On Tuesday March 26, 2024 students gathered in the Healey Family Student Center Social Room for GU Politics’ 7th Annual Women in Politics and Public Service Networking Event.
The evening started with a networking workshop led by Emily Lampkin, Founder of the Women Leaders Series.
Lampkin emphasized the importance of connecting with other professional women and building a supportive community, especially in Washington DC. “We’re all friends,” Lampkin said. “Women like to be together.”
She explained how building a network is important because people like to pay it forward. Lampkin also advised that women should learn how to sell themselves in professional settings.
Lampkin encouraged attendees to make a 30 second “selling you pitch” to define and distinguish themselves in competitive work environments. She offered tips on getting started and practicing at the event.
“You’re never going to get anywhere unless you take a risk,” Lampkin said.
Students then had the opportunity to engage with professional women in small group discussions. They rotated between tables that featured professionals with experience in politics, public service, media and consulting.
Tables featured experts in political communications, advocacy and organizing, as well as political strategists and women with experience on Capitol Hill and the White House. Also joining the event were current and past GU Politics Fellows including former U.S. Representative Val Demings (D-FL), writer and communications consultant Charlotte Clymer S’16 (Fall ‘21), former Political Director & Senior Advisor for Elizabeth Warren Rebecca Pearcey (Fall ‘21), and former Georgia Senate Runoff Director, Jonae Wartel (Spring ‘23).
Students were able to ask questions about the professionals’ career paths and get advice from women in the field. Everyone was excited to talk about their experiences and offer stories from their varied careers.
“Being young and in school— you don’t know what’s out there,” said Kessley Janvier (C‘25). “Coming to this gives you the chance to be open minded about different careers.”
Ashley Etienne, Former Communications Director to Vice President Kamala Harris and Spring ‘22 GU Politics Fellow, talked about finding her path in journalism and communications. She shared with students that the best advice she ever received was to “go somewhere where you are the only you.”
Alivia Roberts, Director of Federal Government Affairs at the Motion Picture Association, and Deanne Millison, Former Chief Economic Advisor in the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris and current GU Politics Fellow, talked together with students about the importance of being open to new opportunities and shared some of their unexpected career paths.
“This event was a great community to learn how to network efficiently and genuinely,” said Diana Rivas (MIDP’24), a student in the McCourt School of Public Policy.
Students got the opportunity to talk to many professionals throughout the night, and enjoyed asking questions, getting insider tips and meeting fellow students.
Elizabeth George (SFS‘24) reflected that “It was really inspiring to hear people’s stories of women mentors that really shaped their career paths.” She added that one of her takeaways was the importance of “creating a community of like minded peers and women who support you. This event was a great way to do that.”
This article was written by Jane Wright, a first-year graduate student in the McCourt School School of Public Policy.
