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Over two transformative days in April, the �ʹڲ�Ʊ Business School brought together over 30 bright, driven Year 11 and 12 female-identifying students for the inaugural��Empower Her: Women in Finance, Economics, and Politics Workshop.

Held in Parramatta during the 2025 school holidays and delivered in partnership with the �ʹڲ�Ʊ Gender Equality Hub, the workshop was more than just a learning experience; it was a launchpad for future changemakers.

Designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to careers in traditionally male-dominated fields, Empower Her offered students a rare opportunity to connect with trailblazing women, explore real-world challenges, and envision their own powerful futures.

The �ʹڲ�Ʊ Business School EDI team caught up with Jess Vandermeer, a Year 12 student from Merewether High School, to hear how the program reshaped her perspective and inspired her next steps.

I first glimpsed the “Empower Her Workshop” buried within the endless stream of emails that Year 12 students seem to be synonymous with, nestled between reminders about trials and UAC deadlines.

I was lucky enough to be invited following my attendance at the 2024 Girls in Business Camp, a program that first sparked my interest in finance and helped me realise just how many young women are also eager to explore the world of finance and economics.

The first day, 14 April, began with a deep dive into the persistent underrepresentation of women in finance, particularly in high-impact roles like investment banking and asset management, and we looked at the vital role women can play in the workforce.��

Brought these ideas to life, making the world of finance feel more tangible than any classroom ever had, and showcasing the vast opportunities and lifestyles that the field offers.

We followed this with a team-based challenge in household budgeting and learned the basics of financial management, all while bonding with our tablemates. My team struggled to spend our imaginary surplus, which was a wonderful problem to have!

Lunch was filled with the exchange of LinkedIn profiles, growing our budding networks, and making genuine connections with like-minded young women.

Later sessions explored the global ramifications of financial illiteracy, the gender leadership gap, and how women can lead with both strength and empathy.

A fascinating panel of trailblazing women shared stories of resilience, showing how they turned obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into success. Their stories prompted deep reflection on what we, too, could achieve.��

With fresh inspiration, we researched various career pathways in finance and shared our findings.

Using this newfound in-depth knowledge, we created our own personalised life-goal timelines to map out our potential finance future pathways. The day finished with a helpful overview of the finance-related degrees offered at �ʹڲ�Ʊ, offering us a deeper insight into our academic paths forward.��

The day concluded with a reverse panel, giving us the chance to articulate our insights and demonstrate the depth of our learning through thoughtful reflection.

More so than anything, the Empower Her workshop taught me to embrace uncertainty.

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As the end of high school looms, so too does the pressure to choose the ‘perfect’ university and the ‘right’ degree. However, listening to the countless women who had built successful, yet unpredictable careers demonstrated to me that uncertainty is not something to fear but rather something to be embraced, as the twists and turns of life, and often, where the most powerful lessons lie.

I also realised just how deep the gender disparities in finance still run. Having grown up around successful women in the industry, I (naively) assumed we sorted this out years ago! The workshop was a much-needed wake-up call, and one that has made me more determined to be part of the change.

I found it particularly beneficial to witness real, successful women sharing their stories. They acknowledged the adversity that they faced, but also how they overcame and transformed these challenges into success.

It was incredibly inspiring to witness their success as living proof that dreams can transform into reality. It was also incredibly reassuring to realise my peers and I would not be alone when entering this male-dominated industry, and that so many women had already paved the way and were ready to welcome us with open arms.

To any high school student considering the Empower Her workshop in 2026, I couldn’t recommend it more! You have nothing to lose and yet so much to gain.

You will learn directly from accomplished women, discover new pathways, and connect with other ambitious, like-minded young women. Empower Her is your chance to step into a strong, inspiring network of women and to realise you belong there, too.