During Women’s History Month, St. Joseph H.S. in Brooklyn hosted a Women’s Professional Day. More than 60 women professionals – including entrepreneurs, forensic scientists, artists, doctors, and professors – shared their experiences with the students.
“People’s talks can motivate you,” said Kaily Figueroa, senior. “Things like that are very inspirational because when we go through hard times, we can know that we can also do it.”
She was grateful for the full-day career day because it exposed her to different career fields that she would not normally think about.
The day began with Attorney Margarita Ramos, Bank of America’s senior vice president of Global HR compliance, giving her keynote address at St. Boniface Church. She stressed that education is key to succeed and that dreams can sometimes be blueprints for the future, if one makes the effort to make them possible.
“I’m not big fan of using the term luck … I don’t’ believe in it,” Ramos said. “I believe that hard work and faith – which is a form of daydreaming in my book — informs our fate in life.”
Students found Ramos’ talk about her family’s history inspiring and empowering.
“I really liked her message about dreaming and I really liked how she showed the struggle” to become successful, said Michelle Unigarro, senior. “She showed how through hard work you can make it. She exemplifies what it is to be a dreamer and to reach success.”
After the keynote speaker, students heard from 60 other professionals in a small-group setting. During the wrap-up session the professional women gave students advice on how to persevere, succeed in the workforce and value all aspects of life.
Many panelists said there are always new things to learn, even when things don’t go smoothly at a job. These could be used as opportunities to learn, do their best and give Glory to God.
“A principle that helps me in my career, in my life, is ‘everything works together for good for those who love the Lord,’” said Masha Pasenchek, a project manager at a construction company. “If you are doing your best and you are working hard … Then all things will work together for good.”
She said that is fine to figure out what they want to measure their success by – as opposed to how the world measures success in money, titles or status. For her, success is being able to make a difference in someone else’s life. She does that by helping children with HIV in India during her vacations.
Sister Joan Gallagher, C.S.J., principal, said the annual event is an opportunity for the students to interact with successful, intelligent and strong-minded women, talking about their challenges and triumphs.
“They remained faithful to their dreams and it is the faith in God that allows them to dream and live that out,” she said.
*Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled a name of the caption, the forensic scientist speaking to students is Joanna Schlesser.
