Fordham SWS inducts 36 new members

Event Recaps , Smart Woman Securities , Stories , Student Organizations & Clubs Students | Dec 03, 2012 | Nicole Gesualdo

by Claire Smith (GSB ’12)

Fordham’s chapter of Smart Woman Securities is most definitely a growth operation.

Last week, the group inducted 36 new associates — the organization’s title for new members — at an official ceremony. This was one of the largest associate classes since Fordham’s chapter was founded in 2009.

Getting in was no small task: To become associates, students were required to attend the entire weekly Fall Seminar Series, earn a Bloomberg certification, complete at least five hours of community service and present an investment project in front of a panel of finance professionals.

In attendance to honor them on the completion of these objectives were Dean Rapaccioli, faculty advisor Professor Rosa Romeo and keynote speaker Patricia David (GSB ’81), a managing director and global head of diversity at JPMorgan Chase. I had the opportunity to meet Ms. David this past summer during my internship at the firm, and I happily extended to her the keynote invitation.

Ms. David’s presentation focused on women in the business world, specifically the challenges that women face and how they can overcome those challenges to propel their careers. She spoke from personal experience about the way in which women typically manage their careers and how they function in male-dominated industries.

Ms. David highlighted common mistakes women make in business settings that weaken their power and influence in business. For example, she mentioned that women avoid negotiation regarding compensation and promotion, which is a barrier to growth. Furthermore, she noted that women tend to apologize for things needlessly, which shows weakness. Ms. David enlightened students on how to be direct and confident and how to overcome stereotypes. She also provided networking tips and ways to advance one’s career through a combination of hard work and the building of professional relationships.

Additionally, Ms. David generously gave each new associate a copy of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office 101: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers, by Lois P. Frankel, and took extra time to speak individually with the SWS members after the ceremony. Our organization was honored to play host to such an educational, engaging and inspiring speaker.

Photographs courtesy of the writer.