Key Themes and Takeaways from WEST’s Independent Consulting Panel
Whether you’re navigating a layoff, eyeing a career shift, or just wondering what else is out there, consulting can feel like both a lifeline and a leap. WEST’s recent panel of independent consultants offered a candid, insight-rich conversation on how to make the transition thoughtfully—and sustainably.
Topics: Women in STEM, Value, Relationships, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Career Possibilities, Boundaries, Independent Consulting
March is here, bringing with it an opportunity to honor, celebrate, and elevate the extraordinary contributions of women in STEM. At WEST, Women’s History Month is more than a tribute to the past—it’s a call to action for the future. WEST’s annual theme this year of Grit, Growth, and Gratitude highlights the attributes that fuel the journeys of women in STEM and beyond.
Topics: Women in STEM, Annual Theme, Career Path, Confidence, D&I, Female Representation STEM, International Women's Day, Women's History Month, Strong Women, Grit, Growth, Gratitude
Have you ever felt stuck in your own head? Maybe you faced a situation or decision that you felt conflicted about and did not know what to do because you felt pulled in different directions internally. It’s a common experience and can leave one feeling stuck and lost.
Topics: Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Author Chat, Challenges, Book Club, Career Development, Self-Reflection, #WESTevent, Overwhelm, Growth
Burnout is becoming more and more common. Statistics, especially among women, have shown a dramatic increase in employees that feel burned out or close to burnout. Women reported higher levels of burnout than men at 46% over men’s 37%. (CNBC). Focusing in on the WEST community event further, 82% of employees in tech feel close to burnout (spill). With such high levels of burnout, it leads to the question: “How did we get here in the first place?”
Topics: Mindfulness, Career Path, Confidence, Strengths, Career Development, Empowerment, Advice, #WESTevent, Purpose
We all strive for a state of life where our work-life balance is perfect, we feel rested, and fulfilled. We might even have a vision of what this perfect balance looks like. Yet we all struggle to reach this balance. Why can’t we achieve this perfect balance? One reason is that it's the wrong question. Balance implies equal time or a consistent, static state. Our lives are far too complex and changeable to be able to find one right answer on how to honor all of our commitments.
Topics: Workshop, Insight, New Opportunities, #WESTevent, goals, Growth, Boundaries
In everything there is an opportunity to practice gratitude. Studies show that practicing gratitude can increase happiness with one’s life. In an effort to share joy this holiday season, we thought we’d start the gratitude list!
Topics: Leadership, Community, Board of Directors, STEM Women, STEM Leadership, Gratitude
WEST is an organization focused on supporting women in the equal pursuit of careers in the STEM industries. We are grateful to these amazing ‘Guys Who Get It’ who not only voice their support of equality for women in the STEM industries, but are an integral part of achieving that mission through the WEST organization.
Topics: Gender Balance, STEM, STEM, Gender Balance, Communication, Community, #MemberSpotlight, Member Spotlight, Collaboration, Values, Impact, Organizational Culture, D&I, STEM Women, Ally, Allyship, Growth
Discovering a career that you love sometimes takes a direct path. We’ve all read at least one story of someone who knew they wanted to work in a particular field from a very young age, spent their years pursuing that dream, and found success and happiness having achieved that dream. Unfortunately, 75% of people experience a quarter life crisis, questioning their career path, by the time they are 33. Additionally, Stanford Psychologist Laura Carstensen reveals that, based on her studies, the perfect age to start a career is around 40. According to one study, the average person will change careers 5-7 times throughout their lifetime.
Topics: Leadership, Career, Community, Panel, Network, Networking, Career Path, Developing Your Skills, Computing, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Empowerment, Advice, #WESTevent, Grow, Academia, Clarity, Growth
“The returns are actually better when you invest in women,” says the movie Show Her The Money. If that’s so true, then why are women-founded startups only receiving 2% (or less) of invested venture capital dollars each year? Women innovators introduced the electric dishwasher, central gas heating, the medical syringe, bullet-proof fiber (Kevlar), and the list goes on. How much better could our world be if more women-founded startups were getting equal investment funding?
Topics: Leadership, Panel, Women in STEM, Business, Inspiration, Gender Pay Gap, Compensation, Career Possibilities, Advocate, Diversity, #WESTevent, Women in Business, Life Science VC, Venture Capital/VC, Gender Parity, Conversations
In the ever-evolving landscape of our careers, women continue to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and pave the way for future generations. The journey of a woman is often marked by three powerful principles: grit, growth, and gratitude. These tenets not only define our personal and professional journeys but also empower us to make significant contributions to the world of science and technology. These are the defining reasons WEST has selected Grit, Growth, Gratitude as our annual theme for 2024-2025.
Topics: Announcements, Community, Annual Theme, Inspiration, Career Development, #WESTorg, Grit, Identity, Growth, Gratitude, Grit, Growth, Gratitude