‘Sweet life’ provides networking for women
Frida Nilsen Lounge was filled was decadent desserts and women of all ages who were inspired by Concordia alumna Jodee Bock, guest speaker at the Concordia Women Connects’ “Sweet Life after Concordia” event on Feb. 10. The informal networking session allowed current students to connect with alumni and hear Bock’s stories full of career advice and guidelines for success.
Karen Carlson, director of Alumni Relations, was delighted to see all of the students at Sweet Life emphasized the importance of networking.
“All of my jobs have been through networking,” Carlson said. “We need to stay together and have connections as well.”
Following introductions of the Concordia alumni, Bock affirmed Carlson’s preface on networking and dove into her motivational speech, sharing story after story to continually engage the surrounding Cobbers.
“Getting a job is about asking,” Bock said.
Fresh out of college, Bock began to search for a career that would encompass a degree in both English writing and communication. Beginning her first career at the age of 22 as a sports editor, Bock later found the position as a women’s sports information director at NDSU, which became a step in the right direction but was miles away from her career goal.
Bock is now a consultant, speaker, trainer, and author, dedicating her life to help others achieve their goals.
“I have the opportunity to share a message with people,” Bock said.
Bock offers her knowledge and creativity to clients, multiple business partners, and affiliates as both owner and founder of Bock’s Office Transformational Consulting. Bock uses over 15 years of experience in Corporate America to enhance her expertise in communication, media relations, executive coaching, training and development. Bock holds certifications in life coaching, Job Relations Training, Bob Proctor’s Life Success Consulting®, and Accelerated Innovation training and coaching from SolutionPeople in Chicago.
“I’ve learned it’s who you know, coupled with who you are,” Bock said. “Everything starts falling into place in a bigger way.”
Kelly Binfet, Concordia alumna and Cooperative Education Coordinator, values networking as well, and wants students to be aware of the Career Center and all the resources available.
“Don’t wait until you’re a senior!” Binfet said.
From resumés to mock interviews and a library of materials, Binfet works alongside an entire staff dedicated to helping Cobbers establish connections and give them hope for the future beyond Concordia.
“Whatever path they choose, there isn’t a right or wrong path,” Binfet said. “They’re not alone in their fears.”
Andrea Williams, Associate Director of C-400 Annual Giving for Concordia’s Advancement team, also relates to job searching as her career path first began as a student in the Advancement Office at Concordia. Graduating with a degree in Speech Communication and English Education, Williams pursued a position at Oak Grove Lutheran School, both as Executive Assistant and then as Development Associate. Williams was able to use the relationships she had built as a student worker to attain the administrative position as Associate Director of Annual Giving and now employs student workers to help alumni establish and maintain connections through the college.
“It’s never too late to start having goals and dreams about the future,” Williams said. “The biggest key is to be open to anything. If you love what you’re doing it’s a great job. It’s just a matter of where you find your niche.”
Bock reached out to both alumni and students, concluding her speech with a promise that we were all capable of following our dreams. Bock gave away her book “The 100% Factor: Living Your Capacity” as a way to remember her words of wisdom and encouraged the audience to contact her at any time as a reminder to not limit ourselves in any capacity.
“Where can I contribute my 100 percent today?” Bock said.
