Women in Work day focuses on personal development, wellness and social issues

Career Services is hosting its third Women in Work conference next weekend, one day ahead of International Women’s Day.

This year’s theme is Let’s Talk: Leadership, Equity and Owning Your Future, and will be explored through the lens of personal development, wellness and social issues. The event is an opportunity for students to learn how to champion equity in the workplace — as well as for them to connect with employers and other students over these shared goals.

• Photo above: UCalgary alumna Vicki Bouvier will be facilitating Indigenous Ways of Being: A Small Act of Resistance, one of the many sessions available to students at Women in Work.

“The theme is intended to inspire attendees to see themselves as future leaders, to be aware of the current status on aspects of equity and to recognize their future opportunity to truly own their career path and their future overall,” says Nora Molina, Career Services director. “It is influenced by the idea that life doesn’t just happen to us; by being intentional, one can make opportunities happen.”

The goal of the conference is to not only encourage more women to lead, but to also show all students how they can make changes within their circles of influence to create more inclusive and equitable environments.

Everyone plays a role in achieving gender equity 

“It’s an opportunity for students of all genders to gain an understanding of equity issues today, that they are real and unjustified,” Molina says. “While small improvements have been made, there are many indications that women still face unjust pay equity practices and are under-represented in leadership roles in a variety of spaces. Everyone has an opportunity to be a voice of fair and equal treatment in whatever space they are — work, sport, volunteerism.”

Women in Work is a biennial conference and, for the first time, Career Services is partnering with the Women’s Resource Centre to feature their Awards of Excellence, where an undergraduate and graduate student, as well as an alumna, will be honoured for their wisdom, resilience and compassion. The award presentation will take place during lunch.

The conference is free for all UCalgary students. Find the full schedule and registration details.