Readers had an awesome threadjack some time in the past about the perfect networking occasions for girls, and I assumed we’d spherical up a few of their responses and open the ground for a much bigger dialogue. The preliminary request was for “inner girls occasions for attorneys, future summer season associates, and many others. — as in, what sort of occasions we’d attend and assist. I’m interested in others’ ideas – have you ever attended any occasions like this that had been a success? Any you hated? That is for a gaggle of 10-15.”
Up to now, 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, in case you’re GOING to have a female-only networking group, WHAT to do on the occasion. (Moreover, issues might have modified a bit lately, as work has gone distant or hybrid and folks should still be reluctant to do indoor occasions.) So let’s talk about!
And once more, earlier than we get began, take into account that 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 lads 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 onerous to do with out leaning into cringey sexist stereotypes. Spa day, mani/pedis, arts n crafts, boutique buying — BARF. No regulation agency in 2023 ought to 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 area, we had nice success for a lunch sequence the place a distinct speaker (lady) was invited/launched at each and gave some intro speak about their work/profession path and normally with a short presentation a few helpful matter / studying level after which a query/reply session. In the course of the finish dialogue, they answered questions on something, and we frequently obtained into very helpful life/profession administration discussions. It was nice for networking, discovering potential mentors and was a free lunch.
Tea at a elaborate lodge: One reader (who wasn’t a fan on the whole of ladies networking occasions) did observe that her favourite occasion was a tea at a elaborate lodge close to the workplace that “had no agenda. It was virtually as enjoyable because the observe group vacation meal at a restaurant that included everybody.”
Drinks at a elaborate boutique (the place you COULD store, however don’t must)
A personal tour of a museum, adopted by drinks
Wine tasting (though it will exclude individuals who don’t or can’t drink for no matter cause)
Spa occasions: These had been essentially the most cited by the readers, however opinions had been VERY divided — as readers identified, males had been both aggravated they weren’t invited, or else they appeared down on the ladies attending the occasion as a result of they had been “losing a day.” (One other reader instantly mentioned “completely not.”)
On the professional facet, although, some individuals did have nice experiences at a spa! One reader famous:
We did a elaborate spa afternoon, with one service, therapeutic massage or facial or mani pedi lined by my firm. They successfully purchased out the spa, so it was solely colleagues in all of the facilities and firm additionally supplied gentle snacks. males had been additionally allowed to hitch nevertheless it was clearly being provided to counter stability all of the sporting occasions. It was unbelievable. Additionally confirmed {that a} $400 therapeutic massage is actually not that completely different from a $150 one! We additionally do a number of boutique health lessons, typically by the ladies’s group, typically open to all.
What Not to Do at Networking Occasions for Girls
Don’t solely tackle parenting points. Some readers famous that they had been actually delay when “girls’s networking occasions” solely centered on work/life stability and childcare points — they famous that these occasions ought to have been introduced as occasions for mother and father, with fathers invited and included as effectively.
Significantly in BigLaw or different intense jobs, readers famous, a number 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 taking good care of feminine workers solely addresses balancing work with parenthood, then you definitely aren’t addressing the wants of your junior colleagues.”
Don’t pull individuals out of different networking alternatives to do women-only networking. As one reader described: “they did a ‘separate however not equal’ strategy 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 purchasers.”
Don’t do occasions that train girls the best way to community like males, equivalent to {golfing}. “At my outdated agency, they organized a golf occasion to assist girls be taught to community. I feel that was dumb. You’re not going to be networking with males the way in which that males do. For those who already occur to be good at golf, possibly, nevertheless it goes in opposition to being genuine. I might by no means be taught to choose up golf to community. Nothing could possibly be extra lame.”
Don’t solely tackle make-up, garments, and floral preparations (!). One reader remembered:
Simply don’t be my outdated agency, the place such occasions included “floral preparations”, “new tendencies in make-up”, and a few type of mindfulness workshop (which was okay I suppose, however type of mentioned in case you’re burdened, it is best to handle your stress higher). Once I prompt workshops extra geared to succeeding in a male dominated occupation, I used to be informed the committee “wasn’t political”. Ugh.
Readers, over to you: For those who’re attempting to plan a networking occasion for girls, what are the perfect actions or themes? Do you like easy actions equivalent to a usually scheduled lunch? (For those who hate the very concept of networking occasions for girls, would you go to something?)
Inventory photograph by way of Deposit Pictures / diego_cervo.
