Nearly 200 ambitious women looking for career advice got just that Monday night from Judy McGrath, the CEO of MTV Networks, who was recently named the 15th most powerful woman in business by Fortune magazine.
McGrath served as the keynote speaker for the annual dinner of Wharton Women -- an organization open to students in all schools for promoting the growth of women.
Over hors d'oeuvres, students, graduates and various representatives from corporate firms were given the opportunity to network.
"We're always looking for someone who will spark people's interests," said Wharton sophomore Bibi Schweitzer, one of the dinner's coordinators.
"I think [McGrath's] an amazing businesswoman and I'm so excited to have her here for that," Schweitzer added.
The event also served as a recruiting opportunity for women in Wharton, and representatives from sponsors MTV, UBS Investment Bank, Banc of America Securities and other investment firms were present.
McGrath then took the stage for about 30 minutes and relayed her experience heading up MTV Networks, which includes MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT and Comedy Central.
"In many ways it's a bit uncomfortable being the subject tonight, because I'm not quite sure how I got here," McGrath joked.
She cited her mother as her greatest mentor, who always told her to trust her own mind.
After showing a clip of the material that MTV Networks produce, McGrath focused on women in business, discussing how women are portrayed in media and what role they play in it.
McGrath stressed that she feels the entertainment industry is welcoming to women. However, she noted, "I see women get close to the top and get stuck there before they reach it.... But that's not to say it should be all women and no men."
Wharton and Engineering senior and Wharton Women President Eva Zlotnicka said that although she is not interested in the media side of business, it is important for Wharton students to remember that "there is a life outside of investment banking."
She added, "I think one thing Judy will show for us is that in corporations there is plenty of opportunity to exercise business skills [without] having to do finance or banking."
McGrath emphasized that within every career, it is vital to be able to "combine personal with professional passion," which she says she has done for over 20 years at MTV.
