{ huwib }: harvard undergraduate women in business

OCS Summer Opportunities Fair

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:50:03 -0500

Hey Harvard,

Don’t forget about this Friday’s Summer Opportunities Fair!

Friday, December 7, 2012
12:00-4:00pm
Gutman Conference Center & Sheraton Commander Hotel

For more information, please check out the official OCS webpage.

P.S. Thanks for the friendly reminder, OCS.

"It’s gonna take a while. It’s normal to take a while. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:30:39 -0500

““It’s gonna take a while. It’s normal to take a while. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.””

- Ira Glass (via quote-book)

Don't forget to turn in your HUWIB executive board applications!

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:36:35 -0500

Applications are due today by 5 pm.

Please email 2012 Co-Presidents Kelly O’Grady (kellyogrady@college.harvard.edu) and Nancy Flewelling (nflewelling@college.harvard.edu) should you have any questions regarding the application process.

Getting to know Ginni

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:30:31 -0500

Photo Credit: WSJ

The following article was written for Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business by Emily Grandjean, a contributor from Wellesley Women in Business.

If you haven’t heard of Virginia “Ginni” Rometty yet, there’s no better time. The current Chair[woman] and CEO of IBM, Rometty is listed in TIME’s Top 10 Women in Technology, as well as Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. After graduating with high honors from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in 1979, Rometty worked for General Motors briefly before beginning her long career at IBM [1].

In an interview at the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit in 2011, Rometty told the audience about one of the mistakes she made early in her career when she was offered a powerful position: “I right away said, ‘You know what? I’m not ready for this job. I need more time, I need more experience, and then I could really do it well.’” She told the person who offered her the job that she would need to think about it. Later that evening, she discussed the situation with her husband who asked her, “Do you think a man would have ever answered that question that way?” Reflecting on the experience, Rometty said, “What it taught me was you have to be very confident even though you’re so self-critical inside about what it is you may or may not know….” She encouraged the audience members to quiet their own self-critics in order to take risks on a deeper level. “Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coëxist, and I think that’s a really good thing to remember,” she added.

As for her business philosophy, Rometty does not “believe in the inevitable,” which is to say that she doesn’t believe that things have to turn out a particular way. Rometty says, “What I have learned from this idea is that whatever business you’re in, it doesn’t matter; it’s going to commoditize over time, it’s going to devalue. You’ve got to keep moving it to a higher value… in whatever it is that you do. Force yourself and force your organization [to do it], and always do it ahead of time” [1].

Rometty is known for “combin[ing] performance and charisma,” [3] as well as leading “from both her head and her heart” [4]. Only time will tell what great things she will continue to do as one of the foremost female leaders in technology and business. For Rometty, success might just be inevitable.

Sources:

[1] Ginni Rometty, Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginni_Rometty

[2] IBM’s Ginni Rometty on taking risks, YouTube.https://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Du_a0CCJkWE

[3] IBM Names Virginia Rometty as New Chief Executive, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/technology/ibm-names-a-new-chief.html?pagewanted=all

[4] IBM’s Ginni Rometty Looks Ahead, Fortune. http://management.fortune.cnn.com/tag/virginia-rometty/

situationinteractive: Pinterest Introduces Business Accounts...

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:49:02 -0500

situationinteractive:

Pinterest Introduces Business Accounts and Tools

Pinterest has invited businesses to the table, announcing resources designed just for them.

The Three Benefits of a Business Account:

1. Account verification- Verifying your account allows businesses to link their websites to their Pinterest profiles. The full URL and verification red check mark can be seen in the “About” section, which allows businesses to be found more easily in search results

2. Add special buttons and widgets- Pinterest is inviting companies to integrate the ‘pin it’ or ‘follow’ buttons into the “board” widgets on their own websites. This will increase engagement from pinners and drive traffic.

3. Access new upcoming features- Brands will soon be able to gain access to reports that will help them better analyze and understand their audience. Updates on future products and services are to come.

Added bonus: companies that already had a personal Pinterest account will be able to convert it to the new business model.

Why we Like This: This new business model brings much more convenience to companies wanting to utilize the social sharing site, allowing them to look at their content in new ways, with new tools, with the benefit of a built-in analytics tool.

Short and sweet explanation of Pinterest’s business accounts.

I know that Kate Spade NY has always been pretty active on Pinterest; they post some pretty great stuff, too!

Do you ladies use Pinterest? What companies do you hope to see on Pinterest?

"It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:23:27 -0500

““It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.””

- Paul Coelho

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for so many things—...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:08:34 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for so many things— including the incredible group of inspiring, ambitious, and supportive network of women we are so proud to be a part of.

Have a wonderful day, and enjoy your break with your loved ones!

image credit

Three tips for acing your interview

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:30:00 -0500

Photo Credit: Begin College

The following article was written by Emily Grandjean, a contributor from Wellesley Women in Business.

1. Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. This cannot be stressed enough. You had better have done your research, a little bit of self-reflection, and extensive practice interviews (to mention just a few things) before you step beyond that revolving glass door. Know as much as you can about the company’s history, values, and culture and try to find information about your interviewer(s), if possible. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and have clear, brief examples to illustrate them. Finally, try to have some idea of your ultimate career trajectory.

2. Appear well-groomed and calm. Be presentable and tastefully dressed, but not necessarily fashionable. Especially in the male-dominated financial industry, interviewers typically don’t care to see one’s unique talent for matching patterns and textures with innovative color schemes. Instead, opt for subtle jewelry, if at all, and conservative apparel. Be calm and level-headed (breathe!) and make yourself stand out by having impressive skills and a thoughtful, confident personality. Remember to be articulate and have good posture. In addition, try to maintain frequent direct eye contact, but don’t glue your eyes to the interviewer. If asked to list your qualifications, mention only your biggest accomplishments^{^[1]}.

3. Follow up. Never underestimate the power of a thank-you letter or email. When drafting your message, pay careful attention to diction, grammar, and formatting. If you choose to handwrite your note, use high-quality stationery and ask a friend to read it over to ensure your writing is legible. Be personable: mention a moment of insight or a common interest that you discovered. If there was something important you forgot to say during the interview, this is your opportunity! Reiterate your interest in the position and your enthusiasm for the company. Finally, don’t forget to put it in the mailbox or click the “send” button within 48 hours of the interview.

Sources:

[1]Heidi Grant Halvorson, “The Presentation Mistake You Don’t Know You’re Making,” Harvard Business Review (blog), October 23, 2012, <http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/10/the_presentation_mistake_you_d.html>

Healthful snacks for the hardworking girl

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:30:37 -0500

Photo Credit: HudsonMade

The following article was written by Emily Grandjean, a contributor from Wellesley Women in Business.

It’s ok to go nuts- a small handful of nuts packs enough protein and fiber to keep you full for hours. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, another plus is that people who regularly eat nuts are less likely to have heart attacks or die from heart disease than those who rarely eat them¹.

An apple a day…- is a good idea! Apples have a substantial amount of fiber (4 grams on average ²) and are low-calorie. What’s more, they’re portable and don’t require refrigeration!

Go get granola – granola bars are an easy, satisfying snack. However, be sure to look at the nutrition label to make sure you don’t choose ones with high fructose corn syrup or lots of added sugar.

Super smoothies – the rich combination of different fruits and vegetables can be very nutritious and provide a good source of antioxidants. Again, be careful to choose drinks that don’t have added sugar and are made with fruit purée, not fruit juice.

Yogurt alert – grocery stores are stocking more and more varieties of yogurt every year. Take advantage of the wide selection and try a few new kinds! Yogurt, especially when made from high-fat milk, is filling and a real treat. Keep in mind that health claims, especially concerning probiotics, are not backed by scientific evidence, according to the European Food Safety Authority³.

Good old-fashioned oatmeal- fibrous and wholesome, oatmeal is a tried-and-true heart-healthy snack. Stir in some toasted walnuts and cinnamon for a flavor boost.

A hot cup of tea- For those stress-induced hunger pangs, sip on some hot tea. The heat will calm you while the beverage fills your belly. Plus, tea provides a full host of a whole host of health benefits and doesn’t add to your calorie count!

For more information on healthful daily allowance of sugar and how to limit your intake, visit: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/sugar-fix

Sources:

[¹] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eatingwell/health-benefits-of-apples_b_966110.html#s364122&title=Exercise_Extender

[²] http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2012/04/03/weight-loss-without-cutting-calories-thats-nuts/

[³] http://www.efsa.europa.eu/

Women Govern Differently Than Men — They’re Better

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:07:09 -0500

Women Govern Differently Than Men — They’re Better:

This veers a little further into the world of politics than it does business— nonetheless, it’s still some really interesting food for thought. What do you think?

On a certain level, gender parity in government is an issue of democratic legitimacy: Women are a majority of the American electorate, and yet we have less female representation in government than most of the planet. (In a recent United Nations study of proportional gender representation in government, the U.S. ranked 78th, tied with Turkmenistan.)But according to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand — who has campaigned heavily for other female candidates in this election cycle and is likely to win reelection against a female opponent — the lack of skirts in the Senate is more than a symbolic concern. “My own experience in Congress is when women are on committees and at hearings, the nature of the discussion is different, and the outcomes are better — we reach better solutions, better decisions are made,” she said a year ago. But in this election, with only eighteen women competing for seats, there’s hardly going to be a longer line at the Senate gallery’s ladies room; the House raceis more optimistic, with 163 women on the ticket.

fuckyeahbookarts: nevver: Household Hints Oh dear! So glad...

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:07:29 -0500

fuckyeahbookarts:

nevver:

Household Hints

Oh dear!

So glad it’s 2012. Hope all you ladies went out and voted today!

Happy Friday, darlings!

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:49:37 -0400

Happy Friday, darlings!

Happy International Day of the Girl!

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:29:53 -0400

10/11/12 is the first ever International Day of the Girl— a day established by the United Nations for us to protect girls’ rights and continue the push for equality.

Awesome article featuring IBC 2012!

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:26:11 -0400

Landing A Job: 10 Things To Do In College That Will Make You More Hirable

This past weekend I had the privilege to attendHarvard University’s Women in Business Intercollegiate Business Convention 2012and the Brown University/Rhode Island School of Design-sponsoredA Better World by Design Conference 2012. Between both of these conferences, I met people from Facebook, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Arnold Worldwide, Digitas, Novartis, Mullen, Teach for America, NBC, Credit Suisse, Oliver Wyman, Google, McKinsey, Bain, NYU Stern School of Business, Tuck, HBS, Maternova, Cleverhood, and Creative Placement.

These people now have a person in mind when they read my resume, and I also have their direct contact information. The first thing I did after attending panels and breakout sessions was to whip out my blackberry and connect with the speakers on LinkedIn. They accepted the connections immediately, and now I have several message threads being exchanged back and forth from the companies that I want to work for.

Plus, you usually get a lot of awesome swag at these conferences, and you probably won’t have to go to Staples for at least two years.

Thanks, Campus Companion, for the awesome plug! We’re so glad you enjoyed the conference and hope many girls will have the chance to do the same in the future.

Have you ladies seen our photos from the WIB Weekend Kickoff party?

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:49:00 -0400

Have you ladies seen our photos from the WIB Weekend Kickoff party?:

Check out the link above to flip through the album on Facebook!

P.S. Speaking of Facebook… have you liked us on Facebook yet?

"You can look at the plus side, or you can look at the minus side. We can look at the problems of the..."

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 14:36:12 -0400

““You can look at the plus side, or you can look at the minus side. We can look at the problems of the world, or we can look at the potential possibilities.””

- Donna Karan of DKNY at Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business’s Intercollegiate Business Convention 2012

"I really believe we have to put design and philanthropy together. I can dress people all day long,..."

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 14:32:37 -0400

““I really believe we have to put design and philanthropy together. I can dress people all day long, but unless I address the issues we’re living with today, I cannot be a designer.””

- Donna Karan of DKNY at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Intercollegiate Business Convention

Is it just me, or is IBC 2012 INCREDIBLE?

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 13:08:01 -0400

Congratulations Rena, Team IBC, and all of our WIB ladies— the hard work is paying off!

Totes on totes on totes— for our lovely IBC attendees!

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:08:56 -0400

Totes on totes on totes— for our lovely IBC attendees!

IBC attendees— want to enter to win an adorable WIB...

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:07:15 -0400

IBC attendees— want to enter to win an adorable WIB Weekend tank top? Follow HUWIB on Tumblr, and reblog this post! P.S. Increase your chances of winning by finding us on Facebook (/HUWIB) and Twitter (@HUWIB). These tanks will also be for sale at our conference on Saturday!