The Seidman College of Business is one of many academic programs at Grand Valley State University and with over 3,000 students enrolled in the 2022-2023 academic year, 38.6% were women, according to their website.
With business being a male-dominated field, the Women in Club (WIB) was formed with the hope of combating some of the challenges women face in the field through connecting peers at a professional and personal level.
“Women in Business encourages professional development, networking, leadership and breaking the glass ceiling one woman at a time,” states WIB’s mission statement.
The club pursues this mission through biweekly meetings, events and programming catered towards business careers: resume building, financial panels, life crafting and interview prep.
Professional experience, though extremely important, is not the club’s sole purpose. Instead, the club aims to serve as a business and social networking hub where women can make friends with those who share similar career aspirations and goals.
“This club serves to support, nurture and develop talented women and future leaders,” said Julianne Browning, co-marketing chair and club member. “The club gives women the opportunity to connect with one another and build friendships, while also doing professional development, community service and networking in our future career paths.”
Aside from social networking and career-focused events, philanthropy is also important to the club. WIB’s members volunteer at local nonprofits and wish to give back to the community.
“I love that we help our community out and that we volunteer at Kids Food Basket,” Browning said. “It makes me so happy that I am helping to leave a positive mark on the Grand Rapids area with my friends. We have so much fun sorting out the food and preparing it for distribution.”
The different aspects of WIB aim to foster a community where women can excel not only in their professional lives but in their personal lives as well.
“I’ve found that I’ve become a lot more confident and outgoing,” said club member Sydney Lim. “(I’m) not afraid to speak up and (I’ve) become more curious about what GV has to offer by going to different events that interest me.”
The club aims to gauge members’ goals and appeal to the various interests of its members. WIB’s president, Makensey Massey, said to ensure members get the experience they want out of club involvement, everyone votes on which social events will be held.
For instance, the club is planning a trip this semester to Plante Moran, a local accounting, tax, consulting and wealth management firm in Grand Rapids. WIB will meet in Plante Moran’s office space, get a chance to ask questions from panelists and see a tour of the facility.
Additionally. WIB’s vice president, Emily Butkowski said the club has allowed her to develop both in her career and personal life.
“Women in Business has prepared me for a successful transition into the professional world and helped me develop my network of connections and create friendships with women that push me toward success,” Butkowski said. “Being a part of such a supportive community has boosted my confidence and motivated me to take chances in the business world that I would not have done on my own.”
