WEST Wisdom Blog

Want to be proactive and understand what drives your career interests and motives and use this understanding to better guide the development of your career? Pre-register for this workshop “Career Management for Today’s Work Environment” by May 31^st and you will have the unique opportunity to take an online assessment of your personal interests, values and skills. You’ll receive the results of your assessment during the workshop and participate in an interactive session to explore how you can generate a roadmap and take action to effectively advance your career.  As always, this WEST event will provide the chance to meet and network with other women and men in the enterprise of science and technology.

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Connect, Values, Support, Impact, Career Development, Assessment, Roadmap

"You ain't no kind of man if you ain't got land" - Delmar O'Donnell (played by Tim Blake Nelson), O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000 Coen Brothers Film)

 

Strong property rights have been and continue to be a bedrock of American enterprise. Intellectual property is no exception - Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the United States Constitution grants Congress the power "To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries."

Topics: Events, Women, Boston, Community, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Connect, Start-Up, Trademarks, Patents, IP

Have you ever sat through a really boring technical presentation? Did you have trouble following the speaker because he or she didn’t explain the “so what” and “why”? Did you have to squint to read a barrage of boring bullet points that the speaker read to you word for word? Did you almost fall asleep or wish you could walk out without being rude?

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Presentation, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Storytelling, Waltham, Engage

By Jo Viney, Co-founder and CSO, Pandion Therapeutics

Last summer, one of our local radio stations, WBUR, ran a feature entitled “How Boston Became 'The Best Place In The World' To Launch A Biotech Company” (WBUR, June 19^th 2017). The article described the evolution of our unique infrastructure – physical, cultural and sociological – that resulted in Boston being THE place where ideas are catalyzed and made into reality. But what does it really take to be an innovator? And what characteristics are essential to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Boston, Team, Science, Career, Community, Entrepreneurship, Panel, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Biotech, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Inspiration, Support, Challenges, Leaders

You probably heard about the detection of gravitational waves a couple of years ago. You know that it was a really, really important discovery, but what exactly was it and why was it important? Come learn about it from one of the most prominent scientists in Scotland, Professor Sheila Rowan, the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish government. When she is  not developing equipment for detecting cosmic gravitational waves, what does Dr. Rowan advise the Scottish government on? What are the most pressing science issues in Scotland today, how do these relate to science issues facing other parts of the world, and how did she get this appointment? Come to the WEST Rockstar breakfast on April 5^th and have an intimate conversation with Dr. Rowan. Maybe you want to know if she’s met the Queen. 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Rockstars, Breakfast

As a new mom of two and taking on a brand new role at my company, I've been asking myself these questions a lot. There are days when I feel like I've figured out a great balance, followed by others that are a complete and utter disaster where I'm dropping the ball on both work and life. Often times work and life are considered polarities, you choose or the other, but not both. 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Community, Work Life Balance, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Balance, Polarities

Ever wonder how the board room is different from the executive room, including what is needed to get there?   Cissy Young   at Executive Recruiting firm Russell Reynolds will share her insights and experience on board and executive recruiting. This intimate, WEST members only Q&A breakfast will help unveil the basics and the nuances of getting to the boardroom.

Topics: Events, Leadership, STEM, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Rockstars, Breakfast, Talent, Board of Directors

Meet some “Wonder Women” and “Super Men” at the WEST 10^th Annual Giving Back Awards!

 

For most of us, working all day and managing to get dinner on the table is heroic. For others, like Sara Nochur, working all day is a prelude to fundraising that enables young children in rural India to stay in school by providing them with homes, food, and shelter. Or for Elizabeth O’Day, it’s starting a non-profit organization that recycles electronics and uses the resale profits to build computer centers in orphanages around the world. If these sound like incredible feats, it’s because they are. And yet amazing people working in our local STEM community are doing those extraordinary things, and much more. 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Life, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Female, Balance, Making a Difference, Inspiration, Role Models, Volunteer

Fear of failure and the unknown can sabotage your life’s journey and prevent you from reaching your full potential. Through heightened self awareness and knowledge of your strengths you can take the personal responsibility of owning your life and courageously step forward out of your comfort zone.  

Topics: Events, Leadership, STEM, Women, Career, Community, Life, Resilience, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Lead, Leading Ourselves, Emotional Intelligence, Developing Your Skills, Self-Awareness, Empathy

You are probably managing or working in a team with members scattered in different offices, different cities and different parts of the world. We can all underestimate, and especially if we are the ones at cozy HQ, how lonely, disconnected and inefficient this can feel. Misunderstandings and toxic office politics can swell with distance as team motivation and the sense of agency diminishes.

Topics: Events, Leadership, STEM, Women, Career, Communication, Community, Resilience, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Management, Trust, Vision