WEST Wisdom Blog

On January 19th, at 6:15 PM EST, WEST will be kicking off our Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking series with an event on R&D Discovery. The panelists are Daniela Cipolletta, Director of Immunology at Seismic Therapeutic; Dennis Dean, Principal Investigator at Seven Bridges; Kate Henry, Scientist II in the Gene Therapy Accelerator Unit at Biogen; Kristin Horton, Sr. Director Translational at Rubius Therapeutics; Colles Price, Research Scientist at Vizgen; and Lilly Vollmann, Associate Principal Scientist at Merck. The discussion will be moderated by Kristine McKinney, Sr. Director at Moderna Genomics and WEST Advisory Board Member. This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you.

Topics: Transitions, Career, Panel, Upcoming Events, Lessons Learned, Career Path, Career Possibilities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Research & Development

Five years ago, we held a panel on launching or relaunching scientific careers after a career break, working in an unrelated field, or after a delayed start. We are bringing back the same panelists on 4/7 to talk about where they are now. This promises to be an excellent discussion about career progression, with each participant giving us a retrospective view of their career path choices, including comments on “what I wish I knew.”

Relaunching careers in scientific research and biomedical engineering, moderated by Carol Fishman Cohen, will tell stories of women who took career breaks and achieved success. It is possible for women to return to work in scientific research, biotechnology, and engineering and thrive in these fields. This webinar is an opportunity for people to listen to inspirational stories from women and learn from their experiences.

Topics: Women, Transitions, Career, Success, Job, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Change, Career Path, Insight, Values, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Self-Reflection, #WESTevent, #WESTorg

Change is constant in the industry, so it is necessary to be constantly thinking about your development. Are you facing a career transition or considering your next career move? Are you in a role that is no longer a good fit for you? Are you feeling stagnant in a role with no clear path for growth, but afraid to take the leap? Are you challenged by how best to present yourself in virtual interviews? Or, have you just been laid off, and worried about how to begin a new job hunt in the current remote work environment? You are not alone. 

Topics: Transitions, Career, Success, Job, Culture, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Change, Career Possibilities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Hiring

WEST is kicking off its Career Possibilities Series with New Commercial Strategy, Product Planning, and Marketing on 1/20. There will be many topics discussed during the series. In a world where career structures are rapidly evolving, people in the workforce need to have the mindset to be prepared for what their careers could look like. This event series was created to prepare early and mid-career people for the future and give them the tools to be successful.

Topics: Leadership, Women, Career, Panel, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Interactive, Career Path, Career Development, Career Possibilities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg

If you’re fortunate enough to be at home with work and paycheck, your health and the essentials. If you’re beyond the basics, then you’re focusing on adapting to the new, rapidly evolving 'normal'. 

Topics: Women in STEM, Influence, Digitial, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Influence Without Authority, Outreach, #WESTevent, Change Management, #WESTorg, Women in Business, Be Fearless, Be Brave

Even if you work for a non-profit, you are not their charitable act 

Topics: Influence, Tools, Career Path, Leading Ourselves, Developing Your Skills, Self-Awareness, Personal Branding, Career Possibilities, Empowerment, New Opportunities, Advocate, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Women in Business, Organizational Culture, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Competence

The days of spending your entire career at one organization, or on a linear career path are long gone. We can’t all be doctor-astronaut-business leaders like Dr. Mae Jemison. But you can leverage your STEM and industry expertise to make the leap from a linear career. Hop the single-track and explore the multi-faceted web of STEM enterprise. You’ve probably already been building the net unconsciously. 

Topics: Transitions, Career, Women in STEM, Career Path, Emotional Intelligence, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking, New Opportunities, MBA, #WESTevent, Women in Business, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Venture Capital/VC, Business Development

Today’s STEM careers are anything but linear and predictable 

Investment firms recruit doctors and statisticians to manage health care and quantitative funds. Dr. Mayim Bialik, neuroscientist, has a leading role on The Big Bang Theory. And these days, especially in STEM fields, it seems like everyone has a side hustle that could be just about to go big time. Or, they’re sitting board members for their favorite non-profit. 

Topics: Career Possibilities, Speed Networking, New Opportunities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Women in Business, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Research & Development, Devices

In the world of business, careers are no longer linear or predictable. What was once a clearly sign-posted path as you progressed through milestones, a career road map is now circuitous presenting new challenges and opportunities at every bend. Life-long careers in one sector or one company are becoming a rarity as new technologies and shifting social norms disrupt traditional careers. Both employers and employees are seeking more diversity of experience, lifestyle flexibility and alternative paths.

These panels are designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you. Each panel will have an informational interview type feel with panelists sharing their career paths, a look at what their job entails, transferrable skills for those looking to make a change, tips for uncovering opportunities, advice for others, and how to make brave leaps. Then you will get some small group time with the panelists during a few speed networking rounds. 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Science, Transitions, Career, Panel, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Professional, Biotech, Digital, Career Path, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking, New Opportunities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Venture Capital/VC, Business Development, Research & Development, Devices, Medical

Your career is your business. A successful business model is an intentional implementation of vision—not a reactionary fix.

Unlike an organization, your vision is not set in stone. Being a business of one makes you nimble and adaptable. Being human means that the only thing you can’t do is stay the same. 

Topics: Events, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Leading Ourselves, Decision Making, Confidence, Career Development, Roadmap, Career Possibilities, Own It, Empowerment, Risk, #WESTevent, Change Management, Be Fearless, Be Brave