Readers had an amazing threadjack some time in the past about one of the best networking occasions for girls, and I assumed we’d spherical up a few of their responses and open the ground for an even bigger dialogue. The preliminary request was for “inside girls occasions for attorneys, future summer season associates, and so forth. — as in, what sort of occasions we might attend and assist. I’m interested in others’ ideas – have you ever attended any occasions like this that have been a success? Any you hated? That is for a gaggle of 10-15.”
Previously, we’ve mentioned whether or not female-only networking teams SHOULD be a factor… and a few readers HATE them, whereas others have had nice experiences and met cheerleaders and mentors. However we’ve by no means actually mentioned, when you’re GOING to have a female-only networking group, WHAT to do on the occasion. (Moreover, issues could have modified a bit in recent times, as work has gone distant or hybrid and folks should be reluctant to do indoor occasions.) So let’s focus on!
And once more, earlier than we get began, needless to say not everybody likes networking occasions for girls, in any respect. One commenter famous that she hated all the girls networking occasions she’d been to, saying: “I need to be invited to the occasions the boys attend and be meaningfully included in these.”
A number of readers particularly hate all stereotypically female occasions, particularly if males’s occasions or common firm/agency occasions aren’t equally themed.
I really feel like that is actually arduous to do with out leaning into cringey sexist stereotypes. Spa day, mani/pedis, arts n crafts, boutique purchasing — BARF. No legislation agency in 2023 must be endorsing the concept “X [legally protected class of people] actually likes [stereotypical activity associated with that group]!”
The Greatest Networking Occasions for Girls: Reader’s Experiences
Internet hosting a speaker to speak a few discrete matter, in addition to her profession path.
In my discipline, we had nice success for a lunch sequence the place a special speaker (lady) was invited/launched at every one and gave some intro discuss their work/profession path and normally with a quick presentation a few helpful matter / studying level after which a query/reply session. Throughout the finish dialogue, they answered questions on something, and we frequently bought into very helpful life/profession administration discussions. It was nice for networking, discovering potential mentors and was a free lunch.
Tea at a flowery lodge: One reader (who wasn’t a fan usually of ladies networking occasions) did word that her favourite occasion was a tea at a flowery lodge close to the workplace that “had no agenda. It was nearly as enjoyable because the observe group vacation meal at a restaurant that included everybody.”
Drinks at a flowery boutique (the place you COULD store, however don’t need to)
A personal tour of a museum, adopted by drinks
Wine tasting (though it could exclude individuals who don’t or can’t drink for no matter motive)
Spa occasions: These have been essentially the most cited by the readers, however opinions have been VERY divided — as readers identified, males have been both irritated they weren’t invited, or else they seemed down on the ladies attending the occasion as a result of they have been “losing a day.” (One other reader instantly stated “completely not.”)
On the professional facet, although, some folks did have nice experiences at a spa! One reader famous:
We did a flowery spa afternoon, with one service, therapeutic massage or facial or mani pedi coated by my firm. They successfully purchased out the spa, so it was solely colleagues in all of the facilities and firm additionally supplied mild snacks. males have been additionally allowed to affix nevertheless it was clearly being provided to counter steadiness all of the sporting occasions. It was unbelievable. Additionally confirmed {that a} $400 therapeutic massage is absolutely not that totally different from a $150 one! We additionally do quite a lot of boutique health courses, generally via the ladies’s group, generally open to all.
What Not to Do at Networking Occasions for Girls
Don’t solely handle parenting points. Some readers famous that they have been actually delay when “girls’s networking occasions” solely targeted on work/life steadiness and childcare points — they famous that these occasions ought to have been introduced as occasions for dad and mom, with fathers invited and included as properly.
Notably in BigLaw or different intense jobs, readers famous, quite a lot of the ladies go away earlier than they’ve children — so these sorts of occasions actually weren’t relevant. As one commenter famous: “In case your lens for caring for feminine staff solely addresses balancing work with parenthood, then you definately aren’t addressing the wants of your junior colleagues.”
Don’t pull folks out of different networking alternatives to do women-only networking. As one reader described: “they did a ‘separate however not equal’ method the place time is taken away from bigger occasions occurring and narrows networking alternatives, i.e., lunch networking that pulls you away from bigger networking lunch or a pre-conference breakfast that pulls you away from assembly with shoppers.”
Don’t do occasions that educate girls methods to community like males, equivalent to {golfing}. “At my previous agency, they organized a golf occasion to assist girls study to community. I believe that was dumb. You’re not going to be networking with males the way in which that males do. In the event you already occur to be good at golf, possibly, nevertheless it goes towards being genuine. I’d by no means study to select up golf to community. Nothing could possibly be extra lame.”
Don’t solely handle make-up, garments, and floral preparations (!). One reader remembered:
Simply don’t be my previous agency, the place such occasions included “floral preparations”, “new tendencies in make-up”, and a few form of mindfulness workshop (which was okay I suppose, however form of stated when you’re burdened, it is best to handle your stress higher). After I advised workshops extra geared to succeeding in a male dominated occupation, I used to be instructed the committee “wasn’t political”. Ugh.
Readers, over to you: In the event you’re making an attempt to plan a networking occasion for girls, what are one of the best actions or themes? Do you favor easy actions equivalent to a frequently scheduled lunch? (In the event you hate the very concept of networking occasions for girls, would you go to something?)
Inventory picture by way of Deposit Pictures / diego_cervo.
