Empowering future business leaders at Women’s Preview Day 2016

Written by:
Kellogg
3 minute read

By Jessica Pawlarczyk

What does the Kellogg MBA experience look like for women?

What type of personal and professional support does Kellogg offer its female students?

How does Kellogg prepare women to become successful business leaders?

Close to 200 prospective students explored these crucial questions during Women’s Preview Day, an admissions event that gives women an inside look at the Kellogg MBA experience. This all-day event is co-hosted by the Kellogg Women’s Business Association (WBA), one of the largest and most active organizations on campus.

“With so many great MBA programs to choose from, I hope that Women’s Preview Day provides our attendees with the information they need to make the right decision about which school to attend,” says Jessica Gutierrez, VP of prospective outreach for the Kellogg WBA. “Many of our attendees are in the process of applying to MBA programs, so I hope this event is an accurate representation of what Kellogg is all about, and a big part of that is Kellogg’s supportive culture for women.”

During the event, prospective students had the opportunity to attend mock classes, receive career coaching from the Career Management Center, interact with current students and learn more about the admissions process.

One of the event highlights was an immersive classroom experience with Professor Brooke Vuckovic, who discussed the relationship between productive listening and successful leadership. Working in small groups, prospective students explored the benefits of mindful listening and identified personal listening weaknesses. Professor Vuckovic then shared helpful tools to improve the overall listening experience, including two acronyms: WAIT (Why Am I Talking?) and VIVID (Vent, Inform, Validate, Ideate, Direction).

She wrapped up her presentation by providing advice on boosting executive presence and explaining how a Kellogg MBA can strengthen women’s professional networks.

Kellogg expands female students’ professional networks through a variety of unique events, including:

  • Women’s Leadership Seminar – A five-week workshop full of lectures, alumni panels and guest speakers that discuss negotiation, creating a personal narrative, building a personal network and more.
  • Women’s Leadership Workshop – A conference that brings together high-potential women to build a foundation of leadership skills that will advance their personal and professional goals
  • Careers Uncorked – A WBA event that gives first-year women the opportunity to network with prestigious companies in an intimate setting
  • Alumni Dinners – Industry-specific networking dinners that connects current students with successful female alumnae

The day closed with inspiring remarks from Dean Sally Blount ’92, who shared her personal and professional leadership story and encouraged attendees to focus on choice.

“Choice matters 100 percent of the time,” she said.

She went on to explain that Kellogg is the accelerating vehicle – and ideal choice – for aspiring female business leaders who want to make a positive impact on the world.

“The Kellogg MBA will help you create lasting value,” she said. “How are you going to make a difference with your lives?”