Networking has a branding problem.
It sounds like name tags, forced smiles, and pretending you “love connecting.”
But The NetWork: Women in Media and Communications is pitching something different: community, career skills, and a space where women in media and communications can actually feel supported.
In an interview, NetWork President Phoebe Potter, said the organization was designed to be both supportive and practical.
“The NetWork: Women in Media and Communications (TNWMC) was created as a safe space for women in these fields at Florida Atlantic, dedicated to professional development,” said Potter.
Potter, who is earning a BFA in visual art with a concentration in sculpture and a minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies, emphasized that the organization’s mission is broader than one major or department.
“TNWMC is not exclusive to women in Media and Communications,” Potter said. “It is open to those who care about empowering women and want to gain career-ready skills in addition to what they learn in the classroom.”
The goal, she added, is for members to leave FAU feeling more confident and less alone.
“We hope our members feel they have a group of people who will prioritize their safety and help them gain confidence as young professionals once they graduate,” stated Potter.
Programming this semester aims to balance social connection with career preparation.
“We try to have a mix of community bonding through fun events alongside workshops built to aid professional development, so be sure to see our event lineup for this semester!” Potter said.
For Potter, the club also connects to the women who have shaped her life outside campus.
“I personally hold my female friendships and relationships with the influential women in my life, primarily my mom and educators, in the highest regard,” she said. “All of these connections have helped me develop into who I am today, so I joined the NetWork to further build these connections in a safe and professional setting.”
Students interested in joining or keeping up with events can follow the NetWork on Instagram @thenetworkfau, find the club on Owl Central, or visit their Linktree through their Instagram bio.
Visit TNWMC’s Linktree here: https://linktr.ee/thenetworkfau
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