Cristal's manufacturing story starts with her arrival from Puerto Rico after losing everything to natural disaster. It continues with her college graduation just a couple months ago. And it moves forward with an incredible future in manufacturing!

This is a story of Cristal's perseverance, but also of the life-changing power of a career in manufacturing.

Ellen and Jenny talk to Cristal about her first steps into manufacturing, her return to school, and how she uses networking to learn and grow. Cristal is so proud of how far she's come, and she should be! She's happy to share her experience so others might learn how they can follow in her footsteps. And we are so happy to give her the platform to share it!

Where you can find Cristal:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristal-m-velez-322a90240/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

There are many outstanding manufacturing organization you can be part of in CT. One that's nearest and dearest to our hearts is the Women in Manufacturing Connecticut Chapter. This group provides networking and educational opportunities, both locally and nationally, to help women in the industry to connect and develop their career.

On this episode, Ellen Feldman Ornato speaks with chapter Chair, Christine Marcin. They not only talk about the value of the organization, but also discuss topics like 'how to get your boss's buy-in to take part in events" and "how to prepare yourself for a networking event".

Networking can feel overwhelming to some of the quieter, or more reserved members of our audience, but it doesn't have to be!

Keep your eyes open for an upcoming episode with Ellen and Jenny diving into 'how to network'.

Women in Manufacturing CT Website: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/connecticut Women in Manufacturing CTLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-manufacturing-connecticut/ Women in Manufacturing CTFB: https://www.facebook.com/WiMConnecticut

Where you can find Christine:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemarcin/ Stifel Marcin website: https://stifel-marcin.com/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

If there's one thing we've learned in our first 10 episodes, it's the incredible power of mentorship on the careers of our guests. So, we are THRILLED that the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing has sponsored a new mentorship community, through Million Women Mentors Connecticut, that aims to connect mentors and mentees across STEM fields, starting with manufacturing.

On this week's episode, we talk to Colleen Bielitz, the state leader for Million Women Mentors and the AVP of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach at Southern Connecticut State University. Colleen talks us through what it means to be a mentor and what the mentor database is aiming to accomplish. She also goes one step further and explains to potential mentees how to get the most out of a mentorship relationship.

This is a terrific episode, introducing an exciting initiative!

Sign-up for the mentorship database here: https://web.atlasjobs.com/public-sign-up/3a721099-c1c7-4032-97ba-5baf0cfad5aa/

Million Women Mentors Connecticut website: https://mwm.stemconnector.com/states-initiative/connecticut/

Million Women Mentors Connecticut LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/million-women-mentors-ct-chapter

Where you can find Colleen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-bielitz-phd/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/