Blog Archive - 2016

She directs all research on workforce development and STEM education for API, with a special focus on promoting the industry’s work with non-traditional allies. This research includes studies on employment projections, educational attainment trends, building trades and labor unions.

Over the last 50 years the presence of Utah women in the labor force has slowly increased at about 8% per year. Utah women are unique in that they are less likely to full time, year round. Many factors contribute to this including marital status, and family status. More than 40% of Utah women work in just two occupational groups.

In December of 2016, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utah increase women's participation in the labor force. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Six primary themes emerged from the qualitative data gathered from the combined survey and dialogue table notes. There is interesting overlap between these data and those listed above. First, the most frequently mentioned solution is to help more women in Utah to attend and complete college.

Eva Tukuafu, MSW, LCSW is a clinical program manager and social worker in the Movement Disorder and Neuromuscular Divisions at the University of Utah, Department of Neurology. She joined the Department of Neurology in April 2015 in a newly created position.

Utah has improved its national ranking for individuals in science and engineering occupations as a percentage of all occupations: from 19th in 2013 to 13th in 2014.5 Yet, Utah women are not necessarily part of this growth, as they lag behind men in STEM participation.

Nearly one in two women in the U.S. will experience some form of sexual violence victimization in her lifetime (broadly defined), and Utah has the same overall rate. According to the most recent Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice report, when considering more specific definitions.

Over the past half-century or so, Utah women’s participation in the labor force has steadily increased at a rate of about 8% per decade. According to the most recent (2015) U.S. Census Bureau estimates, women in Utah make up 43.9% of the state workforce, which is slightly lower than the national workforce.

Growing Up. Over half of the survey participants said that they had their greatest struggles with confidence between 6th and 12th grades. Factors that most negatively affected confidence included unstable or unsafe homes, dysfunctional families (i.e., abuse and neglect), and poor relationship with parents.

The gender wage gap in Utah is one of the highest in the nation; women are much more likely to work minimum wage jobs, and women in Utah have lower levels of educational achievement—particularly at the bachelor’s degree level and higher—than women across the nation.

Confidence and Related Terms. “Acting” and “doing” build confidence. We need to “act” to make a difference and to be effective leaders. Understanding the differences and relationships among confidence, self-esteem, self-compassion, optimism, and self-efficacy is critical.

Michelle Mumford is an attorney in private practice in Salt Lake. She attended law school at Brigham Young University and worked at a large law firm on Wall Street after law school. She took eight years off to be at home with young children, and then reentered the legal profession as a clerk for Judge Monroe G. McKay.

In this blog we highlight the results from the first two research questions analyzed: “Why does Utah struggle with getting more women in leadership roles?” and “What do you think about Utah women, leadership, and confidence?” Data on these questions were gathered from the UWLP LinkedIn group.

Overall, women in Utah live in poverty at a lower rate than the national average: Utah women (12.2%) vs. U.S. women (16%), and census data for 2015 ranks Utah 12th in the nation for the percentage of people living above the poverty line. The poverty rates are notably worse for certain groups.

I am passionate about making a difference. As the director of the Division of Family and Community Relations in the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my responsibilities include local business, interfaith and community relationships, as well women’s, LGBT and race issues.

DeLaina Tonks has been the director of Utah’s award-winning Mountain Heights Academy since 2009. Prior to leading Mountain Heights Academy, DeLaina taught high school French and Spanish, and worked as an instructional designer in Upper Arlington, Ohio. She also ran a family business for several years.

Utah has a strong history of women’s political and civic involvement. The state was an early leader in giving women the vote, was home to the first female state senator in the nation, and as recently as 1996, had the strongest women’s voter participation in the United States.

I am majoring in Business Management with an emphasis in International Business and with a minor in Digital Media Product Management and Russian studies. In addition to regular course work, I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at UVU.

The UWLP has published a number of research and policy briefs to help Utahans understand the status of women in a variety of settings and roles (i.e., politics, education, nonprofits, business, and entrepreneurs). This brief continues that research by exploring the status of women on Utah state boards and commissions.

There are many barriers preventing girls and young women from obtaining a post-secondary degree. Financial concerns are number one, and yet all of the data points to the fact that in our state, scholarships and financial aid are drastically underutilized. The other major barrier is more subtle, and may be more specific to Utah girls.

Crystal is the managing partner and co-founder of Brand.Pink: a cause-oriented marketing, branding, PR, and event production firm since 2010. She is also the Executive Director of the Utah Cultural Alliance. In existence since 1981, the Utah Cultural Alliance boasts over 150 member organizations and individuals.

It’s no secret that men and women are different, from the way we look to the way we behave. Amongst those differences are inherent leadership strengths each gender boasts. As female leaders, we often spend time focusing on men’s natural leadership qualities because men achieve and retain the majority of leadership positions.

One of the reasons I love working for McKinnon-Mulherin is that we are always working on new projects with diverse clients, which keeps things interesting and satisfies my hankering to learn about new things. Over the years, I’ve done everything from writing million-dollar government proposals to creating multi-day instructor-led training.

My primary career for the past 25 years has been raising my five wonderful children. I have been a volunteer and taught ESL to federal inmates for the 17 of those years at Davis County Jail. I have also been a mentor at an alternative high school for low income students and I’ve spent many years as a member on the community council.

A cover letter is your opportunity to show what you know about the job and to demonstrate why you’re the best fit. The cover letter lets you express your personality, passion, and goals – where your resume focuses on your skills and qualifications. A brief and well-written cover letter also demonstrates your ability to write and communicate.

Margaret R. Tarampi, Ph.D. Assoc. AIA is a Research Associate in the Center for Spatial Studies at University of California Santa Barbara and a postdoctoral researcher working with Mary Hegarty in the UCSB Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. She's also an Associate Instructor in the Department of Psychology at UofU.

A PhD Candidate Counseling Psychology at BYU, her academic research is primarily in the area of multicultural competence in Psychotherapy. Her social justice interests are broadly defined, but can expressed through the term intersectional feminism. Mica enjoys community activism and is involved with several non-profits.

Holly Richardson is a wife, mother, small business owner and political activist, often known as “Holly on the Hill.” She is delighted to currently work with Dr. Susan Madsen and the team at the Utah Women and Education Initiative.Other previous work has included being a midwife, a state legislator, and a social media consultant.

Eve Miller is the director of research for FranklinCovey Education and an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah. Eve has a PhD. in cognitive neuroscience from the University of Utah and did most of her academic research on the environmental factors that play a role in cognitive performance.

Charlene McArthur Albarran was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. She graduated with honors from Boise State University with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Statistics. She was founder and CEO of three companies. She has also founded and served as president of two foundations, both dedicated to the homeless.

I’m still figuring out my path, and I think that’s true of most people. I am an activator, achievor, learner, and futurist, so I spend probably too much time visioning what’s ahead and how I can get there. I also am one who will try a variety of paths and methods and see what sticks.

Worked for the Utah Department of Human Services since 1991. Currently, the Director of the Office of Licensing and oversees the licensure of all human service programs throughout the state, including treatment facilities and foster homes. Prior to that worked with the Division of Child and Family Services for over 20 years.

I am currently Superintendent of Schools in the Iron County School District located in Cedar City Utah. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else (professionally) that could be more rewarding. I am committed to the work and the service that takes place in our schools and love the people I am privileged to associate with everyday.

There are some days when the weight of my responsibilities and my physical limitations are poignant. It’s almost enough to make you crazy to think that you can’t just jump in a car and go wherever you want to go—that you have to get a ride with someone or pay for a taxi.

I have worked at Mountainland Applied Technology College in Utah County for almost 12 years. Throughout my time there I have worked in a variety of departments including Student Services, Finance, and currently as the Director of Healthcare Programs. When I made the decision to go back to school, I knew it would have to be 100% online.

I am currently a PhD candidate in Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah. I have been teaching writing composition courses at the U of U, as well as a variety of other English, communication, general education, and writing courses at several other local universities and colleges.

Brené is an advocate of one’s vulnerability and embodiment of the phrase: good enough. She is a phenomenal woman and motivator. She has vulnerably shared her own story with the world, proving that through your own struggles you can help others to reach their fullest potential.

I have always loved school. I was a quintessential teachers pet as a kid, got good grades, always did my homework, and wanted nothing more than to teach high school. I went to Boise State right out of high school on an honors scholarship, but still had to work two jobs to pay for my apartment and living expenses.

I am studying to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Besides the fact that working with kids can be great fun, I believe that if you want to have healthy populations you need to start with supporting the health of children. I am attending school in Colorado because my specialty is not offered in Utah.

What makes being a woman business owner different? Utah women are unique in both how effective they are at starting and operating businesses, but also the reasons behind why and what they sell. What is truly amazing is how women in Utah are starting businesses 5 times faster than the national average.

I graduated from BYU in Accounting in 1981. I earned my CPA in California and worked in Public Accounting with a “big 8” firm. Over the years I remained engaged in my profession even when I was predominantly a full time mother. I eventually stepped back into the workforce part time, and then full time.

Sometimes a degree is only viewed as a stepping-stone to a lucrative career, but maybe that’s part of the problem with the gender and education gap. If a college education is only viewed as a prereq to that nice salary position, those who don’t see themselves in the breadwinner role or the white-collar job.

I currently work at Utah State University Eastern as the Director of Student Life, Leadership, and Involvement. In this position, I work directly with our student government and student activities team, leadership programs, and diversity and inclusion programs.

I attend the University of Utah School of Medicine as a second year medical student, so right now my life mostly consists of studying, studying, and studying. The good news is the things I get to learn and do are incredibly exciting and I feel very privileged to be learning how to care for patients.

Before retiring in May 2014, my mom, Kathy, worked in a sector of education which is often overlooked, but imperative for those struggling with speech difficulties. As a speech language pathologist (SLP) she was employed in the Utah public school districts for a little over 35 years.

“Too nasty.” “Too mean.” “Too confrontive.” “Too intrusive.” These are just a few of the common responses I receive when approaching capable women about possibly running for political office. And who can blame them? Spend any amount of time watching the political pundit de jour and you can leave disillusioned and pessimistic.

A long and circuitous path has led me to my current career in education. As an undergraduate in the early 00’s I was pretty dead-set on following a route that would lead me directly to a PhD in primatology. I spent a few years working at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Central Florida.

I currently work as an office manager at Ascione Law in Orem. I really groove on organization and in improving and streamlining systems and processes. I am an ISTJ for you Myers-Briggs fans. I am interested in moving into operations but the lack of a degree is limiting my ability to do that.

I’m currently at Westminster, and I actually LIKE doing research and writing literature reviews. I never want to leave grad school. I work as a legal assistant for a solo practice attorney, and the clerk at Staples calls me his “little sidekick.” I like to play “The Hills” in the background while I write papers and file court documents.

When I saw my son start to struggle, all I could think was “That will not happen to my child!” So I started learning more and more about dyslexia. I found help for my son and a passion for helping other families and their children. There is no reason that ANY CHILD should ever be ashamed of the way they think and learn.

There are 21 women out of approximately 65 interns. Moreover, there are only 3 women of color that I can see (including myself). Of course, this is a dramatic improvement from 1998, when now-Salt Lake City Mayor (and my former boss) Jackie Biskupski first took her seat in the House of Representatives.

I received my PhD in Business Policy and Strategy from The Ohio State University. I earned a Master’s in Organizational Behavior and a B.A in Economics, both from Brigham Young University. Prior to my appointment on the faculty at Westminster College, I was on the faculty at Cal Poly for seven years.

I’m really excited about the possibilities for teaching children different non-violent conflict resolution practices and for contributing to a more sustainable, socially equitable educational system.I think it’s a moral imperative to take action through education to make the world a more peaceful place.

This is my first semester in the Master’s of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Utah. It has been a blast so far! There are 34 of us in the class of 2018 and we have become close already. Our professors are so knowledgeable and provide us with a lot of practical insights. I am thrilled that this dream came true for me!

While cold calling or emailing your resume may work, it really is best if you are able to network with your interviewer. Do you know someone who might know your interviewer? Have them introduce you or put in a good word for you. Networking is everything, but it’s become this overwhelming buzzword.

Her original career aspiration was to become a biology teacher; but just prior to going to college, a seed was planted that would grow and blossom many years later in a way that she didn’t expect. When she was a student at Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, the football team pulled a prank on rivals.

As a result of my egalitarian upbringing, it had never occurred to me that I could not have both a family and a career (after all, my mom did). I was seventeen before I encountered a certain idea typically prevalent within my faith culture: that good, worthy motherhood was only of the full-time stay-at-home variety.

Trying to choose between career paths or majors? Are you having trouble deciding between many interesting and appealing work settings? Are you looking for a rewarding, respected field where you can be a professional and still desire flexibility for your family? Perhaps you are looking for a profession with great pay.

Is Utah a good place for women to start and run businesses? You may be misled if you rely on what the media has been reporting the past few years about women in Utah. A host of state rankings has continually put Utah as one of the worst states in the nation for women.

I am also a survivor of domestic violence. I am committed to educating my community as to the very real dangers that we are facing. I have spent countless hours on Capitol Hill advocating for change and pressing for new legislation that will truly protect and empower victims of domestic violence.