WEST Wisdom Blog

For me, holiday networking is a bit easier because it’s both energized and relaxed. Like holiday light displays, there’s a practical core: light the longest nights of year—build the network. But—pun alert–there’s fun in the function: those glowing colors and twinkling patterns distract me from the cold, dark walk from the office to the T station.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Connect, Own It, Holiday Party

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

Just as leadership is a role best executed by personal example, in The Speed of Trust, Stephen M.R. Covey explains that the foundation of trust is personal credibility, which Covey describes as the product of “Four Cores”:

• Integrity: Do your actions align with your values?
• Intents: What’s your agenda? Are you thinking about your year-end bonus or your team’s long-term success in the context of your organization’s mission?
• Capabilities: As important as what you know and how you do it, is your ability to accurately gauge your competencies and execute accordingly.
• Results: Listed last, but this really comes before everything. This is the track record that proves a person worthy of that initial trust that gets things moving.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Team, Science, Career, Community, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Trust, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, Own It, Learn

We are all biased – it is a basic human trait necessary for survival so that we recognize our tribe, our peeps, and avoid the enemy. However unchecked and unconscious bias creates unfair judgements and endemic prejudice stifling opportunities for both individuals and organizations.

Unconscious or implicit bias is at play when we evaluate people and situations using our instincts developed after years of stereotyping learned from and reinforced by the society around us. When we see the color of someone’s skin, hear their voice and accent, or observe their gestures, for example, our minds quickly seek to make sense of it all by slotting them into specific profiles or roles. We have all made those mistakes!

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Career Development, Own It, Bias, Stereotypes, Inclusion, Self-Reflection

Biogen's WIN group is offering roundtable discussions with women from various areas of Biogen. They will be talking to female grad students and post-docs about their career paths and decision to work in industry. 

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Career Development, Own It

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

Dang. Why on earth did I hesitate instead of letting the interviewer know what I wanted? And I’m not just talking about my new salary, I’m actually talking about the role, the title, and the sphere of influence that I want to have in that new job. Dang, dang, dang. I could kick myself for missing that opportunity. Now I’ll just have to settle for something less. Or will I?

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, negotiation, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Career Development, Own It, Advocate

Ugh. Another set of sleepless nights full of anxiety getting ready for a difficult conversation. Whether the conversation involves providing feedback to a colleague or involves asking your boss for a long overdue promotion and pay raise, you just know it is going to be difficult. And stressful.

But… fear not, there REALLY ARE ways to reduce some of the anxiety.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Trust, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Own It

The way in which we communicate – whether at work, at home or in school – has changed dramatically over the years with the accessibility of email, texting, and the use of social media applications.  Communications among colleagues and friends are often reduced to fragmented collections of written phrases and responses, fired off moments after receipt of an inbound message. The on-demand, always accessible manner of communicating has certainly brought significant conveniences, but it has reduced the opportunities for conversations among us. As a result, we may be missing out on the chance to connect, engage, and collaborate in a more meaningful way.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Collaboration, Trust, Developing Your Skills, Impact, Career Development, Own It

Influencing without authority is one of the most valuable skills you can learn and there are many useful forms of influence that you could be taking greater advantage of. Six sources of influence are positional, expertise, resources, informational, direct, and relationships.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Influence, Developing Your Skills, Support, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, Own It