CIT Mentoring and Support Group empowers women

Driven by the desire to support and empower women, two Canberra Institute of Technology CIT students founded the CIT Women's Mentoring and Support Group. This supportive community for female students and professionals aims to nurture professional development for enhanced future career opportunities.

Kerry Markoulli and Fouzia Hasan are both studying a Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42015), and together they wanted to start an initiative that supported CIT Business students to connect with other professional women.

Kerry has previously volunteered her time with other women's organisations. "The Women's Mentoring and Support Group is for business students to link up with professional women and share advice and ideas on career, work, study and life more broadly. Many of the mentors are people I know though work and volunteer activities." Kerry said.

It is clear that both Kerry and Fouzia have a passion for empowering women. "We chose to focus on female mentoring and support because there were not enough avenues for women to seek advice. This group seemed like a perfect opportunity for students to meet with professional women," Fouzia said.

The group is being run through Facebook page, called the Women's Mentoring and Professional Forum, but Kerry and Fouzia are keen to organise face-to-face meetings once COVID-19 restrictions are eased. "We have over 40 participants in the group, including mentors, CIT staff, and students. We have a diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds as well as people with a diversity of experience and expertise," Kerry said.

To find out more or to become involved, email citwomensmentoring@gmail.com or visit the CIT Women's Mentoring and Professional Forum Facebook page.