By Brennan Gang, NYWF Office Assistant

An accountant, a TV producer, a speech pathologist, an actress, an orthodontist, an entrepreneur, an IT technician, a WNBA player: These jobs reflect the diversity of The New York Women's Foundation® grantee girls who answered the question, "What is your dream career?"

The New York Women's Foundation® helped pave the road for them to realize their dreams. Girls'Day (previously College or Career Day in alternate years)now occurs annually and took place this year on August 7. It is an all- day event designed to help young women from grantee organizations plan for their future in academics or business. The Foundation staff joined twenty girls and their chaperones on visits to NBC and Deutsche Bank. The women's group of GE, NBC's parent corporation, sponsored the workshop.

NYWF® Board member and NBC counsel Brande Stellings hosted a networking breakfast, which allowed the girls one-on-one interaction with fifteen women of NBC and FGIC, GE's financial services company. The women showed great enthusiasm in meeting the girls and answering questions about their chosen fields.

The NBC and GE employees then participated in a panel discussion for the girls, during which the women talked about achieving success at the work-place and at home. Darlene Rodriguez, co-anchor of NBC News Channel 4's "Today in New York," advised the girls to aim — and dress for — the job they want, not the job they have. Dee Dee Thomas, a producer for the "Today" show, counseled the girls to think calmly and strategically during a disagreement with a boss on a project.

Brande Stellings and Catherine Petrello, a vice president in Cash and Collections at NBC, told the girls to have confidence in their abilities and not to belittle their efforts or achievements. The girls were visibly engrossed in the discussion and peppered the panelists with questions. Once the girls were able to tear themselves away from their conversations, they headed to the NBC studio tour. After a bit of fun and with a gift bag provided by NBC and FGIC in their hands, the group headed to their next destination.

At Deutsche Bank, the girls were treated to lunch with NYWF® Allocations Committee member Robyn Brady Ince, after which Robyn moderated a discussion about keys to success with women from Deutsche Bank. Ginny Chung, an assistant vice president with Global Markets, emphasized the importance of finding a mentor who can be a guide and a sounding board. She also talked about giving back by being a mentor to others. Katherine Vincety, a manager with Global Diversity, spoke of the importance of internships, a point reiterated by Denise Montana, the head of US Women's Initiatives in Global Diversity.

After the panel, Jacquette Timmons, president and CEO of Sterling Investment Management, gave a presentation on personal finances. Through an exercise, she helped the girls set their short- and long- term financial goals, encouraging them to find ways to achieve their objectives. Bahiyyah Asante, sixteen years old, of the NYWF® grantee Ifetayo Cultural Arts Facility, has ambitious entrepreneurial dreams and said,"[It ]helped me to see exactly what I need to do. And I definitely know I need to start saving my money right away."

As the girls were leaving at the end of day, loaded with tips, advice, and gift bags, their conversations revolved around their goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Although they had yet to find all the answers, help from twenty-five women taught them to find and create opportunities, take advantage of internships, find a mentor, and believe in themselves and in their ability to succeed.

Special thanks to NBC, FGIC, GE Women's Network, Deutsche Bank, Sterling Investment Management, Inc., Warner Music Group, College Board, Cowboy Pictures, Time Inc., and all of the women who generously donated their time and resources in support of the NYWF® Girls' Day 2003.