Maximize Leadership Potential with The WICT Network’s Premier Programs
Budgeting season is indeed a crucial time for companies to strategize on professional development. The WICT Network Global and The WICT Network: Midwest provides a variety of educational programs designed to empower women leaders in media, entertainment, and technology. These programs cater to different career stages, from emerging leaders to C-suite executives, ensuring a match with personal and team goals.
Engaging in these programs not only enhances individual skills but also contributes to the collective progress of the team, aligning with the dual objective of personal and team development. Additionally, participating in mentoring roles can be a rewarding way to give back and foster the next generation of industry leaders. The WICT Network’s annual programs and conferences are designed to be inclusive, offering valuable insights and experiences for all career levels, making them a wise investment for both personal growth and team enrichment.
Asking your leader for professional development funding can be a great step for your career growth. Here are some tips to help you make a compelling case:
1. Do Your Research
- Program Details: Know the cost, duration, and learning outcomes of the program. Be ready to explain how it will benefit both you and the organization.
- Company Policy: Check if your company has a policy on professional development funding. Look in the employee handbook or ask colleagues who might have received similar support.
2. Prepare Your Pitch
- Align with Company Goals: Explain how the training aligns with your role and the company’s objectives. Highlight the skills you will gain and how they will benefit your team.
- Anticipate Questions: Be ready to answer questions about the cost, time commitment, and potential return on investment.
3. Make a Formal Request
- Be Specific: Provide all the details about the program, including a flyer or link. Clearly state what you need and how it will help you and the company.
- Follow Up: Give your leader time to consider your request and be prepared to discuss it further if needed.
Premier Management Development Series
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The WICT Network: Midwest’s Premier Management Development Series (PMDS) creates an interactive, personalized development program that explores what it takes to be an effective and impactful leader at all points along the leadership journey. Through virtual learning sessions and peer-to-peer coaching pods, the program is designed to help participants focus on self-awareness, build a stronger leadership skillset, and develop practical tools to apply these new skills.
The program content is tailored to meet the needs of both emerging leaders with limited people management experience as well as more tenured seasoned leaders. To ensure the highest value for all, participants are assigned to classes where their peers have a similar level of leadership experience and tenure ensuring that learning content and facilitated discussions are customized to meet the needs of each class.
Registration: January/February
Program: April through October
Mentoring Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The WICT Network: Midwest Mentoring Program is designed to provide career and personal development opportunities for women in the telecommunications industry. This program is in place to support both mentees and mentors in achieving goals. Participation in the mentoring program is not an assurance of promotional opportunities. However, it provides an excellent framework for career development.
This mentor program is free to join!
Registration: TBD
Program: Year-long
Rising Leaders Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The WICT Network’s Rising Leaders Program (RLP) is a premier professional development program for emerging women leaders in media, entertainment and technology. Participants learn how to build and develop high-performing teams; expand their organizational impact; build alliances; assess diverse leadership styles, and more. During this week-long, intensive immersion program, participants take part in leadership analysis and case study work while expanding their professional networks.
Registration: August
Program: April through November
Executive Development Series
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Executive presence is the ability to command attention, build trust and inspire others to follow you. It’s an essential skill for women leaders in media, entertainment and technology, where the competitive business landscape is constantly evolving. This exclusive program is designed to equip you with the confidence and strategies you need to excel. You’ll gain access to a unique toolkit of powerful attributes, skills and thought processes that will propel you to new heights of success.
Registration: Summer
Program: September
Betsy Magness Leadership Institute
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Recognized as the premier leadership development program for senior-level women across media, entertainment and technology, The WICT Network’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (BMLI) is a highly sought-after opportunity.
Established in 1994, more than 1,200 top-ranking industry executives have graduated from the program. BMLI convenes top ranked executive education institutions to provide competitively selected leaders with a year-long, immersive experience focused on developing critical leadership competencies and a B2B network.
The curriculum blends experiential and data-driven approaches to mastering the skills necessary for success at the executive level. BMLI participants are immersed in hands-on learning activities, structured introspection, classroom lectures, research, and peer mentoring. As part of the learning journey, BMLI incorporates custom, assessment-based executive coaching, providing participants with interactive, guided explorations of strengths, development opportunities and how to leverage and manage both for exponential leadership impact.
Registration: November
Program: Year-long
Betsy Magness Graduate Institute
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Created by The WICT Network and developed in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership, the Betsy Magness Graduate Institute (BMGI) is designed anew annually to build upon the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute curriculum providing graduates with the latest tools, techniques and disciplines to hone their business strategies.
As a BMGI participant, you can expect to experience all that you’ve come to appreciate about Betsy Magness programs – learning, inspiration, community and reconnection! You will not only learn about the latest trends in leadership and strategic thinking from innovative subject-matter experts, but there will be ample time for networking with your peers.
Registration: July
Program: November
Conferences
The WICT Network: Midwest Tech it Out
Strengthening gender diversity fosters innovation and improves the bottom line. Programs like Tech It Out give our members tools they need to keep pace with the latest advances in technology while connecting them with industry leaders and pioneers.
The WICT Network’s Tech It Out initiative premiered in 2009 with the goal of creating strong women leaders in technology and raising awareness about the vast opportunities for women in the tech fields within our industry.
Registration: February
Program: April
The WICT Network Leadership Conference
Explore engaging super sessions, interactive workshops, expert panels, personalized coaching and ample networking opportunities designed to elevate your leadership skills at The WICT Network Leadership Conference.
The lineup includes thought leaders from diverse backgrounds—academics, business pioneers, technologists and futurists—each bringing invaluable insights gained from years of experience. They’ll cover a broad spectrum of topics crucial for navigating today’s dynamic industry landscape.
Registration: Summer/Fall
Program: October
