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WICT > Member & Chapter Services > WICT Chapters > WICT Northern California > WICT NorCal Newsletter - June 2010

WICT NorCal Newsletter - June 2010

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WICT Northern California Chapter Newsletter #2, June 2010

Welcome to our June 2010 NorCal Newsletter! To provide feedback, suggest topics, or submit an article, contact Lorraine Lewis, Newsletter Editor.

In This Issue

Save the Date

How to Land the Job You Want

Fitness for Busy People

Moving on Up

Know Yourself

Tips to Wellness

Quick Links

WICT NorCal Chapter Site

WICT National Site

The Bookshelf

Our reading recommendations for this quarter:

"Efficiency Fitness: Fitness for Busy People"
by Kathryn Daley

"Play Like a Man Win Like a Woman"
by Gail Evans

"Inside Job Interviews: Secrets to Doing Everything Right, so...YOU'RE HIRED!"
by Brenda Ferguson Hodges

"The Art of Mingling"
by Jeanne Martinet

If you have a book, article or blog that you would like to share, please send your
recommendation to Lorraine Lewis.

"Do one thing every day that scares you."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"If you stand out from your competition during the
interview process, you will receive multiple job offers and have more choices to decide which job is the right one for you."
~ Brenda Ferguson Hodges

"Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
~Edward Stanley

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate
our heroes and she-roes!"
~ Maya Angelou

"The ultimate leader is not afraid to develop people to the point they surpass him or her in knowledge and ability."
~ Fred A. Manske, Jr.

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."
~ John F. Kennedy

President's Corner

Bev Wilmore
WICT Northern California Chapter President 2010

Hello Fellow Members of
WICT Northern California:

Our WICT Board members have been working really hard and SMART for you! During the first quarter, a survey was sent to all WICT Northern California Chapter Members to learn what is important to you so that we may craft programs that contribute to your career success.

In the cable industry, everything is constantly changing--technology, the product, the process and even the people we work for and with. Luckily, our WICT membership keeps us on top of our game, with career enhancing programs that increase our knowledge, inspire confidence, and keep us IN THE KNOW of latest opportunities and trends for career advancement.

I've got good news and great news to share:

The good news - you responded to our survey, which means that WICT Northern California Chapter is important to you! Your feedback was well received and, based on your response, we are ready to grow with you in 2010!

The great news - we have designed some excellent programs to address our members' needs. Whether you are a Student, Entry, Regular or Executive level member, we've got you covered, with special custom programs designed with you in mind. I encourage you to take full advantage of all of the networking, resources and tools by attending our events scheduled throughout the Northern California Chapter footprint this year. If you can't get out of the office to attend our events, we invite you to participate in our webinars. We are bringing the classroom TO YOU with our first ever Northern California Chapter webinars, beginning in June.

I believe that we are all born to do great things in life, and it is up to us to discover those great things every day. The great discoveries occur in our personal and professional classrooms. Embrace every moment, enjoy those moments and share your experience with others.

Remember...it is as easy as www.wict.org to get connected!

Be well,
Bev
Bev Wilmore

Save the Date
Important WICT Events You Won't Want to Miss!
wict logo

WICT NorCal
Golf Tournament & Golf Clinic
June 10, 2010, 10 am - 6 pm
Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Livermore

WICT NorCal
Webinar I: Interview Techniques to get you HIRED!
With Guest Coach Brenda Ferguson Hodges
June 18, 2010, 10 - 11 am

WICT NorCal
Webinar II: Efficiency Fitness
With former Cable Telecommunications Executive and recent Author Kathryn Daley
June 25, 2010, 9 - 10 am

WICT NorCal
Discussion & Book Signing
With Author and Coach Brenda Ferguson Hodges: "Inside Job Interviews: Secrets to Doing Everything Right, so YOU'RE HIRED!"
June 26, 2010, 1 - 4 pm, Borders Book Store, Roseville

WICT National

WICT Leadership Conference
September 13-14, 2010 - Hilton New York, NY
The premier annual gathering of WICT members during Diversity Week in New York City. WICT's Leadership Conference is the preeminent forum for educating women in the industry. WICT recognizes Comcast and The Comcast Foundation as the Gold Sponsors for the 2010 WICT Leadership Conference.

Executive Development Seminar
September 22-24, 2010 - Rancho Santa Fe, CA
The Executive Development Seminar aligns personal leadership styles and strengths with work performance. This three-day program offers relationship-building opportunities with other next-generation leaders in our industry. Limited number of seats only. WICT recognizes Time Warner Cable as the Gold Sponsor for the 2010 WICT Executive Development Seminar.

For more information about upcoming 2010 events, visit www.wict.org.

How to Land the Job You Want

hodges

FREE Webinar -
Interview Techniques To Get You HIRED!*
Date/Time: June 18, 2010, 10 - 11 am
Registration Fee: FREE Register online here!

*Be one of the first 15 to register, and have your resume personally critiqued by Brenda Ferguson Hodges at the book signing the following Saturday, June 26th!

FREE Discussion & Book Signing -
"Inside Job Interviews: Secrets to Doing

Everything Right so YOU'RE HIRED!" by Brenda Ferguson Hodges

Date/Time:            June 26, 2010, 1 - 4 pm
Where:                  Borders Book Store, Roseville
Registration Fee:   FREE - no registration required (this event is open to the general public).

Hurry - come early. Seating is first come, first served!

Meet Brenda Ferguson Hodges up close and in person for a discussion and signing of her latest book "Inside Job Interviews: Secrets to Doing Everything Right, so YOU'RE HIRED" including questions and answers. In addition, please join Brenda "virtually" for an engaging interactive webinar from the convenience of your office.

Hear first-hand from Brenda about the inside track to the interview process, and techniques useful for anyone seeking a new job - including those changing careers, mid-life career changers, employees laid-off or downsized, and college students.

Program attendees will learn:

Secret tips for successful resume writing
Strategies to handle different types of interviews
The importance of dressing for success, and more

To learn more about Brenda Ferguson Hodges, visit http://www.theinterviewqueen.com/Pages/The_Queen.html.

Learn the Key to "Fitness for Busy People"

FREE Webinar - Efficiency Fitness*
Date/Time: June 25, 2010, 9 -10 am
Registration Fee: FREE Register online here!

*Be one of the first 10 to register, and receive a free autographed book by Kathryn Daley!

Connect with Kathryn Daley - Athlete, former Cable Executive and Author of "Efficiency Fitness: Fitness For Busy People" - in this not-to- be-missed webinar. Hear about Kathryn's incredible fitness plan, suitable for the busiest of schedules, and learn:

the secrets to living a fit lifestyle
why health is so important as we age
the key to a successful workout (no gym required)
healthy eating vs dieting

To learn more about Kathryn Daley, visit http://efficiencyfitness.tatepublishing.net/.

Moving on Up: The Queens Among Us

Queen Calafia ~ a legendary Amazon warrior queen who some believe the State of California was named after.

Queen Calafia is a great analogy of the successful women in cable around us moving into positions of power. In our continuing "Moving On Up" series, we highlight another local Queen Calafia: Michelle Lowery.

Michelle Lowery

Michelle Lowery, Technical Operations Supervisor in Comcast's East Bay Area, was promoted into this position in 2007. Three words summarize a typical day on the front line for Michelle: "Get it done!" In her role as Supervisor of a team of technicians (responsible for installing, troubleshooting and repairing video, internet and phone for residential customers), you will often find Michelle in the field assisting wherever she can. And, if it can't be repaired, Michelle and team ensure it is quickly escalated to those who can.

Michelle has learned three keys to success:

1) Teamwork and collaboration with other departments is key to making their interactions with customers positive and seamless.

2) Communication is critical to ensure everyone stays informed. How technicians communicate to customers, she communicates with technicians, and they communicate across departments are extremely important.

3) Her passion sparks the passion of the team, so she needs to stay focused on the goal and be genuinely excited about achieving it. Knowing that Comcast offers a superior product and supporting her team helps achieve this.

Michelle derives a lot of joy outside work as she pursues a degree in Business Operations Management. She and her husband are also preparing for the arrival of their first child. She realizes that with the commitment to her career, it will be an adjustment. However, the skills she has mastered--time management and multi-tasking--will help her succeed at both.

-- Katrina Hammonds

WICT Touchstone: Know Yourself

"Know what you stand for. Know where you're going. You must understand who you are before you can decide who you want to be. So take stock of your strengths and your weaknesses. Know your limitations. Set realistic goals for yourself, keeping in mind that a balance between work and life makes for a healthy leader. And, above all, know what you stand for. Maintain your own morals, values and ethics, so you can hold yourself - and others - to the standards you set. Then unleash the leader within you. Take your career by the horns and steer it in the exact direction you want it to go."

I watched the last season of American Idol, and noticed the judges asking more questions, like "What type of artist do you want to be?" and "What type of recording artist will you be?" These questions illustrate how the judges are focused on who the contestants are as artists, rather than whether they can stay in tune.

We often joke about what we want to be when we grow up, but it is not enough to simply want to be a singer, a salesperson or a human resources expert. If you experience a blank response (like some of the "Idols") when asked "what type," I challenge you to elevate your game. The more specific your dream, the greater chance you will achieve it. I have found that ambition, desire and focus override talent. People who know themselves and are "comfortable in their skin" are unflappable. If you really know yourself, your base is solid. Answering the "what type" question requires a focus on two key areas:

1) An internal assessment of your skills and wants, looking not just at who you are, but who you want to be, and what you envision for yourself (rather than focusing on your brand and others' perceptions).

2) A professional in-depth analysis of your chosen field. For example, there are different types of sales, marketing and human resources. What is your niche, and what do you bring that is unique?

Be specific with your dreams and wants during these times of change. Don't just take your talent blindly to your next venture. Identify what type of artist you want to be, and follow that goal.

-- Cheryl Chambers

Tips to Wellness: Heart Disease & You

I recently read an article and was shocked to learn that approximately 41 million American women live with some form of heart disease. The article indicated that every year, five times more American women die of heart disease than breast cancer, and suggested that women start taking daily steps to protect their heart.

Here are four things you can begin doing right away:

1) Choose Healthy Foods - what you put in your body affects everything. It is suggested that you think about what you eat and drink; this begins at the grocery store, and at a restaurant when ordering.

2) Engage in Physical Activity - exercising increases your energy, relieves stress and improves your mood. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderately intense activity, such as a brisk walk, five days a week.

3) Know Your Numbers - ask your doctor about being screened/tested for heart-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Make sure to discuss the results, and what your "numbers" mean. These tests should be requested as often as you request your annual exam, or mammogram.

4) Share This Information - if you are learning about this information for the first time, you are not alone. Pass along this information to other wonderful women, so they in turn can pass it along.

Heart Attack Signs In Women - uncomfortable pressure or pains in the center of the chest, along with a sensation of squeezing or fullness, are the most common heart attack symptoms. According to the American Heart Association, other telltale signs include:

1) Pain or discomfort in the upper body, such as the stomach, back, neck, jaw, or one or both arms.
2) Shortness of breath.
3) Nausea, light headedness or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Minutes matter. Seek help immediately if you experience these symptoms.

For more information, visit the American Heart Association's web site: www.americanheart.org

-- Bev Wilmore

Thank you for joining us this quarter. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events!

Sincerely,

Women in Cable Telecommunications -
Northern California Chapter Board

Newsletter Editor: Lorraine Lewis
Contributing Writers: Beverly Wilmore, Cheryl Chambers, Wendy Gross and Katrina Hammonds

WICT Northern California values your input. Please send your comments to: Lorraine Lewis.

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