Frequently Asked Questions

Women in Business is a student group dedicated to building confidence, community, and empowerment among our 45 members. To do so, we host 14 workshops a year (two per month) covering a wide range of personal and professional development topics, equipping our members with the skills they need to reach their highest potential in the workforce.

Beyond skill development, WIB places equal emphasis on building community. Whether inside our workshops or beyond them, members connect and form genuine relationships with one another, building a network of powerful women and allies,  an asset just as valuable, if not more so, than any skill we teach.

No. Despite the name, Women in Business, it is open to anyone from all faculties. WIB is a space for underrepresented people interested in business to build a network of support and have access to resources for professional and personal development. We welcome all UofA students of any gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, socio-economic background interested in professional development! 

We focus on professional development by building both confidence and tangible skills. This year, we hosted a range of workshops led by career professionals across business, covering topics like public speaking, personal branding, financial literacy, and interview prep, among many others. We also host more informal sessions for members, such as LinkedIn prep, unconventional career talks, and developing emotional intelligence (EQ).

Check out our workshops page for the full list of our formal, corporate-led sessions!

The biweekly workshops are mandatory for all WIB executive and general members. Two workshops are held each month, excluding university-recognized breaks and holidays. Workshops take place every other Thursday from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on the University of Alberta’s North Campus!

Absolutely not! We're committed to providing resources for everyone looking to improve their professional skills. Accessibility is important to WIB, so there's no cost to join as an executive or member. Our workshops are free and some throughout the year are open to the public as well. 

The majority of our workshops are exclusive to Women in Business members, allowing us to create a close-knit environment where members can actively participate, build meaningful connections, and develop their skills together throughout the year.

However, each year WIB also hosts two open workshops that are free and open to all students. These events provide an opportunity for anyone to experience the Women in Business community and learn from industry professionals.

To stay up to date on our open workshops and other events, be sure to follow us on Instagram!

WIB has a unique student group structure with an executive team along with 45 member positions. The 45 members are part of the biweekly workshops, and receive training on professional skills like salary negotiation, resume building, interview preparation, pitch development, and more. These 45 members build a strong network internally to support one another professionally and personally. Together, they also work on brainstorming and building the Community Initiative (by volunteering 20 hours). 

Separate from members, the executive works on creating these experiences for the members by planning all the meetings and arranging the speakers. Each executive role is unique and this year, the executive is composed of the Co-Chairs, VP Events, VP External,  VP Internal, VP Marketing, VP Finance, VP Charity, Events Director, External Director, Social Media Director and Blog Writer. 

The general public is also invited to select WIB events, such as our open workshops that are specifically advertised on WIB’s marketing channels.

The Member Initiative is a member-led project that provides a platform for members to utilize the skills they learn through Women In Business workshops. Through planning and implementing this event, members have the opportunity to apply these skills to real-life scenarios. WIB members will have the chance to practice important sponsorship acquisition, event-planning, budgeting, and marketing skills while spreading WIB values to the community around them. 

In previous years, the Women In Business 2021/22 members created a Not-For-Profit fair for the University of Alberta community. This event brought awareness to the numerous Not-For-Profit organizations that co-exist in our community while teaching young women within Women In Business the valuable skills behind event planning and networking. 

The members chose which Not-For-Profits to showcase, thus, the event was uniquely crafted to suit our members' vision. WIB seeks to be the bridge that connects young female students with the ability to explore what careers and personal ventures they can build using their degree.

Currently, the 2026/27 members are required to complete 20 volunteer hours throughout the school year.

Membership applications open each year in April. To become a WIB member, students complete a two-step application process consisting of a written application followed by an interview.

Applications are shared through a Google Form linked on our Instagram page. After reviewing applications and conducting interviews, our cohort is finalized in May in preparation for the upcoming academic year.

Any University of Alberta student enrolled during the academic year they are applying for is eligible to apply for Women in Business. We welcome students from all faculties and backgrounds, and there are no restrictions based on age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or previous experience. If you're excited to learn, grow, and be part of our community, we'd love to see your application!

Although there is an application process to join WIB, we are not looking for the most technically qualified or best resume. We want enthusiastic, curious, and dedicated individuals to be on our team and the purpose of the written application and interviews is to pick 45 individuals that are excited to gain new skills and enhance the experience of the other members as well. The application process is not meant to be stressful so please reach out to any members of the executive for any questions or concerns!

Each year, Women in Business hosts two open workshops that are free and open to all University of Alberta students. These events are a great opportunity to learn from industry professionals, connect with other students, and experience the WIB community.

To stay informed about upcoming open workshops and other events, be sure to follow us on Instagram.

Thank you for your interest! To get in touch please email uofawomeninbusiness@gmail.com or fill out the contact form.