Today, more women receive bachelor’s degrees than men, and 57 percent of U.S. workers are women, according to the Department of Labor.

Despite the increase of women in the workplace, young women still face obstacles when connecting with professional peers. GenHERation is trying to bridge the gap. The company connects college and professional women through its digital platform and national events, such as the Campus Connection Tour.

TCU women had their first opportunity to tap into this network last month.Professionals from JCPenney, Greyhound, AT&T and Southwest Airlines were among those on campus to meet with students. 

The startup was built to connect and encourage women to become leaders in the field, said founder and CEO Katlyn Grasso. 

Grasso said she wants to connect young women with companies to help prepare them for their future endeavors as leaders. 

“I realized that there are very few women who hold leadership positions across almost every industry,” Grasso said. “Currently, women only hold 6.4 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions.”

For GenHeration, this is their first year to start their Campus Connection Tour, where they tour multiple high schools and universities around the United States.  

“When we are considering colleges to visit, we look for campuses that have active student leaders, supportive faculty and a diversity of academic programs,” she said.

Sophomore strategic communication major Kylie Cobb said being a woman in the workplace should be empowering, not degrading. Cobb said she is excited to attend the event because it’s a great opportunity.

“I am a strategic communication major and am interested in learning about my field as well as connecting with professionals,” Cobb said. “Who knows, maybe I will work for one of them one day!”