In just a year and a half, Stanford Women in Business has developed into a well-known and innovative student organization. In the midst of this exciting growth, we reflect on successes and next steps.
Successes
From it's inception in 2006, Stanford Women in Business has sought to provide unique, new, powerful opportunities for aspiring businesswomen as well as meaningful events & content for the larger Stanford community.
One of the challenges for an organization with such a broad mission is the importance of maintaining balance between in-depth, focused content that provides members with a business 'toolkit' versus providing events that address the diverse interests of a large number of students. SWIB meets the demand for in-depth business training through options including Business 101 workshops, an Associate program with business-related courses, and a Read to Lead book club that focuses on business and strategy books. In order to focus on a broader set of interests and non-traditional careers, SWIB Event Directors seek mentors and guest speakers from industries and career paths that fall outside of traditional business career paths. SWIB continues to attract members and student organizations that can benefit from business content despite an eventual career in another field. For example, SWIB has collaborated with engineering and law organizations to host conferences that grapple with issues relevant for anyone building a career or networking.
As SWIB expands its membership, we face the increasingly difficult challenge of establishing a sense of community. In 2008-09, community focus will be a key priority, with greater emphasis on 'just-for-fun' events, interactive web options, and incentives for regular attendance and participation. The SWIB philanthropy arm, driven by Lillian Tsay, has offered fantastic opportunities for SWIB women to spend time with their peers in an informal context. The Media corner & Events Blog on the website give additional flavor for the community building that goes on within Stanford Women in Business.
Next Steps
Stanford Women in Business is well-positioned for the next stage of growth. With committed members, enthusiasm from sponsors, and a terrific Advisory Board, SWIB priorities for 2008-09 include increasing membership, providing incentives for participation and community-building, and increasing visibility in the larger community. If you'd like to be involved, look for new event offerings, pilot programs, and leadership roles in the coming months!