The Women's Career Network (WCN) was founded in 1992 to serve as a resource and support network for women seeking to develop and expand their career opportunities in Austria. Since 2003, in response to increasing globalisation, we now enjoy a European footprint through our partnership with the European Professional Women's Network, which aids in our member's professional development throughout Europe.
Being a member of the WCN gives you access to the following:
- Monthly General Meetings
- Networking Opportunities
- Membership Workbook
- Europe-wide Networking
- E-mail Network
- Monthly Newsletter
- WCN Website
- Networking Club Events
- Training Programs
- JOIN THE WCN: Membership fee and Registration...
Monthly General Meetings featuring Facilitated Networking Exercises and Guest Speakers
WCN monthly programs cover an array of topics of interest to professional women. We begin each meeting with a facilitated networking exercise which allows our members to get to know each other better. Thereafter we always have an interesting speaker with topics ranging from professional development, women in management, current world events and business issues, and managing your finances, to cross-cultural issues and challenges in the workplace. Our speakers include top managers and representatives from industry, government and NGO’s, entrepreneurs, coaches, and journalists. Please see our past events section for a sample of previous meeting content.
All General Meetings are open to both WCN members and guests. Our meetings are held Our meetings are held either at the Hotel Intercontinental, Johannesgasse 28, 1030 Vienna, or at The Vienna Hilton, Am Stadtpark, 1030 Vienna. Please check the event calendar for the exact location each month.
Agenda:
7:00pm - 7:30pm - Registration & Networking
7:30pm - 7:40pm – Steering Committee Announcements
7:40pm - 8:00pm – Facilitated Networking Exercise
8:00pm - 8:45pm - Speaker
8:45pm - 9:00pm - Q & A
9:00pm – Post Meeting Networking
Networking Opportunities
Making and nurturing contacts are the key ingredients to successful networking! Member surveys show that networking is the number reason why our members join the network. The WCN provides our members with many opportunities to make contacts but ultimately it is up to each women to make certain to bring along her business cards and introduce herself to fellow members and guests. Don't be shy...we offer a professionally friendly environment and our members are very approachable!
Each WCN meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. with 30 minutes of networking. This time gives members an opportunity each month to share experiences, meet friends, and make new contacts. Additionally, after the meeting many members stay on to continue networking at the hotel bar.
Of course, additional networking opportunities are available during our facilitated networking exercise, at our monthly Networking Club events, periodic training events and individually by contacting members based on their profiles in the online directory or the membership workbook.
Many of these networking experiences have led to job leads, career advancement, professional development, sharing of experience and advise, and good friendships.
Membership Workbook
The WCN Workbook is a valuable networking resource for all members consisting of a one-page profile of each member including educational background, professional history, talents and interests. This directory is compiled annually and is distributed to our members at the monthly meetings. Each member receives a workbook form (via email) to create or update their profile.
Europe-wide Networking via the European Professional Women's Network
The European Professional Women's Network (EPWN) is an umbrella organization that aids effective, seamless networking – online and offline across Europe's major capitals. This service allows members to search for peers and networking events, contribute to think-tanks or advertise services.
WCN members have privileged access to the pan-European network of EPWN.
Begin the Europe-wide networking experience by creating your online profile. This profile is important not only for Europe-wide networking but gives all local WCN members access to your latest data! The EPWN database provides information on nearly 2,000 professional women dedicated to leading positive and progressive change. By logging on to the EPWN network you will be able to access profiles, register for local events and share or request information in the member message board.
Login is easy! You only need only two items: your account name & password. Your account is always your full name (firstname.lastname). Once you become a WCN member, you will receive your EPWN password automatically via email usually one week after joining the WCN.
Forgot your password? Don't despair! Simply follow the instructions on the login-page and a new password will be emailed to you automatically in matter of seconds.
E-mail Network
Members receive relevant information via email, including exclusive job announcements, reminders and information about upcoming WCN activities and trainings, and information regarding events of interest to professional women. In addition, as a member you can use this service to request help from other members in the form of information, contacts or recommendations regarding specific topics. Don't miss out on this great benefit by ensuring we have your correct email address when you join and that you update the treasurer and your online profile should your email address change in the future!
Monthly Newsletter
The monthly newsletter, WCN Network News, informs members of upcoming activities, offers reviews of our monthly meetings, relevant information about living and working in Austria, book and movie reviews, as well as, special feature articles and a new theme of the month section. Advertising opportunities are available as well! All members are welcome to contribute to the newsletter. Members are informed via email when the new newsletter is available on the website. Feel free to have a look at our past Newsletters in our Newsletter Archive.
WCN Website
Log on to www.wcnvienna.org to learn about our history and the benefit of joining the WCN. In addition to such general information about the network, the site also informs members about upcoming meetings and events, features a picture gallery, the monthly newsletter (including past issues), links to the EPWN, success stories & quotes, an archive section of previous events and a member services section which allows members to advertise their business, as well as, post ads in our Classified Ads section for real estate listings and items for sale.
Networking Club (formerly Social & Adventure Dining club)
WCN regularly organises networking events that provide a relaxed social environment to network and expand your contacts in a smaller setting than the general meeting offers. The networking events take place monthly, usually on a Thursday evening. These smaller gatherings provide the perfect opportunity for newcomers to feel welcome and longer term members to reconnect with friends and nurture existing connections.
This networking can be done while enjoying such activities as a Happy Hour in different locations, guided tours in English at different museums (MAK, Palais Liechtenstein, Kunsthaus Wien, etc.) combined with drinks afterwards or special guided tours (e.g. double feature „The Third Man“: cinema + tour, a tour of the Austrian Parliament, etc.)
Additionally, we hold two larger networking events each year. Our annual December Holiday Party and end-of-season summer Heurigen Evening always draw a lively crowd! The events are held in a different venue each year and spouses and friends are invited to get to know the network and enjoy the nice atmosphere with us!
Training Programs
WCN periodically organizes attractively priced training events for our members. These trainings cover a range of topics and past events have included career management, public speaking and presentation skills, increasing your energy, conflict management, breaking through the glass ceiling, and learning to write a proper CV. Members are encouraged to suggest training ideas they would like to see offered and advise the training coordinator of any qualified trainers they are familiar with that could provide interesting courses for our members.