Women’s Conference Inspires Courage, Connection

The second annual Women’s Career Conference at the University of La Verne was a gathering of inspiration, empowerment and networking, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and professionals to celebrate courage and career growth.  

Held in celebration of Women’s History Month, Growing Forward Together: Having the Courage to Branch Out encouraged attendees to embrace bold steps in their professional journeys and build meaningful connections to help shape their futures. The all-day event is organized annually by the Career Center in collaboration with campus partners.

The morning kicked off with a lively keynote address by transformation coach and founder of the Courage Crew, Jasmin Escalera. With a dynamic presence and a message that resonated deeply, Escalera challenged attendees to rethink independence and embrace the power of community. 

“For many of us, we’ve been taught never to let anybody see us struggle,” Escalera said. “We think being strong means figuring it all out on our own. But in that pursuit of independence, we isolate ourselves from the very support system that can help us thrive. Every woman in this room is a woman that you need to grow, to support you, to help you, to guide you.” 

Her speech urged women to shed the survival mindset and embrace the strength of connection.  

“Vulnerability, asking for help, and seeking guidance is not a weakness—it’s a bridge. A bridge that connects us to the women who see us, hear us, and remind us of how powerful we truly are,” she said.  

To reinforce her message, Escalera led an interactive session where participants wrote down, shared and brainstormed ways to help each other achieve intentions for the conference—whether to seek mentorship, engage in networking, or simply practice self-encouragement. 

The courage to stand out isn’t about standing alone,” Escalera said. “It’s about standing together.

Following the keynote, attendees dove into a series of practical and engaging workshops. Standing Out with Confidence: Interview Tips for Growing Forward provided crucial advice on job interview strategies, while Branching into Professional Presence explored workplace professionalism and career attire.  

Amanda Miller, Director of Academic and Career Success, shared a message of perseverance and adaptability with attendees. 

“No one’s career is linear,” Miller said. “Setbacks are often steppingstones toward growth. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and evolve.”  

She encouraged students to embrace change and build strong relationships, reinforcing the value of mentorship and connection.  

“Surround yourself with people who support your dreams, challenge your thinking, and help you grow.” 

The day’s agenda also featured a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Get Spotted photo booth, made possible by Enterprise Mobility’s generous support. Melissa Moss, academic and employer experiences manager, highlighted the transformative impact of the partnership, which has enabled the center to introduce innovative resources like the photo booth. This new addition provides students with free professional headshots, helping them enhance their online presence and career readiness. 

 The day wrapped up with a Networking with Courage mixer, where attendees had the opportunity to put their newfound confidence into action. With LinkedIn profiles exchanged and new connections forged, it was clear that the impact of the conference would extend far beyond the campus center ballroom walls. 

For those looking to stay connected, Escalera left the crowd with an open invitation. 

“I’ll be here throughout the day, so come find me! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, reach out—I’m here to support you. And remember: Your voice matters, your presence matters, and you matter.” 

As attendees left the conference buzzing with energy and inspiration, one thing was clear: the courage to stand out is not just about taking bold steps—it’s about taking them together. 

The Career Center at the University of La Verne empowers students and alumni to develop a lifelong competitive and applicable skill set for an ever-changing global market through Career Readiness, a robust set of digital resources, tools, career assessments, and programming.