WiB x Social Entrepreneurship Next Wednesday

Happy Wellbeing Wednesday!

We hope you spent some time relaxing today and enjoyed the brief break from classes. First, we would like to thank Mackensie Wise for joining us last meeting and sharing her journey. We appreciate her transparency and thoughtful advice. Email Mackensie with any further questions.

Since next Monday will follow a Wednesday schedule, we will have our meeting on WEDNESDAY, March 3 at 7pm EST. The meeting will be a collaboration with the Social Entrepreneurship Club! Someone from IFundWomen will be coming to talk about women in entrepreneurship and starting your own business.

Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/4489761937
Meeting ID: 4489761937

Reminders:

• Marketing committee meeting tomorrow, Feb. 25 at 6:30pm (Topic: Design Workshop).

• Community Service committee meeting Wed., Mar. 10 at 7pm (Topic: FTK & Fundraiser).

Support Black-Owned Businesses

In the spirit of Black History Month, WiB is supporting Black-owned businesses. We are posting links on the WiB Instagram story the next couple days. We will also have these links available on our website so you can support these Black-owned businesses all year.

WiB Instagram: @isenbergwib
WiB website: isenbergwib.com
Help a Fellow WiB Member - Take this Survey!

Senior and HTM major Natasha Prokopowich is conducting research and needs participants to take her survey. Click here to take her brief, travel-related survey. It would be greatly appreciated.

WiB Merch Shipping & Payment

If you ordered merchandise, please be on the lookout for an email from us within the next few days to receive a link to input your payment and shipping address. Thank you!
Additional Opportunities
Draper Competition at Smith College
Opportunity for student entrepreneurs to receive funding & feedback on their startups. Applications close Friday. More info here.

ENGAGE Undergraduate Investment Conference
Pitch submissions due 2/28. More info here.

Black History Month

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

As a result of both systemic racism and generational wealth gaps, racial economic inequality is a huge issue in America. While 13% of Americans identify as Black, only 7% of businesses are Black-Owned. Not only during Black History Month, but always, we have a duty to support these businesses in order to help celebrate Black culture, support Black communities, and close the racial wealth gap.

Golde: “Brooklyn-based Golde was co-founded by CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford in 2017. The brand features both food and beauty products, all with superfood ingredients.”

Alchemy Body Shop: This shop “was birthed from a need for honest & clean products that are affordable + sustainable.” This company not only focuses on its product, but also works on uplifting WOC who share the passion & pull of wellness.

Camille Rose: Camile Rose was founded on entrepreneurial spirit and to solve the need for more natural hair care products for the black community. Since then, the business has expanded past providing just hair care products and sits at the forefront of the radical shift in the beauty industry. Their products “promise to source ingredients with integrity, mix with a pinch of love, and to always consider your total health and wellness.”

Copper and Brass Paper Goods: “Copper and Brass Paper Goods specializes in creating Afrocentric wrapping paper and gift-giving accessories. Copper and Brass Paper Goods provides products that feature black people in the most beautiful way possible.”

Pur Home: Pur home is “dedicated to creating natural and safe household cleaning products that can be used by anyone, giving special consideration to selecting ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable, sulfate-free, and non-toxic.” This sustainable business goes beyond just its products, but hopes to make a global impact through bringing awareness to access to clean water, fair trade, and ethical treatment of workers both in the US and abroad.

List of Black-Owned Products Sold at Target

Black-Owned Etsy Shops

Petitions to Sign

As described in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, we have the right to petition and correct any wrongs that exist within our society. It is important now more than ever to make our voices heard to gain equality for the Black community. The following petitions were chosen for their unique potential to uplift the Black community and take action against inequality.

Pass the Black History Education Bill in New York State

Ask Congress to Protect Black-Owned Businesses

Urge Retailers to Dedicate a Minimum of 15% of their Shelf Space to Black-Owned Businesses

Places to Donate

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an extremely difficult obstacle for small business owners, and many businesses across the country have been forced to shut their doors permanently. For Black History Month, we are eager to help support small Black-owned businesses in the hopes that they can remain open for years to come. We have chosen two funds that can greatly impact the lives of small business owners to get through this challenging time.

WE Cause Black Owned Business Fund

Black Owned Small Business Impact Fund

Tomorrow: Mackensie Wise Talks Careers & More!

Good evening,

Join us tomorrow Monday, February 22 at 7pm EST to hear from Mackensie Wise, a UMass/WiB alumna and past president of the WOI Conference Planning Committee!! Mackensie will be discussing her career since graduating from UMass in 2019 and focusing on the topic: responding to rejection in the workplace.

Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/92646432539
Meeting ID: 926 4643 2539

Reminder: Marketing committee meeting Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30pm.
WiB Social Events Feedback

Please take this survey to give us feedback on what social events you'd like this semester and in the future!
Sign MASSPIRG Petition

Help commit Massachusetts to 100% renewable energy! Add your name to the petition today! Our generation is going to face the worst impacts of climate change if we don’t transition to 100% clean, renewable energy as fast as possible. That’s why we’re calling on Massachusetts legislators to be a leader. Stay updated on this campaign by following @umamasspirg on IG.
WiB Blog

Check out recent blog posts by Julia Leroux and Lara Pereira here.

Additional Opportunities

Honors International Scholars Program
If you are a current freshman and have great aspirations for international studies, the Honors ISP may be a great opportunity for you. More info here and registration for upcoming info sessions here. Apply by 3/24.

Navigating the Internship Process

By: Julia Leroux

If you are like me and have parents haggling you about an internship for this summer, hopefully this blog post will guide you in the right direction when it comes to navigating the process. UMass and Isenberg School of Management offer a variety of opportunities for its students to seek internship positions at various companies and businesses. 

To start the internship process, it is suggested you begin with a job and internship platform to search for any available positions within your area. 

Handshake is a platform open to all UMass Amherst students; and you have the ability to apply any filters necessary when finding internships. You may filter internships within your field of study, your location, and many other aspects relating to the position. 

IsenbergWorks is another internship platform that is limited to Isenberg students only. It offers the same filtering process as Handshake in order to narrow down your internship search. This platform also offers events for students to attend, where you can learn and interact with employees from a company you are interested in.

LinkedIn, another common business platform, allows its users to network and connect with other LinkedIn profiles; and they offer internship opportunities, as well. Similar to Handshake and IsenbergWorks, LinkedIn has a filtering process that allows users to narrow down internship searches to fit specific interests and needs. 

The application process for most internships is relatively simple, but it requires your resume to be up-to-date. Your resume is very important when applying to internships as it is the first impression you make on hiring directors for a company or business. A cover letter, though not necessary, is a great way to showcase your knowledge of the company you are applying to; and it proves your interest within the business.

The Chase Career Center offers a program called Career Peers, which allows students the opportunity to meet with an Isenberg undergraduate and discuss anything related to career planning. They can assist with perfecting your resume and cover letters in order to impress hiring managers.

The interview is an intimidating aspect of the process for most students when it comes to landing an internship, but it is also a crucial role for hiring managers to get a glimpse of the person they are looking to hire. 

Big Interview is another opportunity offered by Isenberg School of Management for students to take advantage of. With this platform, you have the ability to practice your interview skills. Big Interview proposes sample questions to students that could potentially be asked in a real interview, and it offers tips for when you land an interview for a potential internship.

The Chase Career Center also offers mock virtual interviews to help prepare students for a real interview with companies and firms in an online environment. The virtual interviews can be accessed through Handshake and IsenbergWorks.

With these steps I hope it alleviates some of the stress the internship process can cause for many students. Just remember to not be discouraged if you do not land an internship for this summer. Personally, I have had two interviews with well-known companies and did not land either internship; but I am still searching for other opportunities with other companies. Keep your head up and have a great second semester!

(Each platform and program offered by UMass and Isenberg has been linked. If you would like to get started with the internship process, simply click on any resource; and it will bring you directly to that page)

Career Chat w/ Mackensie Wise Next Meeting!

Good evening,

First, we would like to thank Professor Merton and everyone for joining us last meeting to discuss women's rights in the workplace and current issues. You can email Prof. Merton with any additional questions.

Join us next Monday, February 22 at 7pm EST to hear from Mackensie Wise, a UMass/WiB alumna and past president of the WOI Conference Planning Committee!! Mackensie will be discussing her career since graduating from UMass in 2019 and focusing on the topic: responding to rejection in the workplace.

Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/92646432539
Meeting ID: 926 4643 2539

Reminder: Marketing committee meeting Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30pm.
Today is the Last Day to Buy WiB Merch!

Remember to fill out the merch form to buy WiB crewnecks and sweatpants. If you previously ordered some and need to make size adjustments for unisex sizes, please fill out the form again and put "updated" with your name.

WiB Merchandise Order Form

Additional Opportunities

Oracle Event
Culture and Diversity in Sales at Oracle on Tuesday, 2/23 at 3pm. Register here.

Fidelity Equity Stock Pitch 101
Learn how to pitch stock with Fidelity on Wednesday, 2/24 at 4pm. Register here.