To celebrate International Women’s History Month, we asked some of the student leaders in the Women in Business Professions (WIBP) student organization to share their thoughts on women helping women, bringing others along and their WIBP experiences.
Alyssa Pincuspy
NIU experience: Double major in marketing and communication studies. Certificate in professional selling. Honors Program member. College of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board member. Equestrian team member. Forensics team member. WIBP recruiter (fall 2020). WIBP president (spring and fall 2021). Currently, WIBP vice president (spring 2022).
It’s important for women to support other women, especially in the business space, because we’re still a minority in this area. Women support other women in many ways. One of the ways this happens in WIBP is when successful women come to our meetings to share their stories, tips and tricks, as well as to give us opportunities to expand our network.
It also occurs when women help other women who aren’t as advanced as they are or who weren’t afforded the same opportunities. This can take the form of being a mentor — providing encouragement or paving the way for others to have the same opportunities.
One thing that has surprised me in all honesty is how WIBP is not “stuffy,” like I thought a business-focused organization would be. That’s really been surprising. And it’s great that there are many opportunities to bond with other members and really let your hair down.
At the same time, WIBP always provides potential to grow and advance your skills. Before I served as president, I thought I had reached the height of my leadership potential. But taking on a larger role forced me to evaluate and expand upon what I thought I was capable of, and allowed me to go further by constantly developing and strengthening important leadership, organization and networking skills.
I’m aware that women are a minority in the business world, so it’s important to me to align myself with other women so we can help each other succeed. Through WIBP discussions and special events, I’ve realized that women must work a lot harder than I thought to achieve success. I’ve talked with women whose ideas were ignored or miscredited. And other women who had to deal with being overlooked while men advanced in the workplace. Yet, each one held her head high and continued to outperform everyone else. In the end, each woman was rewarded with success — either on a personal or professional level, or ideally both.
Success measures are important. My personal guidepost in this regard is this: I’ll know I’ve been successful during my time with WIBP if I leave the organization in a better place than I found it, and if I leave a lasting positive impression on our members. I’ve gained so much knowledge and had so many fun experiences in this group, so I want to do whatever I can to help WIBP prosper long after I’ve left NIU. I also want to make sure each member enjoys their time.
Part of my goal to bring others along occurs in the organization itself, by getting to know each member and by helping to plan events that help each member’s professional development. Even if, like me, they have the goal of blazing their own trail. While I admire the traits and accomplishments of many individuals, I don’t know of anyone who has travelled the path I plan to take. Life moves fast; I want to chart my own life and career.
All in all, my time with WIBP has been amazing. I’ve had great times, made lots of memories and formed some of my best friendships that I hope to carry forward.
by Michelle De Jean, director of marketing, NIU College of Business in collaboration with Alyssa Pincuspy
