IU alumni to give networking advice Tuesday

Women will have the opportunity to hone their networking skills by talking one-on-one with professionals who have excelled in their careers.\nThe Student Alumni Association and Career Development Center will host Women in Careers Networking Night on Tuesday in the Kelley Dining Room of the DeVault Alumni Center. \nStarting at 6:30 p.m., a panel featuring IU alumni and other professionals will speak to students about challenges they have faced, a typical day of work and general information about their careers, said Nick Baker, director of events for the Student Alumni Association. \nPanelists include Jennifer Mayer, team leader at Target in Bloomington; Mary Sugg Lovejoy, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with the Monroe County Community School Corporation; Rebecca Linehan, unit director of Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington; and Janet Josway, vice president of Aon Consulting. \nFollowing the discussion, students will have the opportunity to eat and talk to the panelists individually.\n“The whole goal of the program is to let the students practice networking,” Baker said. “We want to make sure students feel comfortable going up to someone and introducing themselves and carrying on a small conversation with them. The Student Alumni Association, along with the Career Development Center, feels like that is a valuable experience for students coming out of college.” \nAlmost every other Tuesday, the Student Alumni Association and Career Development Center host networking nights with various career themes. The final networking night of the fall semester will be Nov. 6 and cover careers in arts and entertainment. \nThe Women in Careers Networking Night, which is free to all IU students, will last until 8:30 p.m., but students are free to leave after the 45-minute panel discussion. The dress code is business casual, and students who are interested should make a reservation online at iucareers.com. \n“It should be a great opportunity for young women to hear about women who are leaders in their fields,” said Erin Erwin, associate director for the Career Development Center.