Career 101

You might know how to pull an all-nighter and ace an exam but how can you put the skills you learned in college to use in your first job? Career Expert Nicole Williams helps students understand how to translate their valuable college years into real time experience as they embark on their careers. She’ll also educate students on the importance of their personal brand and influence. And as LinkedIn’s career expert she’ll give them tips on how they should be using social media to enhance their career.

Balance is Bu*#@hit

Balance is one of those words like “happiness” or “fulfillment” that feels somewhat elusive. Balance is a word that conjures up feelings of guilt – thoughts of “I haven’t been to the gym in three weeks” and “What’s wrong with eating take-out five nights a week?” We are constantly flooded with information from today’s most powerful women telling us that we can’t have it all or that we are not succeeding because we’re not Lean(ing) In to our careers. So what’s a working mom to do (aside from pull the covers over her head and give in before the day has even begun)? Here, Career Expert Nicole Williams will give you the strategies to help you set realistic expectations, hone your focus and hopefully get it all done—though not at the same time.

Balance is Bu*#@hit

Social networking has changed the way we engage, mobilize and network with clients, customers and each other. This talk will explore the latest social networking tools and offer tips on how you can successfully utilize this whole new world of networking (whether you know what Twitter is or not) by engaging and mobilizing people and initiatives. Whether you are leading a non-profit, embarking on a new career or growing a corporation, this session offers something for everyone.

The New Era of Networking

Social networking has changed the way we engage, mobilize and network with clients, customers and each other. This talk will explore the latest social networking tools and offer tips on how you can successfully utilize this whole new world of networking (whether you know what Twitter is or not) by engaging and mobilizing people and initiatives. Whether you are leading a non-profit, embarking on a new career or growing a corporation, this session offers something for everyone.

Get Lucky! How Preparation Can Change the Course of Your Career

There’s an expression when it comes to the world of work: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." In today’s economy, as “opportunity” continues to remain relatively stagnant, the hands-down most critical thing you can do to change the course of your career is to up your "preparation" game. If you want to get lucky, you need to make connections, build recommendations, follow industry trends and get the inside scoop on the companies you’re interested in (and competing with). This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies around how to turn your luck around and will also explore how LinkedIn can help you propel your career to the next level, one connection at a time.

The Networking Divide: How Men and Women Make—and Keep—Their Connections

It's a scene that plays out in every office I’ve worked in. A woman uncomfortably approaches me to ask for a raise. I say no. She wonders what's wrong with her. A man confidently approaches me to ask for a raise. I say no. He wonders what's wrong with me. This is a critical insight into the difference between men and women in the workplace.

In addition to their ability to externalize feedback (and consequently take more risk), men also cast a wider net when networking. Women, on the other hand, use their ability to build relationships and empathize to create a stronger Rolodex and take a deeper dive when it comes to making connections. While the playing field has certainly become more level, the differences between men and women continue to be pronounced. In this talk we examine the differences between the genders and focus on what we can learn from each other.