2010 USC Women's Conference

Yesterday marked the 2nd annual 2010 USC Women's Conference.

There is nothing more empowering. There is nothing more inspiring. There is nothing more captivating than being in the presence of 500 Trojan alumni women, who have all worked hard after college to make it in this competitive world.

We joined together yesterday at 7:30am to embark on a one-day journey, together.

To be one-in-a-few students who joined these women yesterday, it was enough to continue giving me the power to keep moving forward in the direction of my dreams. These women are not only hard workers in corporate America, they are wives and mothers. They understand what it takes to make it in their profession and balance the other important aspects of life.

I was honored to be in the presence of all the alumni, but one special woman in particular who I shared this day with was my very own mother, Carole. I thank my momma for encouraging me to take advantage of this opportunity to get up early and be empowered, it was an event right up my alley!

After checking in, getting our 2010 "Women's Conference tote bags" and enjoying a continental breakfast, all 500 of us gathered in Bouvard Auditorium on USC's campus. The introduction set the tone for a day filled with passion, drive and a room full of Superwomen energy! The first panel of women included: Sylvia Lopez (KCAL9 Anchor), Genoveva Arellano (Principal and Owner, Arellano Associates), Betsey Berkhemer-Credaire (Statewide President, NAWBO-California) and Louise H. Bryson (Chair of the Board of Trustees, J. Paul Getty Trust). While Sylvia lead the conversation, the other three answered her questions and gave great insight as to what they find are the key elements to look out for when discovering your passion and making a career out of it.

The big-picture message that they wanted each woman to walk away with at the end of the day, was to find that one thing that you really love, and make that what you shape your career around.

Throughout the day, more women took to the stage as they went to work in sharing their message with the crowd. As they continued to speak out on various subjects, I continued to jot down what seemed important and valid in my journey so that I could share with all of you...

• Cookie Lee (Founder and Chief Designer, Cookie Lee Jewelry) said that you need to make sure you create your career around your passion, so that when you feel low, when you are lying on your bed and you can't find the motivation to get up and work, that passion needs to be what propels you!

• Kathleen Allen (Professor, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies) discussed how important it is to have options. She discussed the importance in having more than one source of income. If you are a professor, for example, write a book, tutor, do something that will generate side money, while creating a name for yourself.

• Lois Franel (President, Corporate Coaching International) shared her story in making it as a corporate coach. She pointed out the issues we don't even recognize in our daily communication with the world and tips on how to change our bad habits. She's an expert at how to go about branding yourself too!

1. Be a good listener, acknowledge what others say, then respond.
2. Remember that early speakers (classroom, meeting, etc.) come off as the most confident people in the room and leave a strong impression on the crowd. Be the first 2 or 3 people to answer a question or raise a valid point, always.
3. Write down what you want people to say about you when you walk out of the room, then apply actional behaviors in shaping this image for yourself.
4. Take your strengths and compliment them.
5. Let other people know about your brand, market yourself!

These are only 5 of some of the greatest pieces of advice I took away from the conference, teaching all of us a bit more about what we can do to be successful.

One last speaker who touched me and sent strong vibes of well-being to all 500 women after lunch, was Dr. Gloria Burgess (Author, Fonder and Principal of Jazz, Inc.). Dr. Burgess was the Luncheon Keynote speaker who silenced the room with her soothing voice and commanded the attention of the Trojan women with the wisdom in her words. She made sure to thank her parents for providing her with a foundation to build upon, reminding me the beauty in sharing the day with my own mother. I had the honor in meeting her at the end of the day, and she was just as gracious in our few minutes together as she was in front of the room full of Trojan women.

Thank you mom, thank you Dr. Burgess and thank you to the USC Alumni Association for hosting this special event. I hope to one day be a woman on that stage empowering the world in the same way these women have empowered me...

I hope you are empowered too.

Until the next adventure, Fight On!

Xo,

Megan