Networking is an integral part of any business and is relevant in every industry. While I know this to be true, I was dreading going to a networking event - a requirement for one of my classes. It had been years since I went to an event where I would have to sell myself, and I was not looking forward to it.

I worked as an actress before starting school, and In the entertainment industry, I had a great time because I almost always had something going on. I had an answer to the notorious “so what are you working on now?” question that spirals the room.

At those events, I felt like I had something to offer and something happening in my professional life that was worth talking about. Needless to say, my circumstances have changed a lot since then.

I was concerned that I would not have anything to offer the other networkers, and it would be obvious that I wanted information from them but would not be able to return the favor. Thankfully, my fears were misguided. While I am not as accomplished as most of the people I spoke to, I do have an understanding of who I am and where my values lie.

I keep up with current events, media trends, and even Trump’s tweets. Acknowledging that I have these things in order, I could feel more confident engaging people in conversation. Additionally, everyone else there was eager to learn about one another.

They were open to meeting other interesting people, from various backgrounds and at different stages in their lives. My journey and past experiences, partnered with my genuine interest in the other guests, made for riveting conversations.

The event was called “The 2^nd Annual Women in Charge: A Forum on Women’s Leadership,” and it was held at Fordham University on the west side of Manhattan. The event was sponsored by One Girl NYC, an organization providing “leadership training, community service and transformative work using yoga and meditation techniques”.

There were multiple panels of guest speakers from varying industries ranging from media and editorial to sustainable fashion and public policy. All of the women had built their careers and/or businesses around their values, which was very inspiring.

The discussions were led by Fordham graduate students, who asked engaging questions and got very thorough answers. Outside of the intricacies of their specific fields and backgrounds, the various panelists also discussed topics like sexual harassment, and gender and race discrimination in the workplace.

They gave leadership advice that can be applied to both the political and social realms. We gained useful tips on how to remain strong and true to ourselves while still being team players. All of these topics were engaging and the women themselves shared compelling stories and reports.

One panelist discussed the power of various advocacy channels in legalizing abortion in Nepal. She stressed the importance of utilizing grassroots campaigns, non-governmental organizations, legislators, and lobbyists in creating a movement together. The speaker highlighted the value of uniting all of the resources available to push for social change, rather than just relying on one or two. It was a provocative report of true events and aspirational social advocacy.

Just listening to them was inspiring and gave me confidence. By the time each intermission rolled around, I felt more prepared to meet new people. The students used ice-breaker exercises to get everyone involved and the let us converse for about 20 minutes between each panel discussion. I met women from each industry I am interested in, and then some, and it was so easy.

As I mentioned earlier, everyone was there to talk to people, and just making eye contact became an invitation to strike up a conversation. After talking to a knowledgeable Government Relations Associate, over the coffee urns for about 10 minutes, we ended up wandering, discussing gender discrimination surrounding parental leave. We both openly shared our views and built a stimulating dialogue very quickly.

Another equally as engaging, but less political conversation grew between myself and a Public Relations and Social Media Manager. We discussed the fluidity between PR, marketing, and editorial work. She offered to introduce me to the founder and CEO of her company, who was speaking next. She also requested that I send over some writing samples, as they have an editorial position available within the company. I was astonished.

The entire afternoon was full of interactions like these. Conversations with smart, engaging women who want to help and intellectually challenge one another. The most satisfying part of it was the affirmation that I can not only stand alongside these women but actually bring something to the table. It was not about them feeling like they have to send out an olive branch, or that I have to sell myself. I just was myself, and to my surprise, that was enough.