By Ann Livermore and Emily Unsworth

Xcel and Northeastern University’s Females’ Center of Excellence and Leadership, held its first ever forum last Saturday in the Curry Student Center Ballroom. The forum, “Tell Me How It’s Been,” addressed topics revolving around women’s role in corporate America today.

Tricia Burton, the president of Xcel, planned the event in hopes that Northeastern students would get a feel for the working world before they embark on co-op.

“I wanted students to see what the working world was like, especially freshmen. This forum allows them to learn what to do and what not to do in the workplace,” Burton said.

The moderator of the forum was Northeastern alumni Makeda Keegan, who is active in civic and community affairs and is currently a technical writer and Web designer at Northeastern.

Keegan began by introducing the six panelists that came from various parts of the country with equally diverse backgrounds. The panelists, all minorities within their corporate environments, were asked to give insight into their experiences, as well as who their mentors have been. Mentoring is a key part of the Xcel program, according to Keegan.

Jennette Lewis, who was a registered staff nurse for 23 years and has since been promoted to the Social Work Department where she is assistant director of discharge planning, admits her main mentor has always been her mom.

“My mother is number one. She is one of the people who helped me realize I had a passion for helping. She encouraged me to fulfill education to the limit,” Lewis said.

Lewis, along with most of the other panelists, admitted that reaching her corporate goals was not always easy, especially being a minority in workplaces where minorities were few and far between.

Roy T. Dawson, director of human resources with Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, encountered what he called “racial events” in the workplace.

“I have a job that no African American ever had, at a level where no one thought it was appropriate. I later learned that the sole exposure of the company to African Americans was me,” Dawson said.

When the panelists were asked about the “glass ceiling” concept, which theorizes that women and minorities can only advance so far in their careers due to prejudice, they all discussed their own sense of connection with the topic.

Grace Figueredo, director of human resources and director of staffing and development with Hamilton Sundstrand, spoke about her experiences with the concept early on in her career.

“My first job was a managerial security position at Macy’s. From the beginning it was assumed that the position would be given to a man, since no woman had ever held the position,” Figueredo said. “I am the only woman in security because I got it based on performance, conviction and confidence. Most women will sit back and let others take the spotlight. I never saw the obstacles or barriers, only the target.”

The panelists all agreed that one way to take the spotlight in the corporate world is to not only stand out for what you do, but also adhere to a long list of things not to do, such as playing computer games or dressing inappropriately. The panelists also agreed that in today’s economy it is better to take what you can get and to focus on being the best at what you do no matter where you are or what the task.

Marian Stanley, a seasoned traveler and vice president of University Corporate Outreach at Northeastern, had general advice for the students considering co-op.

“Move directionally towards something you enjoy and ask yourself if this is something you want. You can make changes as you move forward and you don’t have to make a decision and be locked in it for the rest of your life,” Stanley said. “Get into a good place where you can make a strong contribution.”

Olympia Valentine, a Northeastern graduate student majoring in telecommunications and networks, said she gained important knowledge from the panelists.

“I felt like I got something out of it, especially the part about the glass ceiling. It helps to know how to prepare yourself. I still need to know how to gain that competitive edge,” Valentine said.

Dawson spoke aloud before the forum had ended with the final words: “Women today. Think entrepreneur.”

Xcel has three committees that deal with community service, fundraising and leadership, as well as a unique mentoring program.

The mentoring program consists of professionals and members of professional organizations who participate as mentors within the program, according to the Xcel Web site at http:///:xcel.neu.edu. The next meeting is scheduled for October 7 at 7 p.m.