Conference
panel gives tips on pursuing careers
By
Stacy Schwed
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
The Eighth Annual Women and Careers Conference hosted a panel discussion for
students to hear how women got into their careers.
Sharon Diggs-Jackson, a Public Affairs officer at Long Beach Airport, described
her career as “interesting.”
Patti Kolpa, an Ability First Employment coordinator at the Career Transition
Center in Long Beach, described hers as “educational.”
Mostly women came to this conference with the hope these women can shine some
light on how they got to where they are today.
Student Achievement Teacher for English Learners at the Westminster School
District Linda Pogue got into teaching because after she graduated “there
was a limited selection of jobs for her.” Teaching was one of them.
“
I didn’t understand I could love teaching,” Pogue said.
Kolpa is deaf and was told by many people, including her parents, she could
never get a degree because she was deaf. She proved them wrong and became the
first deaf women to graduate from Cal State Northridge.
All the women on the panel recommended finding a mentor or role model to look
up to and receive valuable information.
“
Surround yourself with people in your field,” said Costa Mesa Councilwomen
Katrina A. Foley.
“
I believe it’s important to have a mentor or role model to achieve success
in your career,” said Manuel Perez, the Career Development Center’s
(CDC) director.
Maya Babaeva, an international studies major, did not know before this conference
the CDC had mentoring options. Babaeva speaks four different languages — Russian,
Turkmen, French and English — and wants to be a Foreign Services officer
after graduation. She asked at the conference how she should go about finding
internships.
“
The career center was very helpful in finding me the right information I needed,” Babaeva
said.
“
The panel of women was very helpful. They taught me to branch out and volunteer,” said
Ashley Jeff, a hospitality, hotel management and food services major.
The women on the panel suggested going out and not waiting around.
“
Don’t feel like a failure if you don’t get what you want in the
first six months after graduation, Pogue said.
Kolpa added volunteering and internships before looking for a career is a good
way to start.
“
I came to this conference to learn what [career] is out there for me,” said
senior Joanne Nguyen, a business marketing major. “This opportunity allowed
me to see that I shouldn’t wait for employers to come to me; I should
go to them.”
“
Women can do just about anything,” Pogue said.
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