Kickoff the program by learning more on how women are defining the future of manufacturing.
STEP Forward: Advancing Women in Manufacturing
Join us for an all-day career development and networking event targeting female students, young professionals and industry leaders.
Take the Lead: Act with purpose and emerge re-energized about your future career path!
The Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence is collaborating with The Manufacturing Institute—the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—to host an all-day career development and networking event for female students, young professionals and manufacturing industry representatives.
Attend the STEP Forward conference to advance manufacturing women. STEP Forward provides women interested in manufacturing careers with an opportunity to hear from industry leaders, connect with their peers, and learn best practices to succeed.
9:00 – 9:15 am | Welcome
9:15 – 9:45 am | Opening Remarks & Keynote Speaker
9:45 – 10:45 am | Industry Spotlight: Creators Wanted
Session overview: Featuring a diverse panel of industry leaders, this discussion will introduce audiences to the world of modern manufacturing and expand on the many ways this industry has changed, company culture, integration of new technology and more. The panel will showcase women in leadership roles from an array of manufacturing industries to encourage audiences to consider a career in manufacturing.
10:45 – 11:00 am | BREAK
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Building Your Networks: Reciprocity Ring Presentation
Session overview: Following a panel centered on the opportunities and future of the industry, this is a chance for attendees to get to know each other and connect with their peers by fostering an open environment to help build individual networks. Participants will leave with tangible contacts for follow up in this engaging session.
12:00 – 12:45 pm | Networking lunch
12:45 – 1:15 pm | STEPx: Ted Talk
Session overview: Using a TedTalk framework, speakers are asked to share their toughest challenges with the audience and how they were able to tackle obstacles head on.
1:15 – 1:45 pm | Executive Insights Panel: What I Wish I Knew
Session overview: Provide executive insights as a female leader in manufacturing on how to navigate through major inflection points in your career. This panel will help the audience understand the different skills required to lead and share their advice to advance your career.
1:45 – 2:15 pm | Workshop 1: Choose ONE of the following sessions
Recruiting Your Personal Board of Directors
Overview: A personal board is a team of individuals who fulfil a specific role with unique strengths and inspire, challenge and motivate you to make bold moves. Discover the power in developing a strong inner circle – your personal board of directors.
OR
Building Your Brand
Session overview: Building your personal brand is important to growing your career or business. Learn how to create and grow your personal brand to stand out amongst others.
2:15 – 2:30 pm | BREAK
2:30 – 3:00 pm | Workshop 2: Choose ONE of the following sessions
Recruiting Your Personal Board of Directors
Overview: A personal board is a team of individuals who fulfil a specific role with unique strengths and inspire, challenge and motivate you to make bold moves. Discover the power in developing a strong inner circle – your personal board of directors.
OR
Building Your Brand
Session overview: Building your personal brand is important to growing your career or business. Learn how to create and grow your personal brand to stand out amongst others.
3:00 – 3:30 pm | Speed Mentoring
Session overview: Attendees will put into practice what they have learned and connect one-on-one with potential mentors to being building their own board of directors and support system.
3:30 – 4:00 pm | Reception
STEP Forward Ole Miss Health & Safety
As the United States slowly moves in the direction of more normal business operations and vaccine availability becomes more widespread, the Manufacturing Institute is embracing a cautious approach to reinitiating in-person meetings. Our events are designed for participants who have been fully vaccinated, and all MI and NAM staff onsite will have been fully vaccinated by the time of the event.
For this Ole Miss STEP Forward in-person attendance, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required. Instructions for confirming your proof of vaccination or negative test will be sent ahead of the event date.
Face Masks
In addition to proof of vaccination, Face Masks will need to be worn while attending indoor functions, unless actively eating or drinking, to mitigate the risk to our attendees. The MI will provide masks on-site.
We expect attendees to adhere to the following behaviors, consistent with CDC guidance, state and local health authority directives and hotel rules. If you are not willing or able to adhere to these practices, we ask that you plan not to attend the meeting. Please note that these standards are subject to change as conditions evolve up to our meeting date.
Before Leaving Home
- Submit your CDC Vaccination Card/proof of vaccination. Instructions provided upon registration.
- Follow relevant guidance provided by the CDC (Center for Diseases Control).
- Adhere to government issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the region you will be traveling to and the region you are traveling from.
- Stay at home if you feel sick and or if anyone in your household is sick.
On-site During the Event
- Adhere to guidance from local health authorities as implemented and shared by facility hosts.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
- Agree to wear face masks covering nose and mouth at all indoor meeting functions. Face masks can be removed while actively eating and or drinking.
- Adhere to social distance protocols. At a minimum, maintain at least six (6) feet apart. Respect the personal space of others.
- If you experience any flu-like symptoms, please DO NOT attend sessions. Please let the event host know.
Post-event
- Agree to notify the program host at [email protected] if you test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home for contact tracing purposes.
Meet Modern Manufacturing
Agenda
Session overview: Featuring a diverse panel of industry leaders, this discussion will introduce audiences to the world of modern manufacturing and expand on the many ways this industry has changed, company culture, integration of new technology and more. The panel will showcase women in leadership roles from an array of manufacturing industries to encourage audiences to consider a career in manufacturing.
15 minute networking break. Sessions will resume at 11:00 a.m.
Session overview: Following a panel centered on the opportunities and future of the industry, this is a chance for attendees to get to know each other and connect with their peers by fostering an open environment to help build individual networks. Participants will leave with tangible contacts for follow up in this engaging session.
Expand and deepen connections with prospective employers, female colleagues and peers during this networking lunch. Complimentary meals will be provided.
Session overview: Using a TedTalk framework, speakers are asked to share their toughest challenges with the audience and how they were able to tackle obstacles head on.
Session overview: Provide executive insights as a female leader in manufacturing on how to navigate through major inflection points in your career. This panel will help the audience understand the different skills required to lead and share their advice to advance your career.
Recruiting Your Personal Board of Directors
Overview: A personal board is a team of individuals who fulfil a specific role with unique strengths and inspire, challenge and motivate you to make bold moves. Discover the power in developing a strong inner circle – your personal board of directors.
OR
Building Your Brand
Session overview: Building your personal brand is important to growing your career or business. Learn how to create and grow your personal brand to stand out amongst others.
15 minute networking break. Sessions will resume at 2:30 p.m.
Recruiting Your Personal Board of Directors
Overview: A personal board is a team of individuals who fulfil a specific role with unique strengths and inspire, challenge and motivate you to make bold moves. Discover the power in developing a strong inner circle – your personal board of directors.
OR
Building Your Brand
Session overview: Building your personal brand is important to growing your career or business. Learn how to create and grow your personal brand to stand out amongst others.
Session overview: Attendees will put into practice what they have learned and connect one-on-one with potential mentors to being building their own board of directors and support system.
Session overview: Create and strengthen connections with prospective employers, female colleagues and peers during this networking reception. Light fare and beverages will be provided.
STEP Forward mobilizes women to act as a catalyst for change within their company and their community. The STEP Forward event culminates with a reception, sharing lessons learned, and offering a personal commitment. Join us for a professional development conference to expand your networks and strengthen career skills to prepare you for the future.
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