Moving Up
Programs Build Skills for Young Professionals
Two Bentley programs — one with a 16-year track record, one brand new — are at the starting gate to help professionals in the first decade of their working lives.
The annual Gearing Up conference is hosted by the Center for Women and Business (CWB) and takes place virtually on June 10. Designed for women and nonbinary individuals, it engages the twin engines of career development: networking and mentoring.
“We want people to have the tools and confidence they need to thrive in a long-term career,” says Becky McDougal, CWB’s assistant director of events.
Keynote speaker Tiffany Jana is the founder of TMI Consulting and an author of four books focused on diversity and inclusion. The day also includes learning sessions, self-reflection exercises and opportunities for group exploration. Goal-setting sessions help attendees carry lessons forward. Members of the CWB team will follow up with participants at 30, 60 and 90 days post-conference to check on progress.
“It’s action-oriented,” says McDougal. “Our goal is to help people advance and support their aspirations.”
Managing Up and Across
The second program aimed at young professionals, Strategies for Emerging Leaders, focuses on managing up and across an organization. The skill-building takes aim at one of the toughest moves a business professional can make.
“The jump from individual contributor to leader or manager is a key transition. It derails many talented, aspiring leaders,” says Lisa Dinsmore, director of Executive Education, which launches the virtual program in fall 2021.
Over five sessions, participants focus inward and outward. Topics include leveraging your own strengths and communication style to foster team work; strengthening the ability to ask for, receive and provide feedback; and learning to encourage dialogue and action around equity, diversity and inclusion. Participants leave with a five-year career plan based on their insights.
“It’s a real challenge to expand your mindset from a focus on individual work,” says Dinsmore. “We want to help people find and own their influence, power and voice in an organization.”