Mid-Trip Post (Jenn Kowaloff)

I am writing this from Prague with only a day left before we come home. I have learned and seen so much on this trip, I am sure I will be making connections for months to come.
In terms of pathways to leadership, I have identified 3. They are networking, education, and support. Though education is important across the board, networking seems to be different in the countries we have visited. By this I mean that the ways women go about networking is different. The women we have met with have been dressed more sexually then many women I have seen in the American workforce. In addition, some women specifically mentioned using flirting to make connections. IN addition, many of the successful women we met were particularly attractive. There is no doubt that dressing more sexually did not hurt their success.
Support is important in two ways. First, it is helpful to have the "permission" of your husband and family to enter the workforce. But in addition, support can mean helping with the "second shift" duties women face such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children.
Lastly, having a role model has seemed to be common thread amongst the women. I believe this is because a role model helps them remember that they are not the first woman to attempt to have both a career and a family. It serves as inspiration for them.
After we return home and I have more time to reflect, I will definitely be making more connections to the course material.