Kick-start your career

Theresa M. Szczurek //March 30, 2010//

Kick-start your career

Theresa M. Szczurek //March 30, 2010//

Wendy Reynolds, Senior Vice President of Flatirons Bank, benefited from winning the Business and Professional Women (BPW) Young Careerist program. It was a spring board that moved her corporate career forward. Megan Shellman, founder of Simple Synergy Consulting, will tell you how winning the Young Careerist program in 2008 helped her develop the vision and confidence to start her firm, Simple Synergy Consulting. As the 1986 BPW/Colorado Young Careerist, I personally found support through BPW to successfully pursue my entrepreneurial dream and take the company I had co-founded, Radish Communications Systems, from $0 to where we sold it for over $40M in less than six years.

The Business and Professional Women’s Young Careerist Program highlights and celebrates the achievements of Colorado women between the ages of 21 and 35 who are or have been employed in business or the professions with at least one (1) year of full-time work experience and who support the mission, vision, and legislative platform of BPW. BPW, founded in 1919, merged with BPW Foundation last year, and carries on the mission to promote full participation, equity, and economic self-sufficiency for working women. BPW has been a leader in passing much of the landmark civil and women’s rights legislation of the 20th century. Act now and get involved, here’s how:

Spread the word and encourage a young professional to apply. YC applications are due no later than 5pm on April 2, 2010. More information at www.BoulderBPW.org

Attend. The Young Careerist Program will take place on April 15, 2010 between 5:00-8:30pm at A Spice of Life Event Center at 5706 Arapahoe Road in Boulder. The public is invited. Hear five Young Careerists’ inspiring speeches. Participate in a networking exercise and meet others who can help your business (bring lots of business cards)! Connect with exhibitors and sponsors. Raise funds to support women’s economic self-sufficiency. Enjoy good food and fellowship! Participate in the Boulder BPW meeting and learn how you can help yourself and working women. Register at www.BoulderBPW.org

Support Women’s Self-Sufficiency. The funds raised at the April 15th Young Careerist events will support local non-profit organizations which enrich women’s lives through education including the YWCA, Colorado BPW Education Foundation, and other advancement of women programs that fulfill this mission.

Participate and Receive Benefits. Bonni Doherty, 2009 Boulder BPW Young Careerist and Executive Fitness Coach and CEO of BonniWellness, shares, “There are many benefits from participating: Participants receive opportunities for:
• personal and professional development through public speaking, resume writing, interviewing, and group interaction
• networking including meeting BPW members, judges, other candidates, and learning about BPW
• learning about the issues facing working women.
• visibility through the media and community for herself and her employer.
• making a difference. Participants will be part of a nation-wide network of Young Careerists dedicated to achieving equity for working women.
• participation in BPW. Every candidate gets a discount on BPW membership and the winner receives a full one-year membership in Boulder BPW.”

Meet the Judges. Wendy Reynolds, senior vice president, Flatirons Bank, Jerry Lewis formerly publisher/editor of the Boulder County Business Report, and Sue Deans, retired editor and vice president of the Daily Camera, will serve on a panel to judge the Young Careerist competition. Judging is based on the Young Careerist representative’s career achievements and ability to project an image that reflects the role of today’s young work force in society. Young Careerist representatives are judged on four phases of competition: written biographical information, personal interview, group interaction, and prepared speeches. The delivery of a four-minute speech will be held during the Boulder BPW meeting before members, guests, and the judges.

Become an Exhibitor or Sponsor. Flatirons Bank is a corporate sponsor of Boulder BPW. The Boulder County Business Report and www.w3w3.com are media sponsors of Boulder BPW. The growing number of table sponsors include: Colorado BPW Education Foundation, Technology and Management Solutions, and many others. Additional exhibitors include: Arbonne International, Wristicles, Purse Power, and others. Exhibits and sponsorships are going fast, contact [email protected]

Support the young professionals in your life. I hope to see you at the 4/15 Young Careerist program and networking night.

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