WEST Wisdom Blog

Come one, come all! WEST invites you to join us for our 2018 Summer Series! Every Wednesday night in June, WEST offers the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals to build your career toolbox by implementing the skills that instill confidence in your ability to advance your own opportunity for success. Our Career Possibilities and Career Management events provide opportunities for personalized feedback including an individual assessment to self-reflect and build upon your strengths, motivations and individual interests. The series is $75 for members. Not a member yet? For $175, you can get the series and an annual WEST membership. Can’t make it to the whole series? You can register for just one or two of the events. Isn't it time to invest in yourself so that you can maximize your professional self? We hope you will join us for a month of empowerment and mentorship!

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Values, Support, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking

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.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Values, Support, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking

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

Join WEST and Executive Communication Coach and Trainer, Tori Hollingworth on 5/23, for a highly interactive session designed to provide participants with tools and techniques to increase credibility, improve interpersonal effectiveness and strengthen messaging when interacting in a performance review, delivering feedback to senior management, initiating behavior change and providing updates to direct reports, colleagues and/or organizational leaders. 

Topics: Events, Women, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Connect, Feedback, Impact

Senior STEM leaders from organizations ranging from incubator to startup to large corporations will share their perspectives on the topic of open innovation and how they help their company embrace it. Key discussion points will include methods for encouraging entrepreneurial concepts, approaches for launching new companies, and how a start-up can adopt open innovation including when/how they start working with larger corporations. Learn what works well and what pitfalls to avoid. Take advantage of this event to meet and network with the movers and shakers in the local STEM ecosystem. 

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Entrepreneurship, Panel, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Biotech, Discussion, Connect, Open Innovation, Start-Up

WEST is offering a book club for WEST members focusing on women's career advancement. We will have a meeting with a new book every other month. We would like participants to commit to four sessions to create a supportive community.  

We will have a facilitator for each discussion group who will have read the book, so those who do not finish the whole book should still feel comfortable attending and joining in the conversation. We understand people get busy at certain times of the year and may not get to finish every book. 

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Support, Leaders, Book Club

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

Listen to the inspiring journeys of successful women and men leaders in science as they talk about their careers at the intersection of computing and biotech. They will discuss their highlights, motivations, role models, career moves, guiding principles, biggest challenges, and more. The panelists will also share their perspectives on career development for women in computing/biotech including company initiatives, best practices, and what can be done to support the development and advancement of women in the field. This is a great opportunity for you to meet and network with the movers and shakers in the local science ecosystem.

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Role Models, Computing, Challenges