The Girls’ Network’s #BeYou Summit in Brighton
On July 14th, Enterprise, a named Times Top 50 Best Companies for Women company, supported The Girls’ Network ambassador programme.
After donating £250,000 towards the mentoring organisation, Enterprise employees volunteered their time to help at the #BeYou event at PlusX in Brighton.
Over 100 girls from nearby schools and ambassadors in Sussex came together for the event and had the opportunity to take part in skills development workshops, whilst also listening to motivational speakers.
The Girls’ Network is a national charity which was started in 2013 when secondary school teachers, Charley and Becca, witnessed the multiple barriers that girls face within their classrooms.
They set up 30 girls on a one-to-one mentoring scheme to build girls’ confidence and life skills. The mentoring program also provides events that help prepare young women to “be bold, be brave, be you and be heard” and activities to challenge stereotypes and social expectations of young women.
Simon Caughey-Rogers, Enterprise Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist, said that they had wanted to work with an organisation whose values “aligned closely with our business to fulfil our philanthropic responsibility, which The Girls’ Network did perfectly.”
He spoke about how both companies are effecting change within the community, such as Enterprises’ ROAD Forward funding.
“Companies are now more global and connected than ever before and are also culturally aware”
Jennifer Koontz (Vice President of European Properties and Airports)
The initiative is the $55million donation that Enterprise Holdings Foundation has pledged over five years from 2020. The aim is to assist people from different racial and and socio-economic backgrounds, though deepening Respect, expanding Opportunities, enabling Achievements, and unleashing the power of Diversity in communities, which was reflected through the #BeYou events.
Jennifer Koontz, Vice President of European Properties and Airports and a qualified yoga instructor, worked alongside Simon and kicked off the “empowering” event with a fun mindful exercise.
She said that “companies are now more global and connected than ever before and are also culturally aware.” Jennifer advised girls from diverse cultures to not allow “fear of being different or having a different opinion to hold them back.”
“Enterprise fundamentally believes in the inspiration of young people in regard to career and ambition. It allows us to continue to learn from younger people about what they want to see from an employer, and what we can do to attract the right candidates.”
Zak, an ambassador for The Girls’ Network, explained that she joined to help advocate change for girls and expose them to opportunities which may not be available to them.
She saw how Enterprise’s support allowed the event to take place in person and prioritised the goal of creating connections. It was “important to help the community and the girls develop stronger connections,” Zak said.
Zak also commented on how Enterprise’s CV clinic showed the girls “what large global companies are looking for in CVs” and that the event prepared them for real interviews with practice interview questions, which the girls found beneficial and helped to build confidence.
Spoken word poet, Cerys Evans, described the event as “touching” and “engaging”. She was motivated by the girls who were “ready to make their mark on the world.”
Cerys used poems which reflect her feelings, and project the core message of the event.
'Dear Perfectionism', epitomises #BeYou, while reflecting on being a crowd pleaser. Cerys advises young girls that they can only control their thoughts and actions and the person they choose to be when they face a setback.
Jennifer Koontz with spoken word poet, Cerys Evans
Talent Acquisition Specialists Raj Dohil and Zoe Croll hosted the CV clinic.
They described it as a chance to “give access and insight into the world of work” while providing “the confidence and little push to show them that they are in the right direction.”
Many of the young girls may not have the opportunity to assess and tailor their CVs for future employment and speaking to a professional person gave them exposure to the employment world.
Zoe explained that the goal was to show that Enterprise is not just a car rental company, it is a business that has so many different opportunities for women.
Further links:
Book recommendation from Jen Koontz: The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer
Learn more about The Girls Network
Learn more about Enterprise: 17 Years a Times Top 50 Employer for Women
Learn more about Enterprise funding for The Girls' Network: Enterprise funds girls ambassador network
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk
