The Young Careerist Program recognizes the accomplishments of successful women or men and introduces them to the mission and vision of BPW/USA. The Young Careerist Program, begun in 1964 involves the selection of a Young Careerist to represent the state federation at the National conference. The selection process begins with a competition at the local level, proceeds to a district competition, and then to the state level, where a representative is chosen at the state convention. There is no competition at the national level. However, the state Young Careerist is encouraged to attend BPW/USA's National Conference. Traditionally, all state Young Careerists are introduced to the conference body and special events, such as workshops and networking opportunities, are planned. Young Careerists may be be given credentials as voting members of the BPW/USA conference body and are invited to participate in all conference activities. When searching for a Young Careerist candidate, local members are afforded the opportunity to network with individuals in the early stages of their careers both within and outside the local organization. The interaction affords current BPW members an opportunity to keep up to date on the changing role of women in the workplace, and on the challenges and rewards in finding a place in today's business and professional world. In addition, a dialogue with these individuals in the early stages of career development provides BPW with suggestions for better serving the interests of younger members who are critical to sustaining BPW membership. An effective Young Careerist Program informs the candidates about the BPW resources and programs intended to benefit both the personal and professional lives of working individual. All candidates at the local level should be introduced to the mission and vision of BPW/USA, the legislative platform (both state and national), the organizational structure and the member benefits. All participants in the Young Careerist Program should be encouraged to join BPW. An established follow-up plan with Young Careerist participants can turn candidates into members. The Young Careerist Program is an excellent opportunity to reach a new pool of potential members. Local and state organizations should keep in mind the potential visibility to be gained in the community and state from conducting a Young Careerist Program. From the local organization level to the National conference, the Young Careerist Program has proven to be a rewarding partnership for all participants. A Young Careerist candidate's personal skills can be honed in the competition format for the YC Program. Public speaking abilities are challenged as a candidate delivers planned and impromptu speeches. Interpersonal skills are utilized during interviews with judges. The Young Careerist candidate who chooses to attend the National conference has additional opportunities for personal and professional development by attending the informative workshops. Participation in the Young Careerist Program affords a candidate an excellent means of meeting other young working women or men in the community, state and country. Many state programs include social events or roundtable type discussions designed to encourage candidates to meet one another and exchange ideas and business cards. A Young Careerist candidate is presented with opportunities to learn about issues of concern to working women by being assigned speech topics addressing these issues, by being informed about the mission and vision of BPW/USA, state and national legislative platforms, and other BPW advocacy issues, and by engaging in a dialogue with BPW members. Since press activity is encouraged in the Young Careerist Program, a candidate may receive exposure in local and state media outlets, which can lead to additional personal and professional growth opportunities. By joining BPW, a Young Careerist candidate becomes part of a nationwide network dedicated to achieving equity for women. She can enjoy the unique benefits of membership. She can mentor and be mentored. She can feel the strength of blending her voice with others in pursuit of a common goal. State federations and local organization have a great deal of flexibility in how they conduct their Young Careerist Program, including the selection of speech topics and timelines. Local and district programs are coordinated with state Young Careerist Program objectives. However, the following mandatory criteria apply to all levels of Young Careerist Programs: (1) To be eligible, a young person must be between the ages of 25 and 35, inclusive, by the July 31st following the first competition in which she/he participate; be or have been employed in business or the professions with at least one year of full time work experience in her/his career area; be living, working, training or continuing her/his education in the area served by the sponsoring local organization conducting the program; and support the BPW/USA mission and vision and legislative platform. Young Careerist candidates must review the national legislative platform and pledge that they will not speak against platform items in their capacities as Young Careerist representatives, if selected. (2) The state Young Careerist must have participated in the state federation's selection program and must be a member of BPW/USA to serve as the Young Careerist representative of the West Virginia Federation at the National conference. The Morgantown BPW Local awards a one year membership to the individual selected at the local competition in September. (3) There will be a minimum of three impartial judges in the selection process at the local, district, and state level of competition who must be present at all competitive events. (4) The selection process will include at least two types of events. In one event, participants make individual presentations or speeches. Topics for presentations or speeches are not assigned by BPW/USA. Each local, district or state will select its own topic, unless the state federation program sets the topic for local and district competition. Topics for all levels of competition within the state federation are coordinated. Topics are based on the current state or national legislative platforms or other BPW/USA advocacy issues. In the second event each participant has the opportunity to meet individually with the panel of judges. (5) The Young Careerist Program will include a briefing session for all participants concerning the state federation, the national Young Careerist Program, and the BPW/USA mission, vision, and legislative platform. "Choices - The Key To Better Prepared Women. " -- The Choices program is an important project for the West Virginia Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. The project began in 1988 when the West Virginia Federation was designated one of 10 state federations to adopt the charter program designed to mentor young girls about the choices available to them. The "Choices: Women Helping Girls with Choices" program began nationwide as a mentoring project in conjunction with the Girls Clubs of America. "Choices" was a national demonstration project started by BPW/USA to encourage mentoring of young women. Deborah Davis of Clarksburg served as State Chair for the project. Locals signing contracts to participate in the project were Ansted, Clarksburg, Grafton, Morgantown, Moundsville, Oak Hill, Parkersburg, Petersburg and Weirton. Individual Development Program The Individual Development course was introduced on the national level in 1968 and was revised in 1984. The course helps develop leadership and communications skills at the same time as it introduces participants to BPW/USA, its goals, and issues. Administration of the individual development course is delegated to state federations by action of the national board of directors. Within the basic outline, the individual development course structure can be varied at the option of the participants and the sponsoring BPW organization. Individual development includes experience in extemporaneous and prepared speaking, on topics that emphasize BPW/USA's legislative and focus issues. It also gives experience in group and self evaluation and events such as press conferences and interviews. At the option of the state federation, BPW membership may be required of state individual development participants. Local, district (region), and state speak-offs or other events can be held to select a statewide individual development representative. The West Virginia Federation encourages locals to incorporate the individual development course into their yearly events. A state competition is held at the annual convention in April. Locals conduct the course, and send a representative to one of the four district meetings held each fall. From each district a representative is selected to participate in a speakoff at the state convention.
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