Women learned how to transition from school to work at a panel

discussion titled “Tools For Success For Working Women-Personal

Experiences” presented by The American Association of

University Women along with Business and Professional Women.

Panelists were Sheryl Homann, executive assistant for the

Charleston Chamber of Commerce; Maudie Lang, retail bank

officer for Citizen’s National Bank in Charleston; Edith

Terwillager, secretary treasurer for Terwilliger Insurance

Agency; and Ann Flesor-Beck, director of development and alumni

relations for the College of Education at the University of

Illinois.

Homann discussed resumes and cover letters. She said the cover

letter needs to be specific to the company its being sent to.

She suggested that people include their phone numbers and e-

mails. Submitters need to make sure that they tell the company

what they can do for it, not the other way around.

She said interviewees need to be profession during an

interview: no slouching, chewing of gum, piercing, etcetera.

Lang spoke of her experiences in the business world. She said

it was difficult to gain a foothold, but said women should

“give it their all” when going for a job. Many women now hold

many high-paying positions such as CEO, she said.

Impressing the perspective employer is key to success, Lang

said. The employer should be thinking, “I can’t do without

you.”

Terwilliger talked about the culture of the workplace and how

to deal with fellow workers. She said the main thing to

remember is that there will always be negative people. People

need to develop a perspective of themselves and their workers,

listen, develop a professional demeanor, use different

approaches and learn to enjoy encounters with others.

Flesor-Beck discussed a presentation on corporate culture.

People must set goals and remember to be a team player, she

said. She said a good suggestion is to treat the support staff

professionally, as many of them have bachelor degrees and can

“make or break” a prospective employees career.

Flesor-Beck said the “Old Boy’s Network” is still in effect,

but there is an “Old Girls’s Network” to take advantage of as

well.

“(The main think to remember is) you are not loyal to the

organization, and the organization is not loyal to you,” she

said.