Alumni Reception 10/12/18

by Meghan Miller

On October 12th, Women in Business held its inaugural alumni reception in Buttrick Hall. Over coffee and bagels, the room buzzed with vibrant energy as alumni and current WIB members bonded over topics of business and female empowerment.  Many of the alumni shared stories about their own experiences at Vanderbilt and the growth that they had been a part of in leading the charge to establish the university’s WIB chapter.  Former president and founder of Vanderbilt WIB, Sasha Pines, was thrilled to see how large the organization had become in terms of not only sheer volume but also programming and events.  She and several other alumni/members of WIB also revealed their recently launched website “Aspire to Her”, an online community of young business women that seek to offer advice, support, and friendship to one another.  With a foundation similar to Women in Business, Pines’ website has continued to support female empowerment, particularly, in world of business, on a platform that extends beyond an individual’s university years.

In addition, many members were able to gain valuable insight and advice regarding their own job search.  Alumni were quick to provide the pros and cons of their respective industries and functions, allowing for current members to gain a real picture of what it’s like to be in a given role.

Overall, the event was an opportunity for alumni to reminisce on their college days, while offering meaningful advice and support to college women currently navigating the initial steps of their professional careers.  The event was well-liked by all who attended, and the WIB team has already begun to think about planning next year’s alumni reception!