Most young women would be thrilled to get insight into the minds of working professionals — to learn how to network, what to wear and how to conduct themselves in an office environment.Thanks to a joint partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers, dozens of female students with Bermuda College’s WOMYN’s group have been given just that over the past six months.PwC’s women’s group called AWARE (advancing women through attracting, retaining and empowering) has been meeting with female college students on a monthly basis to provide personal and professional mentoring.They have been offering advice on a variety of topics — from dressing for success to choosing a career and finding the right university to achieving professional goals.Taneisha Butterfield, 25, who works in PwC’s human resources department, said the programme was “very well received” so far.“[The girls] see we are not as different. We have our students here [at PWC] who are studying and they have come out to share their stories of dealing with stress and coping with exam pressure.“The goal is to help them realise their potential and ensuring they have the right guidance as they are going and making different decisions about their futures.”Senior manager Veronica Dunkerley said it was also beneficial for young women to have contacts in the business world to reach out to.“In Bermuda, it is all about who you know, and meeting new people in business is huge.“I was talking to one of the girls [recently] and she was saying she really wants a mentor in insurance in Bermuda and I told her ‘That is the way to differentiate yourself from your peers, to really start asking and asking and really wanting this and she really wanted this’.”In addition to mentoring, AWARE recently donated $1,000 to help send four students to the 2012 Conference for College Women Student Leaders in Baltimore this month.The conference from May 31 to June 2 gives young women the opportunity to network, share stories, take part in workshops and listen to inspirational speakers.Bermuda College student Lavonna Thomas, 19, said the WOMYN’s group had tried to raise money through bake sales, a sunset walk and pledge sheets, but the $1,000 donation got them one giant step closer to their financial goal.She said she was looking forward to the conference and hoped it would teach her something new and be an experience that would “live with me for the rest of my life”.Ms Thomas said she wasn’t immediately interested in joining the all-girls group, WOMYN (which stands for well-educated, open minded, modern, young and noble), but said it was the most appealing option for getting college credits.Since joining her enthusiasm has grown and she said she “really enjoyed the activities and events we have done as a group”. She is currently in her fourth semester with the WOMYN’s group and was also president from January to May last year.“When I first joined the group in the fall semester of 2010 I was very shy and my confidence was very low. This group has shown me how to be a leader and take charge in whatever task I am assigned to do.”Student Ashley Roberts, the current co-president of WOMYN, said she was also excited to go to the overseas conference.“This kind of experience just opens your mind and expands your horizons to great measures,” she said.Miss Roberts added: “When we were presented with the $1,000 cheque, I was deeply appreciative and that was quite obvious from the smile plastered across my face.“I was sincerely grateful. And I also want to thank PWC for investing their time in us by presenting us with ways to be successful and prosperous college students.”The WOMYN’s group is headed by Bermuda College counsellor Kennita Perry.In addition to the joint partnership with the school, PwC’s firm-wide women’s group also holds fundraisers, health and parenting events and has established a relationship with the Women’s Resource Centre.