Campus Connection

UWL’s Women in Business club connects with Deloitte for networking, learning 

The UW-La Crosse Women in Business (WIB) club's mission is to empower women to become strong leaders by providing professional development, networking opportunities and real-world business experiences. 

All of those priorities were on display during the club’s recent visit to the Deloitte offices in Milwaukee, where they met with working professionals and discovered career opportunities in the world of business management consulting. 

“We initially found out about this opportunity when one of the campus recruiters reached out to me and let us know about a cross-school Women in Business Networking Event and invited our organization,” explains Erin Poggemann, president of WIB and a double-major in information systems and marketing. “Thanks to our sponsors, UWL’s College of Business Administration, Performance Food Group (PFG) and Northwestern Mutual, we were able to make this trip accessible for our members.”

The event at Deloitte featured a panel of female business professionals who shared their career paths and experiences, followed by an informal networking opportunity. 

“It was inspiring to see how supportive Deloitte is for women in business, and how each panelist had taken a unique path to get to where they are today,” says Brynn Ford, a member of WIB and a senior finance major.

The networking aspect of the trip was especially memorable for Ford. 

“Talking with them afterward felt like a genuine conversation rather than just another networking event,” Ford shares. “They were open about their experiences and offered great advice, which made the experience even more impactful.” 

The panel and networking event showed how different career paths can unfold, Poggemann says, and helped her envision what she wants in a future workplace.

“This event reminded me how important it is to put yourself out there and have conversations,” Poggemann says. “It opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”

The WIB club hosts various events each year, including professional workshops led by local businesswomen, social nights for members, company visits to places like PFG and Deloitte, and an end-of-year celebration to recognize the growth and connections built throughout the year. 

“We create an uplifting space for female students to build confidence, form friendships and connect with industry professionals,” Poggeman says.

Ford shares that the WIB club has helped her gain an outlet for professional development and networking, in addition to introducing her to like-minded peers. 

“WIB has given me the confidence and resources to prepare for my future career,” Ford says. “Events like the Deloitte trip reinforce how important it is to build connections and seek out opportunities beyond the classroom.”