WEST Wisdom Blog

Innovation and all the benefits that stem from it, are correlated to board diversity. Regardless of whether you’re planning to join a board, you should be aware of where organizations that impact your life sit on the spectrum of board diversity. 

Check out some of the best infographics in the Missing Pieces Report: The 2018 Board Diversity Census of Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards. Download the complete report, a multiyear collaboration by the Alliance for Board Diversity and Deloitte here.

Topics: Events, Women, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Network, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Professional, Biotech, Connect, Board of Directors, Leaders, Impact, Own It, Diversity

Join WESTorg at Takeda on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, for the #WESTawards to honor individuals in the Boston science and technology community that embody WEST’s 2018-2019 theme, ‘Own It: Empowering Your Career & Your Life’. 

WEST is a learning community that provides women in the enterprise of science and technology with the inspiration, knowledge and connections to reach their full potential. Please join #WESTorg and our sponsors, Takeda, Johnson & Johnson and Safety Partners at Takeda’s Cambridge offices for the 2019 #WESTawards and Networking Night to honor individuals in Boston’s STEM community who embody WEST’s mission and our ‘Own It’ theme in their service of inclusivity and empowerment in STEM and STEM initiatives that benefit the community at large.

Topics: Events, Women, Science, Career, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Interview, Cambridge, Success, Network, Inspire, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Rockstars, Connect, Making a Difference, Inspiration, Role Models, Volunteer, Compensation, Strengths, Support, Leaders, Impact, Own It, Sponsor, Advocate

You look back on the year and you nailed it. All of it. You checked every box and made every milestone. Graduated with honors. Got that dream job. Finally took that vacation paid for with the raise that came with your promotion. So why does it seem like you forgot something? Like the puzzle is missing a piece?

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Strengths, Values, Career Development, Own It, Learn

WEST is excited to host a networking night with leaders from Bristol-Myers Squibb on October 11^th at the Broad Institute in Kendall Square.  BMS will open their new R&D site in Cambridge this November where they plan to grow their team in key areas such as Oncology and Translational Medicine and Discovery Technologies. This location will be a flagship R&D site for the company with up to approximately 300 employees. Through their Bristol-Myers Squibb Network of Women (B-NOW) which advises on the hiring, compensation, and advancement of women in BMS to their 50.3% female workforce, BMS has demonstrated a strong commitment to an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Topics: Events, Women, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Network, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Connect, Talent, Own It, New Opportunities

In today’s increasingly competitive workplace and market, it’s no longer sufficient to get by with a strong resume and cover letter. In order to succeed in your field, you must act on your strengths, diligently build connections/community, and seek recognition in order to set yourself apart.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Life, Cambridge, Inspire, Women in STEM, Networking, You, Upcoming Events, Professional, Presence, Biotech, Resources, Interactive, Connect, Influence, Developing Your Skills, Engage, Career Development, Own It, Empowerment

Have you ever heard the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child?” Well it doesn’t stop there. It also takes a “village” to build a career. Your career.

There is a Chinese term, Guan Xi, which translates to “the Chinese form of networking that is built up from family, village and clan kinship. In Chinese business and life in general, the maintenance of face and cordial Guan Xi are prerequisites in ensuring that networks operate smoothly and reliably.”

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Life, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, You, Annual Theme, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Resources, Interactive, Connect, Career Path, Developing Your Skills, Engage, Career Development, Speed Networking, Own It, Empowerment

Sandra Glucksmann, President & CEO at Cedilla Therapeutics, will share stories of her career challenges and successes. She will discuss how to best apply your scientific and analytical abilities to develop influence and negotiation skills. Sandra will share her learning experiences as she transitioned from bench scientist to manager, and from manager to executive in both small and large company settings. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Success, negotiation, Leader, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Connect, Influence, Management, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Influence Without Authority

Once upon a time, there was a social network. The social network was rich with relationships. People were connected to their family, friends, and other people in their village. But technology didn’t stand still. Eventually they could connect to distant relationships by mail, then Pony Express, then telegraph, then the wireless, then the telephone, and then by email. Life was good. You could reach out to almost everyone you needed to.

Then, in late 2002 a colleague at work, Yvonne, sent an odd-looking invitation to me through this thing called LinkedIn.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Career Development

Coaching circles adapt the principles and methods of individual coaching and apply them to small, intentional groups. They set the stage for peer to peer coaching facilitated by trained and qualified professional coaches offering women a supportive and motivating environment to connect through meaningful conversations. Participants develop a set of peer coaching skills in addition to benefiting from professional coaching, and are often preferred by people who learn well in small groups. Join us to establish new relationships, enhance leadership skills and talents, and develop in an area that is a current challenge. We will do three 30 minute sessions. Some of the table topics will be preset and some will be based on ideas submitted when people register to attend. The preset topics will include the following. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Change, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Talent, Confidence, Personal Branding, Strengths, Values, Challenges, Career Development

Every year WEST is proud to organize our special award evening. This will be our 9th annual event. Four women leaders in STEM who have been nominated by their peers as successful, generous role models were selected as awardees. They in turn have chosen four “up and comers” who they believe are outstanding future leaders. We all have much to learn from this impressive group as they tell us their success stories and share their tips for the advancement of women in STEM whatever the stage of your career.   

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Awards, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Inspiration, Role Models, Values, Leaders, Career Development