Career Panels

Reaching Out 2007 will feature an expanded list of the ever-popular career panels, where attendees can learn about the challenges and benefits of pursuing a career in their chosen field. This list is subject to change.

Consulting

Consulting firms get their business by being responsive to their clients' needs. This often means the needs of the client come first rather than introspectively addressing social issues. However, some firms have clearly made strong efforts to create a comfortable environment for LGBT employees. Since the quality of deliverables to the client is heavily dependent on the cohesion of the consulting team and the full participation of every team member, issues around diversity and inclusion are being taken much more seriously. Learn how differences in a firm's client base, history, and geography allow a variety of leadership challenges and opportunities for LGBT consultants. This panel will address the issues that are unique to LGBT employees within the consulting industry and how LGBT students should approach the recruiting process.

I-Banking & Finance

Considering a career in investment banking, but unsure about the working environment? Hear our panelists discuss what its really like to be gay on Wall Street. Learn how LGBT networks and business relationships can best be utilized, and what roles major banks and financial institutions play in shaping the LGBT community.

Marketing

Marketing careers span every function from brand and project managers to more specific roles such as product planners or pricing strategists. The critical skills needed for success vary as widely as these functions. Panelists with diverse work experiences will share their steps to success as marketers, including the critical factors that led them to their current positions - in a variety of industries and companies. Participants will be able to connect critical success factors and learn how to build their careers as a first-time intern, career switcher, or long time marketing expert. Participants will be equipped with new skills and knowledge to help achieve their own success in the dynamic world of marketing.

Retail

The Retail panel will connect the participants with leading companies within the retail industry. The panel, building on the expertise of past Reaching Out sponsors and leveraging on companies based on the Bay Area, will provide a unique mix of companies to review the numerous roles and functions within the retail industry to help participants understand the opportunities available.

Health Care

Many inside and outside the health care industry do not fully appreciate the breadth and depth of the functions and reach of the industry. One goal of the panel will be to articulate the significant professional opportunities that exist within the industry. Health care industry professionals are not just physicians, nurses, and other key clinicians, but also include consultants, venture capitalists, policy-makers and analysts, engineers, and finance professionals. The panel will provide exposure to a variety of functions within the industry and include high-level, successful LGBT professionals that have significant experience navigating through the complex industry.

International Development & Microfinance

In recent years both corporations and international agencies have realized a need to change the way they address developing country economies. Finding ways to access the "bottom-of-the-pyramid," with tools such as microfinancing is strategic for companies and development organizations. However, working in this sector provides unique challenges for the LGBT community. How is it to be 'out' at organizations such as the World Bank and United Nations, working in developing countries? The panel will highlight LGBT people working in this emerging and fast-growing field and discuss implications of being out in emerging markets.

Non-Profit & Public Service

From economic development and nonprofit consulting to healthcare and philanthropy, the Nonprofit/Public Service sectors are reaching out to MBAs for the experience and skill sets more than ever. This panel will feature successful LGBT MBAs working in a variety of roles within these industries. Several panelists with private sector experience will share how they've been able to connect this experience to their current work in the nonprofit or government sectors. Additionally, they will discuss their career trajectory and how they continue to build their careers in the nonprofit/public sectors. Panelists will also discuss the concept of achieving success in nonprofit sectors.

Media & Entertainment

Whether you were in the industry prior to returning to school, or you just always had an interest in movies, music and media, a career in the Entertainment Industry is attractive to many MBAs. Learn about the career opportunities in the industry and how your background and experience may fit into this dynamic industry. Also, learn more about the non-traditional segments of entertainment and media, including PC and Video Gaming, Cruise Lines and Internet Sites.

Diversity in Technology

How and why do technology companies value LGBT employees? High tech firms are driven by innovation and as such understand the need for employees to be authentic in the work places to allow them to maximize their value to the organization. As these types of "innovation factories" are primarily concerned with thought leadership and creative output, they provide a wide range of social engagement opportunities for LGBT employees to connect. These groups in turn serve to build a base of support that extends throughout the entire company connecting LGBT and non-LGBT people.

Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital

What are the issues and advantages of being openly gay and starting a non-LGBT related business? Are there opportunities for starting your own business catering to the LGBT community? What is the capital raising environment like (from both sides) for these new businesses? Join us in a lively discussion for individuals interested in joining the LGBT entrepreneurial community.