2017-2018 Annual Theme: Career, Life, You
Your career needs to be managed strategically and proactively - it does not just happen. Even though good luck, the right network and wicked smarts help, YOU are the only one who can set the direction. Our WEST programming theme this year has been specifically designed to help women in science and technology think about your career advancement strategically and develop your own plan for execution.
Apr 26
How to Present Technical Information so People Will Understand, Care, and Remember
April 26, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
How well can you explain complex science and technology concepts to people outside your field of expertise? If you work in biotech, pharma, or engineering, you’ve learned your presentations need more than snazzy slides and polished prose to keep your audience engaged. If you want to capture and keep an audience’s attention, you need to explain your technical topic in an uncomplicated way. In this session, you’ll learn a proven process to structure your technical talk so your audience understands, cares, and remembers. You'll also get access to a planning worksheet you can use to make your presentations memorable and understandable.
Location: Constant Contact, 1601 Trapelo Rd, Waltham, MA 02451
Cost: $35 for members, $55 for non-members
Register
MAY 8
Rockstar Breakfast
May 8, 2018, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Are you looking for an opportunity to network with local senior tech leaders? If so, this is THE event for you. Enjoy a light breakfast accompanied by lots of conversation with Larry Friedman, Tim Mugherini, and Sabine Schilg. Registration is for WEST MEMBERS ONLY and will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants to ensure an intimate experience.
Location: Carbonite, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111
Cost: $10 for members
Register
MAy 14
Patent and Trademark Considerations for Start-Ups
May 14, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
This workshop will include presentations by Elizabeth Spar and Lisa Tittemore, partners at the Intellectual Property firm of Sunstein, Kann, Murphy and Timbers, LLP. The workshop will address strategies for using patents and trademarks for competitive advantage, including building and managing a valuable patent portfolio, aligning patent strategy to deal with competitors, and the importance of searching and protecting trademarks, with attention on specific considerations for start-up companies.
Location: Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP, 125 Summer St, Boston, MA 02110
Cost: $10 for members, $25 for non-members
Register
May 16
Book Club
May 16, July 18, September 19, and November 14, 2018, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
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. We have selected the books based on member suggestions.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Monadnock Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $50 for members
Register
may 23
Providing Impactful Feedback Up, Down, and Across
May 23, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Join Executive Communication Coach and Trainer, Tori Hollingworth, 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. The goal of this session is to increase each participant’s comfort and effectiveness when delivering feedback within all levels of their organization. The skills learned will be relevant in a variety of settings whether face-to- face, virtually or in small groups. This coaching experience will help speakers identify their areas of communication need, strengthen their feedback communication through practice, establish building trust and maintaining relationships, and refine their interpersonal style. There will be multiple opportunities for practice with feedback from both the participants and the coach.
Location: bluebird bio, 60 Binney Street, 10th Floor, Aviary Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $15 for members, $40 for non-members
Register
JUN 6
Career Possibilities and Speed Networking Night
June 6, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Do you want to define your value proposition, explore career possibilities, and be inspired by people who have used their science and technical training to advance their careers in different directions? Join us for WEST’s Annual Career Possibilities Event. The evening will start with facilitated networking, so you can meet the other attendees and panelists. This will be followed by a panel discussion to learn more about each panelist and their key lessons learned. Then you will have the opportunity to break into small groups and talk with the different panelists.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Monadnock Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $20 for members, $45 for non-members; Summer Series (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27) for Members: $75
Register
Jun 12
Leadership and Women of the Future Awards and Panel Discussion
Jun 12, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Our exposure to great role models and sponsors can substantially influence how our careers grow and develop. Please join us for an evening to honor inspirational established women leaders who have made their mark. Hear these established leaders describe the secrets to their own success, and learn more about the attributes that they are seeing exemplified in outstanding women from the next generation. Be inspired, network, get good tips, and celebrate the career advancement of all levels women in STEM!
Location: Sanofi, 50 Binney Street, Cambridge MA
Cost: $20 for members, $50 for non-members
Register
JUN 13
Career Management for Today's Work Environment
June 13, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
The world of work is dramatically changing; the impacts of globalization and technology, for example, have led to a shift in the paradigm defining our careers. Effective career management accounts for this reality and requires an understanding of your own interests, values, skills as well as your options. While organizations can lend support and resources, it is largely up to each of us to own and be intentional about the development of our careers. This workshop will give you the opportunity to take stock of your career preferences, motives, drivers and interests through an online assessment you will take prior to the workshop. During our time together you will receive your individual assessment results and explore the implications for your career with a supportive group of peers. You will leave with energy, ideas to implement and a roadmap for next steps in managing your career.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Monadnock Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $30 for members, $50 for non-members; Summer Series (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27) for Members: $75
Register
Jun 20
Career Coaching Circles
June 20, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Coaching circles adapt the principles and methods of individual coaching and apply them to small, intentional groups. They set the stage for peer to peer coaching facilitated by trained and qualified professional coaches offering women a supportive and motivating environment to connect through meaningful conversations. Participants develop a set of peer coaching skills in addition to benefiting from professional coaching, and are often preferred by people who learn well in small groups. Join us to establish new relationships, enhance leadership skills and talents, and develop in an area that is a current challenge. We will do three 30 minute sessions. Some of the table topics will be preset and some will be based on ideas submitted when people register to attend.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Monadnock Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $20 for members, $40 for non-members; Summer Series (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27) for Members: $75
Register
Jun 27
LinkedIn & Networking: Your Reputation Precedes You
June 27, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
With increasing recruitment and professional networking activity online, we are often not aware when we make our first impression on someone new. For this reason, it is critical to be engaged and well-connected - to optimize our online presence and to make the most of the tools available. In this workshop, we will focus on effective utilization of LinkedIn, as well as review how marketing principles like search engine optimization (SEO) and brand differentiation apply to job seekers, influencers, and even passive industry professionals. Discussion topics will include tips for creating a strong online presence & LinkedIn profile, as well as your Google results, and the strategy around consistency in networking - both online and in-person.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Monadnock Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $20 for members, $50 for non-members; Summer Series (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27) for Members: $75
Register
Jul 25
Leadership Strategies to Advance Your Career
July 25, 2018, 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Sandra Glucksmann, Entrepreneur In Residence at Third Rock Ventures, will share stories of her career challenges and success. She will discuss how to best apply your scientific and analytical abilities to develop influence and negotiation skills. Sandra will share her learning experiences as she transitioned from bench scientist to manager, and from manager to executive in both small and large company settings.
Location: bluebird bio, 60 Binney Street, 10th Floor, Aviary Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $10 for members, $25 for non-members
Register
AUG 1
Developing Presence
August 1, 2018, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Today's leaders need more than a great resume, they need Presence - the ability to connect, inspire and influence others at all levels. In this 90-minute workshop, we'll describe three elements of Presence that apply to everyone, regardless of your role, that can easily be learned and refined. You'll leave with some tips and techniques for creating a positive first impression, enhancing your verbal presence, and being intentional about connecting with others. Learn to make a memorable connection without self-promoting.
Location: bluebird bio, 60 Binney Street, 10th Floor, Aviary Room, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $15 for members, $40 for non-members
Register
Save the Dates:
9/13: Influence Without Authority
9/20: Improving the Quality and Impact of our Conversations through Conversational Intelligence™
9/27: Could You be the Reason Your Employee isn't Performing?
10/23: Interrupting Bias
To Learn more about any workshop leaders listed, please visit http://www.westorg.org/content-experts-and-workshop-leaders
