WEST Wisdom Blog

2019-Q1 Post Event Tips: Advocating for Yourself at Work

Posted by Veronica Huang on Feb 11, 2019 7:30:00 AM

Do you think you deserve a higher salary in the job offer? Are you aiming to score that promotion this year? Frustrated by the growing workload and the dwindling resources? Couldn’t get to agreement with your team about project deliverables and timelines? Regardless of your role, we negotiate everyday. And these difficult conversations always wrack our nerves. WEST’s first workshop in 2019 by Amy Rebecca Gay provided a framework and practical tools to help us navigate self-advocacy and increase effectiveness in negotiation.

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Topics: Gender Balance, Network, negotiation, Workshop, Networking, Relationships, Tools, Developing Your Skills, Compensation, Empowerment

unConference: The Economics of Being Female

Posted by Jaime Luna on Oct 23, 2017 9:30:00 AM
Imagine going to a conference designed completely to meet your needs. That’s what an unConference is. This unConference will feature keynote speakers to get you thinking  about the economics of being female and how looking at the challenge from an economic view can positively impact your career. I n true unConference fashion, it has no agenda until the participants create it. You will decide what topics will be discussed by pitching solutions to the crowd for further discussions in breakout groups. You will share ideas, problem solve, hear multiple perspectives, and challenge the status quo with creative solutions. There is great diversity and experience in the Boston area and this is wonderful opportunity for you to share expertise and exchange innovative ideas in a supportive environment. This is self-directed learning at its best. The content is relevant and exciting because the agenda is created for you, and by you, in the moment.
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Topics: Events, Gender Balance, STEM, Gender Balance, Women, Boston, Career, Community, Work Life Balance, Life, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Financial, Interactive, Equal Pay, Change, unConference, Economics, Female

Picking your feet up off the sticky floor

Posted by WEST Board Member on May 18, 2017 10:10:00 AM

We know that gender inequality at senior levels is a real and important limitation for women in most careers, including STEM. But, have we fully acknowledged the self-limitations we women impose on our own careers? As women in science and technology (and probably most fields), we are often our own worst enemies. Rather than hitting our heads on the glass ceiling, we find ourselves sticking to a floor, where we have poured the molasses.

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Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Women, Cambridge, Success, Inspire

Senior Panel Discussion on Working Toward Gender Balance

Posted by WEST Board Member on Nov 16, 2016 3:53:02 PM

It was an energized and exciting evening at the November 14th WEST event, Pathways to Leadership Success: Working Toward Gender Balance Senior Panel Discussion. Biogen, Xconomy, and WEST hosted the event, which provided an exceptional opportunity for networking with around 150 members of the STEM community attending. The panel discussion featured the following leaders in academia and industry: Sangeeta Bhatia, Professor, MIT; Bruce Booth, Partner, Atlas Venture; and Sophie Vandebroek, CTO, Xerox.  Jo Viney of Biogen/WEST and Bob Buderi of Xconomy moderated the event. The panel provided their perspectives and insights on actions that can be taken in the workplace to improve gender balance and increase awareness of gender bias.

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Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Tech, Science, Success, Network

Pathways to Leadership Success: Working Towards Gender Balance

Posted by WEST Board Member on Nov 7, 2016 9:30:00 AM
More than half of the doctorate degrees awarded in biomedical studies go to women and women make up 50% of the talent pool in the biomedical workforce. Yet, we don’t have to look hard to see that women are underrepresented in leadership positions, in virtually all sectors, but certainly in biotechnology and technology. Why is this, and what can we do to change it?

On November 14, 2016, we will be taking this issue head-on in a discussion co-sponsored by WEST, Xconomy and Biogen. (More information and registration information can be found here.)

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Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Tech, Science, Success, Network

WEST Announces 2015-2016 Theme

Posted by Jaime Luna on Aug 25, 2015 1:00:00 PM
WEST Announces 2015-2016 Theme: Best Practices for Hiring, Developing, and Retaining Women Leaders in Science and Technology

WEST recognizes that diversity and inclusion are critical levers of success in both business and academia. While many companies and institutions have made efforts to support diversity, WEST places particular emphasis on improving gender balance at the executive leadership levels and in the board room. WEST's mission is to proactively develop women in the fields of science and technology, equipping them with the skills, mindset, and network to help them rise to, and thrive in, senior leadership roles.
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Topics: Leadership, Announcements, Gender Balance, Women, Tech, Science

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