By Alexandra Patchen

 

“Our mission is to provide authentic hospitality by making a difference in the lives of the people we touch every day.” While this is the Grand Hyatt’s motto, it can be equally applied to New York Women in Communications’ mission as well. The Grand Hyatt proved to be the perfect forum to host NYWICI’s 2011 Student Communications Career Conference, “Build Your Career Toolkit,” which took place Nov. 19 and was hosted by the New York Women in Communications Foundation. The grandeur of the Grand Hyatt matched the brilliance of the marketing, advertising and public relations luminaries who graced attendees with their wisdom, business acumen and approachability.

 

Attendees understood that networking is now the primary method of landing a job in lieu of today’s economic turmoil. Knowing that this would be the opportunity of a lifetime, crowds of students and young professionals converged early on a Saturday morning, not bleary eyed but with a sharpness and excitement, as if they were awaiting a concert at Madison Square Garden. And the speakers did not disappoint.

 

Keynote speaker Ann Shoket, rock star of the magazine world and editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine, stressed the importance of passion, patience, endurance and hard work in pursuing a chosen career path. By explaining her career trajectory, she was injecting hope and aspiration into the rapt crowd. When Ann recalled her long-winded path to Seventeen, she inspired those who wished to follow in her footsteps, regardless of job constriction or employment reports.

 

The spellbound audience next proceeded to divide up into smaller groups and attend a series of panels that aligned with their specific career interests. Every aspect of the communications industry was covered, with marketing, social media, advertising, graphic design, book publishing and everything in between was spotlighted. Experts from around the country were happy to offer detailed advice and career tips on getting a foot in the door. Internships and the search for the individualized differentiator were stressed, which are known factors in landing that crucial entry level job. Panelists also offered valuable insight on the challenges associated with maintaining a work-life balance, whether working at an agency or in-house. While work-life balance and work culture may not initially figure to be a factor to someone young, who is dying to get into communications, panelists were providing much needed guidance in establishing a long-term fruitful career.

 

The final panel was definitely the capstone of the day: Attendees picked the brains of human resources executives from top companies to understand the exact traits and experience that are necessary to compete in the competitive communications industry. By the end of the day, students and young professionals gained the inside-scoop on succeeding in an industry that is ever-changing. They may have come into the conference as one of thousands of aspiring communication stars — but they came out as communicators.