Over our lifetimes we evolve and grow and our career needs and desires change. As your personal life brings new opportunities and joys your professional preferences change.
You may find yourself dreaming of a very different work environment from the one you have today; a new challenge where you can stretch your wings and explore new roles and leadership responsibilities.
You are probably in the science/technology field because you were good at STEM subjects at school. But you are also good at other things that may want to use and develop in your career.
I studied physics at school and in college because my grades were good and so I went on into a PhD program. While working in the lab I realized that I really preferred people to oscilloscopes and started to work in school politics. I eventually left the program to work for IBM and focused my career in sales, product marketing and business strategy. Later, armed with an MBA, I worked in other very large and very small high tech companies and on to consulting. And, ten years ago I pivoted my career again moving into leadership education – a serendipitous opportunity triggered by a lay-off. At every step in my career my training in analytical thinking has been an asset.
STEM grads have always been in high demand across a wide variety of jobs and industries. Your analytical skills and ability to focus on and solve complex problems are highly valued in many different roles. There are many women (and men) in STEM who have already made such successful leaps and they can serve as advisors and role models if you are contemplating such a move.
WEST has gathered nine successful professionals with diverse paths and backgrounds in STEM who will bring their words of wisdom to a panel discussion on June 6th in Cambridge. After the discussion they will be available to work with you in smaller groups and to speak to your questions directly.
Panelists include:
- Jonathan Beer, Managing Partner at The Stevenson Group
- Aurelie Bergugnat, Chief of Staff at Schneider Electric
- Chesley Chen, Entrepreneur, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member
- Heather Faulds, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Scholar Rock
- Lisa Huang, Associate at Atlas Venture
- Anne Joseph, Life Sciences Consultant at Back Bay Life Science Advisors
- Michelle Lugus, Consulting Safety Officers, Safety Partners
- Jyoti Shah, Sr. Scientist, Scientific Data Strategy at Merck
- Sharotka Simon, Research Associate for the Bentley University Center for Integration of Science and Industry
By Mary Ann O’Loughlin, Principal, Cambridge Consulting and Coaching, WEST Board Member
Thanks to Safety Partners for sponsoring this event!
