Through these workshops, the girls are exposed to a diverse set of positive role models – women from a range of backgrounds, many of whom have overcome adversity and challenges or have taken unusual paths to achieve success. Perhaps they are the first in their families to attend college, or single mothers who put themselves through school, or were in the foster care system or had to pay for their own education. We aim to present women who are at various points along a continuum of educational and career development, from college students, to those just beginning a career, to those in mid-career. We also aim to demonstrate the diverse opportunities within particular sectors by presenting a broad array of professions within a specific industry. For instance, a Health workshop might feature an obstetrician, a hospital administrator, a psychology student, a community empowerment coordinator, a domestic violence prevention organizer, a nurse and a social worker.

The women featured at each workshop participate in a two-hour orientation program and are prepared to discuss their fields, as well as their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. The workshop structure fosters in-depth discussion in small groups, which allows participants to see beyond stereotypes, getting to know real women who are succeeding and thriving.