Her Campus is an online magazine for college women that provides paid internships and opportunities for students to gain real world experiences such as social media management, marketing, and journalism paid internships while being enrolled in school. Her Campus has grown and evolved since its start in 2009 by the help of the brand’s founders Stephanie Kaplan, Annie Wang, and Windsor Hanger Western. These women started their journey together at Harvard University after receiving the Harvard Student Agencies Investment Award. In 2017 Kaplan, Wang, and Western were all named in Forbes most influential 30 under 30 for Her Campus Media. Since then Her Campus just continues to grow and expand nationwide all over different campuses.

Stephanie Kaplan, Windsor Hanger Western, and Annie Wang

Her Campus has created an in person experience for college students and recent grads to come together to network, learn new skills, ask questions, and gain knowledge from keynote speakers. We had the opportunity to attend Her Conference where young women listened to keynote speakers, networked, and met other Her Campus chapter members. This was an amazing opportunity for students to learn how to get involved in their campus’s Her Chapter as content creators and journalists.

The day started off at the Atrium in Brooklyn, New York. As soon as I walked in I was immediately greeted by the Her Campus Team with a lanyard that said “I’m in my Success Era.” While walking around the beautiful event space there were many activities, fun gift giveaways, and activations present from sponsors like Lancome, Sol de San Janeiro, Vince Camuto, Kate Spade, Adobe, Tee- Shirts by XOXO and Rhythm period products just to name a few. Her Campus did not shy away from providing perfect photo opportunities. Guests were encouraged to take photos at their Adobe sponsored photo station where guests can add stickers and filters to their photos in honor of the conference. For more professional photos, Her Conference had a professional photographer stationed to pose girls for a headshot that can be used for linkedin and any other professional platforms. Guests were then encouraged to head downstairs for the keynote speakers that spoke about anything from financial literacy to reproductive rights and sex education to more light hearted topics like pop culture and celebrity gossip.

Keynote speakers included environmental activist Leach Thomas, activist and actress Amelie Zilber, actor Midori Francis, actress Joy Sunday, and special guests digital creator Tefi Pessoa and Vivan Tu. Speakers ranged from talking about how young women can help lead sustainability and be environmental conscience to body autonomy and learning about sexual health. All speakers were very informative and knowledgeable about their respective topics. Despite the difference in topics many speakers spoke about the importance of staying true to yourself when approaching a new path. Joy Sunday explained that her role in the Netflix series, “Wednesday” was her first job but she feels that having a true sense of herself is what has been keeping her grounded through her journey through fame.

Her Campus Media continues to grow and reach young women to motivate and encourage them to feel confident in the workplace and leaving the college environment. The company started as women owned and now continues to be women owned and operated.