Female professionals prove they can succeed Panel of women speak to eighth-grade girls about working in a man's world BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer NORTH BRUNSWICK - To show that women can be just as successful and career-oriented as their male counterparts, LinwoodMiddle School held its second annualWomen's Career Day forum on March 19, in honor of March being Women's History Month. The female eighth-grade students listened to a series of professional women from the community discuss their work and home lives, the struggles they overcame, their current responsibilities, the schooling they need or will continue to need, and how they balance it all. Ginger Boyle, a Realtor from Zastko Realtors, said her job is flexible but requires a full-time commitment. A real estate agent needs 75 hours of schooling to receive a license, but Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors and New Jersey Association of Realtors and require a broker's license and an additional 150 hours of schooling. Boyle began with a business degree and worked as a sales representative for dental and orthodontic products for Johnson & Johnson but then decided to pursue realty. After changing careers and getting her initial licenses, she pursued her Graduate Realtor Institute and certified residential specialist designations, which require more years of schooling. Yet she said it is worth it because she enjoys helping first-time home buyers, who are "living the American dream." Swagatha Chavva, a local dentist, said that in the early 1960s, women were not allowed into the dentistry field. Then, in the 1970s, schools that were using federal money were required to give women an equal opportunity. "We are changing, we are getting into the field," she said. Chavva said she started with dentistry once she finished 12th grade and pursued a five-year dental program. She said most programs require four years of college and four years of medical school, but sometimes seven-year programs are available. But because Chavva came from India, she had to return to school to obtain a license. She has been practicing since 1998, and formed a solo practice in 2005. "Eight years of studying is a lot of studying to do, but you all can do it," she said. "When you put your heart and soul into something, you will love whatever you do." As a general dentist, she does root canals, implants, crowns, bridges and extractions. "I do have a lot of responsibilities that come along with it. I work as an individual with the patients, as a teammate and as a businesswoman. I have to work with every division of society," she said. Carolyn Forney, a retired teacher who was employed by the North Brunswick school district, said that teachers do more than just plan lessons and give homework. She said the educational profession involves planning, creativity and the opportunity to do something new every day. Forney said she went to college for four years to receive her bachelor's degree, and that most teachers go on to their master's degree and other certifications. She said there is a lot of learning on the job, and there are continual professional development seminars. "Once you become a teacher you still have to go to school," she said. "You never stop learning, and that is the best part about any job you choose." Detective Seeta Jones joined the North Brunswick Police Department 10 years ago. She investigates major crimes such as homicides, thefts, burglaries, robberies and kidnappings. Jones started out in the fashion industry and as a hairdresser, but has since become the first Guyanese-Hindu Indian hired as a police officer in the state of New Jersey. "It is a man's job … but you have to struggle to get wherever you are," she said. She said despite the grueling 16-week training academy she had to endure, she now is rewarded with a great job, great coworkers, great benefits and the opportunity to make a lot of money. Although she added, "Is it a dangerous job? It's very dangerous. Are we scared every day? Yes," she said, "but I love my job. When you can wake up and say you love your job, you're in the right career." Shauna McGowan, the store manager at Chico's at the Shoppes at North Brunswick, said her career began as a fashion marketing and management student. She had an internship at Nordstrom for a full semester and then became a sales associate. As part of their management training program, she was hired as a manager for three years and six months ago came to Chico's. "You have to start at the bottom," she said. She told the students their best option is to start working in a retail store and if they want to be designers, to create a portfolio of all their drawings. Lynne Manley, a nurse at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, has been involved in the medical field for almost 22 years. She is currently a charge nurse at the medical intensive care unit. "You really have to want to be a nurse. It's really demanding, but it's also really rewarding," she said. "You have to really love what you're doing, and be really compassionate and dedicated." Manley said a nurse could work one day a month or seven days a week, and can work more than one job. She said the position is very flexible, especially for women who want to start families. She said nurses can work in a hospital, a delivery room, an emergency room, an operating room, with a doctor or in a school. "There are endless opportunities in nursing right now," she said. Cathy Nicola, the Township Council president, said that women are able to participate in government and politics. Her interest began at an early age, and in the 1970s she joined the Middlesex County Young Democrats, although she originally expected to be a teacher. Nowadays, she said, 25 members of the 80-seat Assembly, 31 members of the 137- seat state freeholder board, 27 members of the 65 available constitutional officer positions, 83 of the 566 mayor positions and 26 of the 147 council positions in the state are held by women. Nicola said the six council members and mayor oversee each department in town, including parks and recreation, public works, the clerk's office, the police department and community development, and are responsible for reviewing the yearly municipal budget. "We work hard to make sure your life and your quality of life here in North Brunswick are nice and that you meet your full potential," she said. Nicola also acts as a liaison to various boards, and volunteers her time within the community. She said teenagers should join organizations within the community. "There are many things you can do to get involved. I encourage it," she said. LindaWarhaftig, the chief of the North Brunswick Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad, began in first aid 25 years ago in South Orange. "When I was your age, the last thing I wanted to see was someone throwing up or blood or guts. Now, at my age, I still don't want to see people throwing up or blood and guts," she said. Warhaftig said she was the first female member allowed to join the squad because the charter papers said only men could be accepted. She was the first female president of the squad and is only the second female chief. She said the rescue squad has helped her be a teacher, a writer and a salesperson, all despite her having dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and a difficult time reading and writing. She also teaches at the New Jersey Department of Health. Warhaftig also is self-employed as the owner of her own training agency. "Something as simple as being a volunteer really worked out for me," she said. "But if you don't have that basis of education behind you, you really will have a lot of doors shut in your face."