Listen to Women’s LEAD: Supporting Young Women in Business with Ravnoor Virk and Katrina Walker
Life doesn’t come with a guidebook, and for young individuals, particularly women stepping into the workforce, the navigation can be overwhelming. Organizations like Young Women in Business (YWiB) play a crucial and impactful role in this scenario. They have established a community for emerging women leaders and young professionals seeking to forge their own paths. This community has expanded to nine chapters across Canada, boasting over 1,000 members and 200 mentors.
YWiB originated in 2008 when a group of UBC students noticed a lack of women as speakers and a lack of initiatives addressing the unique needs of young women in the workplace. Despite some progress, a noticeable absence of women speakers persists at various industry events, especially in certain sectors. Organizations like YWiB actively contribute to this changing landscape.
Through their programming, YWiB organizes events and programs connecting members with industry women in an empowering space of guidance and support. These women generously share their unique lived experiences, showcasing the potential of what can be achieved. Many individuals feel lost when starting or advancing their careers. By sharing stories, YWiB sparks curiosity among its members, helping them discover vast opportunities in different industries and the varied starting points taken by different women. Life is an ongoing learning journey, with lessons at every stage. Exposing young women to a network of industry professionals nurtures key relationships that lead to mentorship, sponsorship, and future career opportunities.
In my conversation with Ravnoor (Rav) Kirk and Katrina (Kat) Walker, working students and Co-Presidents of the YWiB BCIT Chapter, I was reminded of the crucial role women play in uplifting young women and girls. This role has ripple effects for future generations, leaving an everlasting impact. I found inspiration in how Rav and Kat manage priorities, support each other, and contribute to the growth, community, empowerment, collaboration, and fun within the YWiB community and beyond.
Managing Priorities:
- Allow yourself time to sit in peace and determine your values and sources of joy. Be intentional about what fills your cup to set boundaries.
- Don’t say yes at the expense of yourself. Trust your gut and intuition; they are always right. Make decisions that truly resonate with you.
- Say yes because you are passionate about it. Differentiate between obligations and genuine reasons.
- Get outside your comfort zone and take the leap. Experiment with various activities to discover what energizes you. When you find that source of energy, the work feels like your true calling.
Building a Supportive Community:
- Success is tied to who you surround yourself with. Network to broaden your knowledge and relationships; engage in more conversations to discover what’s available for you.
- Establish a brave space to hold each other accountable and seek help. Embrace feedback without taking it personally, including the behaviors of others. Have the courage to speak your mind and engage in healthy disagreements.
Cultivating Self-growth and Growth in Community:
- Create opportunities to discover your calling, as they may not always come to you.
- Celebrate wins by documenting them in a "win" folder or notebook. During moments of self-doubt, this will serve as a reminder of your accomplishments.
- Focus on yourself rather than worrying about others' opinions. People are busy and not constantly thinking about your actions.
- Embrace a growth mindset and don’t fear failure. Learn from failures and continuously challenge yourself to enhance your skills.
- Actively pursue opportunities to expand your knowledge. Attend events and workshops, listen to different stories, and ask questions to better understand what resonates with you.
Through YWiB, members are exposed to opportunities, skills, and networks, offering valuable leadership experiences. Rav and Kat, as Co-Presidents of Young Women in Business (YWiB) BCIT, contribute to a promising future for women in the workplace.
As women, we must recall that we were once in the same position and be patient with young women and all young people to understand their perspectives.
