FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU CAREER EVENT LOOKS TO BREAK GENDER BARRIERS

‘Getting a Life: Women Connecting for Career Options’ Takes Place October 25

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, October 16, 2003 — San Diego State University will host afternoon of workshops for female college students contemplating occupations traditionally dominated by men such as engineering, banking, corporate management and politics, on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event, called “Getting a Life: Women Connecting for Career Options,” will provide students with the opportunity to network one-on-one with dozens of local businesswomen who will share their experiences on how they built their careers. Featured attendees include Kimberley Layton (community and corporate relations director, San Diego Chargers), Izzy Tihanyi (Surf Diva co-founder), Rulette Armstead (Assistant Chief of Police, San Diego), Pamela Magnus (architect), Pam Wayne (CEO of the company Neospine and president of Compounding Centers Pharmaceuticals), and more.

“It’s important for female students to realize that there really are no boundaries when it comes to their potential career options,” said event organizer Doreen Mattingly, SDSU associate professor and undergraduate advisor in the Women’s Studies Department. “By meeting local women who made it in their respective fields, SDSU’s future alumna can be empowered to go after their dreams, whatever they may be.”

The keynote address at 1 p.m. will be presented by Midge Costanza, special Women’s Issues advisor to Governor Gray Davis, followed by panel discussions with local business leaders who will offer tips on job hunting, networking and resume skills for their respective careers.

Gail Naughton, Dean for SDSU’s College of Business and former founder and president of Advanced Tissue Sciences, is among the list of panelists to speak at the event. She attributes family support to her career successes. “I was fortunate to be raised by parents who taught me and my brother the same values – that we can achieve anything we want as long as we persevere and have a passion for our dreams. However, many women today don’t have that kind of support and we want them to know it’s there.”

Getting a Life is a collaboration between SDSU’s Women’s Studies Department, Career Services, the Freshman Success Program, local business leaders, and SDSU students enrolled in the Women’s Studies’ course, “Women’s Work.”

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since its founding in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 79 areas, master's degrees in 67 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 34,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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