The growth of in-building network deployments is creating exciting new opportunities for women in wireless, and the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum is ready. The networking group, an affiliate of wireless infrastructure trade association PCIA, creates networking opportunities for women in wireless, but welcomes both women and men as members.
“I have been a member of the WWLF since 2007 and have been overwhelmed with the number of new relationships I make each year that are richly rewarding, both personally and professionally,” said Blair Bode, VP of business development at telecom and IT recruiter Kineticom. “Many people join networking associations with the hopes of immediate gain. However, I believe networking truly takes time and you get out of it what you put into it.”
Bode has clearly put a lot into her role at WWLF, where she serves as executive director of industry relations. She is also involved in extending WWLF’s benefits to promising new members of the wireless industry through WWLF’s fellowship program, which awards one complimentary membership each year to a woman who is new to telecom or is unable to obtain membership independently. Last year’s recipient was Tiffany Bowman, counsel for Bluegrass Cellular. Before entering the wireless industry, Bowman was an attorney for the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
WWLF is now accepting nominations for this year’s fellowship award. Nominees must be employed in the wireless industry for less than 5 years, or just entering the industry. Nominations may be submitted by emailing Ann Brooks at Ann.Brooks@crowncastle.com.
Each winner is assigned a mentor, and must consistently attend monthly one-on-one meetings with the mentor (either in-person or via phone) and provide meeting logs afterwards. Fellowship award winners are required to attend at least two networking events with their mentor, and are required to work at the WWLF booth and event registration table and otherwise represent WWLF during PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Show. The commitment is not insignificant, but WWLF veterans say the networking benefits are worth the effort.
“You can gain a lot of knowledge talking with others who have been in for a while and gain a lot of education and build your resource pool,” said WWLF member Carolyn Hardwick. “It’s very important to stay plugged in.”
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