Angela Vannarath, vice president of membership for the Undergraduate Women in Business Club, is a finance major who is currently a Business Scholar at the Eccles School. She recently attended the Speed Networking event co-hosted by the Undergraduate Women in Business Club and the Women’s Tech Council. Here is what she took away from the event.

I attended the Speed Networking event because as a sophomore majoring in finance, I was interested in learning from female professionals in their specific industry about how they overcame obstacles concerning gender discrimination.

About eight mentors participated, and one was assigned to every table. It was an intimate setting, which allowed for one or two students to each professional. We had five minutes per individual to ask questions — the mentors provided deep insight as to how they realized their passion, how they came to their current point in life and what to do as a student in order to get ahead. As an aspiring businesswoman, I think that these points were especially poignant during the event:

1. Be confident in your work.

Do not let anyone stand in your way, including yourself. People tend to be critical of themselves — learn to see your failures as an opportunity for growth instead of a barrier.

2. Do not underestimate the power of networking.

It may be daunting, but it is worth the effort to make connections that will last a lifetime.

3. Push yourself out of your own comfort zone.

It is easier said than done, but as the cliché saying goes, “You never know until you try.”

4. Have set short-term and long-term goals.

Having defined plans in mind cannot only provide you a sense of direction, but also provide the motivation to achieve those goals.

5. Participate

I wouldn’t have learned any of these lessons had I not gotten involved and attended the event. Make time to take advantage of the great Eccles experiences the business school provides.

Overall, I am glad that I took advantage of this opportunity because it helped refine my interpersonal skills, and it was a chance to meet fellow students as well as faculty within the business school.