On October 17, 2017,  METRANS and USC Women in Management (WIM) brought Nicola Franklin to the USC Main Campus for an engaging and lively program on Career Advancement for women. Franklin is the Talent Acquisition Operations Director at Tronc (formerly Tribune Publishing).

METRANS was proud to partner with WIM, formed in 1979 in response to the need for an organization for women in academic leadership positions. Originally composed of about 20 visionary women, WIM now boasts a membership of approximately 150 women. The purpose of the organization remains the same today as it was then - to provide a forum for communication, professional development, and career opportunities for women.

The presentation was broadly segmented into two parts – the first part focused on how to get noticed in one’s current professional position, and the second part, on how to communicate one’s value while searching for a new job.

In the first segment, Franklin touched upon various common concerns one might be facing – as women starting out, women of age, women having an eclectic career graph, or women changing jobs after a long time to name a few. She was open to questions from the audience who shared different situations of their own and suggested ideas each might consider.

The next segment was particularly motivating for young professionals starting off in their career. Franklin stressed the importance of having a clear, crisp resume and a professional LinkedIn profile. She even emphasized on the advantages of having a 30 second elevator pitch and listed out some pointers for the same. It was reassuring to know that a lot of professionals, young and matured, struggle with networking and Franklins tips were useful to address those concerns.

The event, although targeted to women professionals, was relevant to anyone looking to succeed in their job search or their professional endeavors, and METRANS looks forward to our continued partnership with WIM.

About the Author: Upasana Paul

Upasana Paul is a first year Master of Planning Student at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. She has an undergraduate background in Architecture. She is interested in economic development with a focus on transit. She can be reached at [email protected].