Student Spotlight: Emily Bally

Emily Bally is graduating this spring with a dual degree in business administration and history, as well as a minor in women’s studies. For Women’s History Month, she offers tips and insight on how to succeed as a woman in business.

Q: Tell us about a woman in business you admire.

Bally: “A businesswoman I admire right now is Rihanna. Beyond the fact that her music is so far-reaching, both Savage x Fenty and Fenty Beauty have revolutionized the fashion and beauty industries and have made plus-size fashion and shade inclusivity the new standard that all brands should look up to. She knows how far her impact goes and I admire how intentional she is.”

Q: You’re the president of FWIB. Tell us a little about how the organization can help young women hoping to enter into the industry.

Bally: “Florida Women in Business (FWIB) strives to be a safe space for all women interested in business, as well as being accessible to all. FWIB goes as far back as 2005/2006, so our FWIB family is everywhere! Our recent grads and alumni are one of our greatest resources, and many of them come back to Warrington to speak about their experiences at companies like KPMG, Protiviti and Oracle NetSuite.

“In addition, there is no application to join, meaning you can come and go as you want! I have some friends who have been part of FWIB and went on to join other amazing organizations, but FWIB has still been part of their professional development and career journey because of what we have to offer. You can be involved as little or as much as you want. We offer leadership opportunities like joining a committee, becoming a chair under a VP and a Mentor-Mentee Program. We also host community service events, socials and professional development workshops, where you get to connect and surround yourself with other amazing, inspiring ladies!”

Q: Can you offer a networking tip to other young professionals?

Bally: “A networking tip I have is to start now and utilize the Warrington resources available to you! Schedule a meeting with your assigned Business Career Services coach, introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have for them. You can also go to the CAP mentors for a resume review or interview help and look for a mentor who is pursuing a career in an area you may be interested in. It can also be as easy as attending a general body meeting at one of our many student organizations and making a friend – as you start to grow, your network will, too!”

Q: What are your post-graduation career plans?

Bally: “I’ll be working full-time for Macy’s in their corporate office in New York City as a trainee in their Merchandising Executive Development Program. It truly couldn’t have been done without my support system at FWIB.”