WIJ EVENT - 'Surviving and Succeeding in the Credit Crunch' - 2nd February 2010

Women in Journalism kicked off the new year (postponed from snowed-in January) with an upbeat event in London at Wiggin & Co, W1, with a panel discussion on surviving and succeeding in the downturn.  Forty women turned up, some members, some new guests, to hear speakers, Charlie Jordan (radio presenter, poet, performance artist, writer); Max Houghton, Editor of Foto 8, MA course leader (Westminster photojournalism) and Tanya Chakravarti, Executive Coach, late of BBC's HR Directorate.  In the chair was Corinne Sweet, long-time WIJ member and writer, psychologist and broadcaster - erstwhile 'agony aunt'.  Unfortunately, Elie Williams, Commissioning Editor for Pearsons Education was indisposed, although she sent her 'top tips' for survival.

Several themes emerged from the evening:  the importance of 'upping your game', in the face of increased competition.  All the panel agreed that women are often bad at 'selling' themselves, and will in fact, undersell their achievements and limit their goals.  The panel encouraged investigating new avenues, pursuing long-held dreams, and honing skills.  There was an emphasis on finishing qualifications, getting retrained, building websites and networking shamelessly.

The evening was definitely upbeat, informative and fun and there was some time for networking over wine both before and after the panel discussion.  WIJ gained some new members, while members, new and old, gained both support and inspiration in equal measure.