CU Students Embrace Women's Council's WILD Summit II, Look Forward to Leadership, Mentoring and Networking for Personal Growth

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year, almost 2 million students graduate with hope, aspirations and excitement for their future and the promise of fulfilling their dreams. Yet, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, only 27 percent have a job related to their major. Even more startling is that eligible workers ages 20-24 had the highest rate of unemployment in the country as of May 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business' Women's Council is trying to help avert these statistics through a variety of means, but, one program is particularly taking hold amongst its students, especially women.

It is called the "Women Inspiring Leadership Development" or WILD Summit. It is based on the core value that young women (and men) can further grow and help their own development through a venue that offers leadership, mentoring, inspiration and networking with top professional women leaders across the country. The first WILD Summit held this past February easily sold out at its inaugural conference with many young hopeful students coming away feeling excitement and a clearer vision for their future.

"Being involved in the planning of the WILD Summit has by far been the most meaningful networking opportunity I've encountered while studying for my MBA," said Leslie Small, CU MBA candidate. "The women I've met through the WILD Summit have really gone out of their way to support me and I know it will be an important connection throughout my career. I was asked to speak at the WILD Summit last year, which was an amazing experience that gave me great exposure to countless business leaders in our community."

The annual WILD one-day career leadership Summit provides a forum for women of all ages and professions to learn, engage and share their wisdom with a dynamic network of students, professionals and educators. This year's Summit promises to be even better, according to Conference Chair Cindy Carrillo, citing early enthusiasm and support from large national sponsors that will enable even a greater learning experience and a richer conference.

"The WILD Summit was an amazing event last year that helped me grow my network, learn from incredible speakers and develop my leadership and interpersonal skills," noted Libby Wilson, another CU MBA candidate. "As a first year MBA student, the event was invaluable as it exposed me to new industries, companies and leaders.  I was even able to get a summer internship after networking with a panelist in a dynamic industry.  I left the conference feeling support from other women in business, many of whom reached out to offer their time to help me in my career. Overall, the conference is a 'can't miss' event that I am looking forward to next April!"

Sessions throughout the one-day, information-packed venue will be offered to encourage meeting other WILD women and aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. Participants will discover new ideas, including the market trends driving opportunities for women to lead and affect lasting change. The WILD Summit II will inspire attendees to achieve their professional goals – whether to seek out knowledge and insight or share their story with tomorrow's leaders. It will focus on key trends within some of today's fastest growing and dynamic industries among other timely and provocative topics.

"We are thrilled to help support young women and men in their lifelong journeys as they are the next generation of leaders for our country," said Carrillo. "The amazing support and excitement that was generated at last year's conference is still spilling over to today as we prepare for the WILD Summit II in April. We truly want this to be a game-changer for students and women across all professions to help them realize their potential and reach their goals."

The WILD Summit II will take place on April 4, 2014 at the Westin Hotel in Westminster, CO. Registration and further details will be available in January. For more information on the Women's Council and the WILD Summit, please visit (http://cudemingcenterwomenscouncil.org/index.html).

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About the WILD Summit:
The mission of The WILD Summit is to provide a professional forum for women who want to learn and share; inspire and be inspired. Its objective is increase the visibility and accessibility of successful WILD women in the community to students and each other. It offers a venue for the presentation and sharing of relevant topics that are provocative and engaging to WILD women across university majors, industries and functional roles. It engages a broad audience of WILD women who fit in every place along the continuum of age and experience – bringing together those who are seeking knowledge and those with a desire to share and give back. For more information on the WILD Summit, please visit (http://cudemingcenterwomenscouncil.org/wild-2013.html).

About the Women's Council:
The Women's Council is a membership group of professional women who serve the efforts of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado (CU).

The purpose of the Women's Council is to support the mission of CU's Deming Center for Entrepreneurship by providing access and connection for students to successful women business leaders who will provide their support and expertise and nourish both students and other women in our community to live up to their potential as entrepreneurs and leaders in business.

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SOURCE The WILD Summit