On April 2, 2020, WEST will honor those who exemplify the mission of WEST. The two key award categories this year will be Making a Difference in the Community (e.g. running non-profit, helping in a soup kitchen, volunteering with animals) and Making a Difference for Women (e.g. supporting women's causes, mentoring, championing diversity). Do you know someone who is making a difference in one of these categories? If so, please nominate them here by 2/6/2020. Nominations are open to the WEST community including members and the larger community of supporters, friends, and allies. Awardees will be announced mid-February.
Topics: Events, Gender Balance, Women, Tech, Science, Nominate, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Panel, Network, Giving, Inspire, Making a Difference, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Gender Parity
EQ: How to use neuroscience for a successful career & excellent life
Regardless of your current LinkedIn title, you are the CEO of your career.
What is the #1 indicator of leadership potential?
EQ: Emotional intelligence
Daniel Goleman literally wrote the book on emotional intelligence. In his renowned 2004 Harvard Business Review article, ‘What Makes a Leader,’ he explained:
‘Most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. It’s not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They do matter, but mainly as “threshold capabilities”; that is, they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions. But my research, along with other recent studies, clearly shows that emotional intelligence is the sine qua non of leadership. Without it, a person can have the best training in the world, an incisive, analytical mind, and an endless supply of smart ideas, but he still won’t make a great leader.'
But wait, it gets better.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Science, Career, Inspire, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Emotional Intelligence, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave
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
Senior Leader Interview with Career Insights from Sandra Glucksmann
Sandra Glucksmann, CEO of Cedilla Therapeutics and a founding board member of WEST, sat down with us to share her experience and lessons learned over her 25-year career in biotech. Sandra holds a PhD in molecular genetics and cell biology from the University of Chicago and carried out her post-doctorate work at MIT.
Sandra’s career path spanned both science and business. She attributes her success to being open to new opportunities that were not necessarily in her wheel house and to cultivating a strong network. After working as a bench scientist for eleven years at Millennium, she made a mid-career shift into the business side of biotech. She believes that staying deeply connected with her science background gave her a leg-up when developing her corporate presence in biotech.
Topics: Leadership, Women, Science, Career, Community, Giving Back, Interview, Success, Network, Inspire, Leader, Women in STEM, Presence, Biotech, Business, Change, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Strengths, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, PhD, New Opportunities, Mentor, Sponsor, Advice, Risk, Ask, Learn
Develop Presence to Better Connect, Inspire, and Influence Others at All Levels
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
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.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Women, Cambridge, Success, Inspire
Climbing the career ladder is challenging in any business, but climbing the career ladder when you work in a male dominated field like technology is especially challenging. Finding a balance between “acting the part” vs “being your authentic self” can feel like walking a tight rope –not only is it time consuming, it can be exhausting too. So, what is the best way to navigate the system? where should you focus your efforts? how should you present yourself? and with whom should you spend time networking?
Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Community, Success, Network, Inspire
Come Lunch, Laugh, and Bust the Bad Moms Myth
Wishing you could handle the work-life balance with this much finesse? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ojvk-4IcOE
Wearing yourself out with perfect execution of your job and both the second (often simultaneous) shift at home? Wearing yourself out even trying? Feeling like you can't succeed in your career and be a "good mom and partner"?
Come join us at lunch time (you have to take time to eat anyway!) to learn some tips and tricks for your work-life balance and hear and share some good stories while doing it! You will walk away with at least 1 idea you can implement immediately.
Topics: Events, Women, Career, Work Life Balance, Inspire, Mom
Wondering about alternative careers in STEM? Interested in speed networking with expert panelists?
Then mark your calendar for March 20th when WEST will co-host a combined speed networking and panel event with the Society of Professional Consultants. Six senior panelists who started out in STEM will describe their path to success in STEM or STEM-related careers. Experience a combination of facilitated networking and small breakout sessions with the panelists to hear about alternative career trajectories, learn how to tell your personal story in a compelling way, and gain confidence in your own skills and abilities.
Topics: Events, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Network, Inspire
WEST’s Women in Science and Technology Awards Event was SOLD OUT!
Last week, more than 130 men and women gathered in Cambridge to recognize the honorees in WEST’s Annual “Giving Back Awards” ceremony. EACH YEAR for the past 9 years, WEST has brought the biotech and tech community together to honor incredible women from the science, technology and engineering fields who go above and beyond and selflessly give back to society. This year, in addition to recognizing women, WEST added a new accolade designed to recognize men who have demonstrated commitment to supporting and advancing talented women in STEM careers.
Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Awards, Giving Back, Network, Giving, Inspire