While Creative Ink is a professional environment for Stephens women to gain real-world marketing experience, we are also focused on using our resources to link them to real business professionals. Each semester, business professionals, typically women that our CI team members can relate to, come into our office to discuss their triumphs, failures and insight to the marketing industry.

This fall, we have been fortunate to have had many successful, professional women in to share their experiences with us. The list of speakers include:

-Sarah Skaggs, Executive Director of Missouri Citizens for the Arts

-Kris Lensmeyer-Leshner, Fresh Ideas

-Lili Vianello, Vision Works

The most recent guest we welcomed to Stephens campus was Vicki Russell, Columbia Daily Tribune Publisher. This was a special event open to all other students on campus, hosted by Creative Ink. An open forum for questions and dialogue allowed for students to better understand Russell’s background. I personally believe that she was an excellent example to all women on how to keep all options open, and to not settle for anything less than what you want from your career. It was inspiring to here her struggle as a young woman professional and how her skill sets from various avenues brought her career together.

The opportunity to meet with these women allows us, as students, to understand the field that we are pursuing degrees in. The information they provide us is valuable knowledge we would never gain from a textbook. Each story is different, along with the advice.

Quotes from the speakers that I will always keep in mind include:

“Keep your options open and don’t be afraid to take risks.”—Russell

“Prepare for the worst, expect the best.”—Russell

“Advice to being successful: have a professional image, find the value in what you are doing, be creative and take risks, keep current and ask questions as well as listen.” —Kris (fresh ideas)

As I complete my last year at Stephens College, I will keep these quotes in mind to push me forward while seeking the job of my dreams.