<\/p>\r\n

Citations<\/h2>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

1. https:\/\/swe.org\/outreach\/adult-advocate\/<\/a>
2.
https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/2023\/05\/stem-mentoring\/<\/a>
3.
https:\/\/www.k12dive.com\/news\/95-of-teachers-say-mentors-make-a-difference-for-students\/617250\/<\/a>
4.
https:\/\/nap.nationalacademies.org\/resource\/25568\/interactive\/mentorship-defined.html#section1<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>","post_title":"Connecting the Dots Between Mentoring and Adult Advocacy","post_excerpt":"Learn the similarities and differences between adult advocacy and mentorship. Plus, find resources to get started as a mentor or adult advocate!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"mentoring-adult-advocacy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-06-07 15:12:37","post_modified_gmt":"2024-06-07 20:12:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/?p=40260","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":40256,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-03-31 09:41:51","post_date_gmt":"2024-03-31 14:41:51","post_content":"Psychological safety has been a popular concept in the business press lately, particularly after a Google study<\/a> of teams highlighted psychological safety as a key characteristic of high-performance teams. Many managers ask, \u201cHow do we foster psychological safety, particularly in a virtual team?\u201d Fortunately, I interviewed a team in which psychological safety improved due to a new leadership approach.\r\n\r\nThe benefits of psychological safety go straight to performance. Team members are more engaged, share more information, and are more productive. In diverse teams, psychological safety is one of the reasons they are more creative.\r\n\r\nThe evidence is compelling, but the steps to develop psychological safety are illusive. Various activities combine to create an environment where people feel free to speak openly, and managers need examples to make the concepts concrete. The virtual team I interviewed, which was distributed across offices in three different countries, serves as an informative example.\r\n\r\nThe virtual team received a new manager who had a different view towards creating the team. He and the team made the following changes together, which resulted in one team member explaining, \u201cWe are not afraid to ask anymore. Before, I was hesitant as I would not throw things in the open.\u201d\r\n

1. Build a Team Identity<\/h2>\r\nIn this example, the manager prioritized creating the feeling of one team. He eliminated boring reporting meetings and replaced them with topics that interested everyone. The team initiated activities that brought them together, including coffee breaks. A surprisingly insightful sharing activity, \u201ctell us your favorite book,\u201d helped team members feel included.\r\n

2. Focus on the Unique Individuals<\/h2>\r\nBelonging involves two elements: each person identifies themselves as part of the team and each person feels valued for their unique characteristics. The team manager was immediately interested in the competences and characteristics of each person.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the manager met one-on-one with each person. As he explained, \u201cEach one-on-one is different, and it is not dependent on me. What we speak about and how we engage varies dramatically from person to person. It is the way that person and I foster the dialogue. It really depends on what happens specifically between us.\u201d\r\n

3. Emphasize Team Learning<\/h2>\r\nThe virtual team scheduled \u201clunch and learns\u201d where members could share their ideas. They invited different external stakeholders to these meetings to have a broader understanding of the business. The team manager facilitated the conversations and encouraged open dialogue.\r\n

4. Leverage Communication Tools<\/h2>\r\nA pleasant surprise for the team was the impact a simple Microsoft Teams chat had on their feeling of personal connection. Team members shared fun posts, gifs, birthday wishes, and local celebrations. Each person treated the chat forum with respect and participated as they wished.\r\n

5. Model Vulnerability<\/h2>\r\nAn underlying component of psychological safety is the willingness to be vulnerable, which starts with the manager role-modeling that vulnerability is ok.\r\n\r\nAs one team member explained, \u201cWhen the barriers and the walls come down \u2013 today, I am having a crap day, my computer crashed, a customer yelled at me. Everyone has these days, and to know that your manager also has these days and is willing to share it in a professional way without bringing everyone down [is powerful].\u201d Others followed, thereby creating the space to share personal bad days without any repercussions.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nThese activities, combined with the attitude of the manager and team members, created a psychologically safe environment. People started asking more questions, reaching out to others, and learning together. Even though they worked in different countries, the team improved how they interacted and functioned together.\r\n
The live event, \u201cManaging Global Teams: Ideas to Improve Collaboration and Impact,\u201d<\/strong> takes place on Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. CT. The session is free for SWE members, and Theresa will provide practical ideas for managers who want to tap into the potential of global collaboration. Register today<\/a> to reserve your spot!<\/blockquote>","post_title":"5 Steps to Improve Psychological Safety in a Virtual Team","post_excerpt":"Theresa Sigillito Hollema (she\/her) shares a real-world case study of how an international team improved its psychological safety. Plus, join her upcoming free live event, \u201cManaging Global Teams: Ideas to Improve Collaboration and Impact,\u201d in SWE's Advance Learning Center on April 17!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"psychological-safety-virtual-team","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-03-31 09:41:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-03-31 14:41:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/?p=40256","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":40195,"post_author":"132","post_date":"2024-03-12 09:16:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-03-12 14:16:19","post_content":"The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is hosting a virtual career fair for engineering professionals with at least three years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields on Wednesday, May 7! Candidates and employers can find out more details and register here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIn the written and video interviews below, SWE Member Sunita Ramnarinesingh<\/strong> shares about her past experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals and provides important tips for success.\r\n

Welcome, Sunita! Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your professional background?<\/h2>\r\nI am an electrical engineer with both a master\u2019s degree and bachelor\u2019s degree from Florida Tech. I have diverse work experience in software testing, project management, web development and systems engineering.\r\n\r\nI\u2019m currently employed in the space industry as a systems integration and test engineer for the Orion Spacecraft Assembly Test & Launch Operations (ATLO). I coordinate the European Service Module (ESM) activities, and I also volunteer with my local Space Coast SWE Section.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/66Q6PzsYyoY[\/embed]\r\n

Sunita Ramnarinesingh reflects on her experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

What inspired you to participate in SWE\u2019s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?<\/h2>\r\nI was interested in the convenience and accessibility of the virtual career fair<\/a> format.\u00a0The virtual format eliminated the need to travel, which allowed me to participate from the comfort of my own home. This is especially convenient since I live in a smaller city with limited access to in-person career fairs.<\/strong> I was able to customize my participation to fit my schedule, focusing on the companies and presentations that are most relevant to my interests.\r\n\r\nI also saw the event as a learning and growth opportunity. By attending various company presentations and workshops, I was able to learn about the latest advancements and trends in my engineering field. This will help me stay ahead of the curve and make informed career decisions.\r\n\r\nThe virtual career fair was also an opportunity to practice my networking and interviewing skills.<\/strong> Even if you're not actively seeking a new position, participating in the fair can be a great way to improve these skills in a low-pressure environment.\r\n

Did you have any doubts or hesitations around the virtual format of the event?<\/h2>\r\nGoing into the event, I was a little concerned about technical difficulties, such as internet connectivity or platform glitches that could interrupt my interaction with potential employers. I also had concerns about navigating the virtual platform since I was unfamiliar with it.\r\n\r\nBy acknowledging these concerns and taking steps to prepare, I mitigated these anxieties and maximized my experience at the virtual career fair. Fortunately, none of these issues came up during the event, and everything ran smoothly.\r\n

What benefits did you receive from participating in SWE\u2019s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?<\/h2>\r\nDuring the virtual career fair, I learned about a few companies and roles I had never considered before. I also made some valuable new connections.\r\n

What strategies would you recommend to other engineers who want to make the most of their virtual career fair experience?<\/h2>\r\n\"Sunita Sunita Ramnarinesingh, Electrical Engineer and SWE Member[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI recommend that engineers prepare for the virtual career fair by researching participating companies in advance. Focus on the organizations that are aligned with your skills, interests and values. Find out about their work culture, engineering teams and recent projects so you can demonstrate genuine interest and ask insightful questions.\r\n\r\nBefore the event, summarize your skills, experience and career aspirations into an elevator pitch that you can share in a confident and engaging way.<\/strong> Practice your delivery of this elevator speech beforehand to ensure it flows smoothly. Also, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your latest projects, awards and contributions before the virtual career fair begins.\r\n\r\nFamiliarize yourself with the virtual platform, including the video chat features, chat functionalities and booth functionalities to avoid any technical difficulties.\r\n\r\nAfter the virtual career fair, you can connect with recruiters and other engineers you met on LinkedIn to maintain communication and explore potential opportunities. You can send personalized follow-up messages or emails thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the company or opportunity.\r\n\r\nLastly, be sure to practice self-care by scheduling breaks during the event. This will help you avoid burnout and maintain your enthusiasm throughout the virtual career fair.\r\n

What would you say to anyone who feels hesitant about participating in a virtual career fair?<\/h2>\r\nEmbrace the opportunity! Virtual career fairs offer a unique chance to connect with a diverse range of companies and professionals from the comfort of your own home.<\/strong> Stay positive, be proactive and leverage this experience to advance your engineering career.\r\n\r\nIf you have 3+ years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields post-undergraduate degree and are looking for your next role, or if you are a company looking to fill professional-level engineering and technology positions, we invite you to join us at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals<\/a> taking place May 7!\r\n\r\nIn addition to the Virtual Career Fair for Professionals, SWE has a variety of resources to help women engineers succeed in their careers:\r\n

\r\n
  • Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

    Citations<\/h2>\r\n

    \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

    1. https:\/\/swe.org\/outreach\/adult-advocate\/<\/a>
    2.
    https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/2023\/05\/stem-mentoring\/<\/a>
    3.
    https:\/\/www.k12dive.com\/news\/95-of-teachers-say-mentors-make-a-difference-for-students\/617250\/<\/a>
    4.
    https:\/\/nap.nationalacademies.org\/resource\/25568\/interactive\/mentorship-defined.html#section1<\/a><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>","post_title":"Connecting the Dots Between Mentoring and Adult Advocacy","post_excerpt":"Learn the similarities and differences between adult advocacy and mentorship. Plus, find resources to get started as a mentor or adult advocate!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"mentoring-adult-advocacy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-06-07 15:12:37","post_modified_gmt":"2024-06-07 20:12:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/?p=40260","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":40256,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-03-31 09:41:51","post_date_gmt":"2024-03-31 14:41:51","post_content":"Psychological safety has been a popular concept in the business press lately, particularly after a Google study<\/a> of teams highlighted psychological safety as a key characteristic of high-performance teams. Many managers ask, \u201cHow do we foster psychological safety, particularly in a virtual team?\u201d Fortunately, I interviewed a team in which psychological safety improved due to a new leadership approach.\r\n\r\nThe benefits of psychological safety go straight to performance. Team members are more engaged, share more information, and are more productive. In diverse teams, psychological safety is one of the reasons they are more creative.\r\n\r\nThe evidence is compelling, but the steps to develop psychological safety are illusive. Various activities combine to create an environment where people feel free to speak openly, and managers need examples to make the concepts concrete. The virtual team I interviewed, which was distributed across offices in three different countries, serves as an informative example.\r\n\r\nThe virtual team received a new manager who had a different view towards creating the team. He and the team made the following changes together, which resulted in one team member explaining, \u201cWe are not afraid to ask anymore. Before, I was hesitant as I would not throw things in the open.\u201d\r\n

    1. Build a Team Identity<\/h2>\r\nIn this example, the manager prioritized creating the feeling of one team. He eliminated boring reporting meetings and replaced them with topics that interested everyone. The team initiated activities that brought them together, including coffee breaks. A surprisingly insightful sharing activity, \u201ctell us your favorite book,\u201d helped team members feel included.\r\n

    2. Focus on the Unique Individuals<\/h2>\r\nBelonging involves two elements: each person identifies themselves as part of the team and each person feels valued for their unique characteristics. The team manager was immediately interested in the competences and characteristics of each person.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the manager met one-on-one with each person. As he explained, \u201cEach one-on-one is different, and it is not dependent on me. What we speak about and how we engage varies dramatically from person to person. It is the way that person and I foster the dialogue. It really depends on what happens specifically between us.\u201d\r\n

    3. Emphasize Team Learning<\/h2>\r\nThe virtual team scheduled \u201clunch and learns\u201d where members could share their ideas. They invited different external stakeholders to these meetings to have a broader understanding of the business. The team manager facilitated the conversations and encouraged open dialogue.\r\n

    4. Leverage Communication Tools<\/h2>\r\nA pleasant surprise for the team was the impact a simple Microsoft Teams chat had on their feeling of personal connection. Team members shared fun posts, gifs, birthday wishes, and local celebrations. Each person treated the chat forum with respect and participated as they wished.\r\n

    5. Model Vulnerability<\/h2>\r\nAn underlying component of psychological safety is the willingness to be vulnerable, which starts with the manager role-modeling that vulnerability is ok.\r\n\r\nAs one team member explained, \u201cWhen the barriers and the walls come down \u2013 today, I am having a crap day, my computer crashed, a customer yelled at me. Everyone has these days, and to know that your manager also has these days and is willing to share it in a professional way without bringing everyone down [is powerful].\u201d Others followed, thereby creating the space to share personal bad days without any repercussions.\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\r\nThese activities, combined with the attitude of the manager and team members, created a psychologically safe environment. People started asking more questions, reaching out to others, and learning together. Even though they worked in different countries, the team improved how they interacted and functioned together.\r\n
    The live event, \u201cManaging Global Teams: Ideas to Improve Collaboration and Impact,\u201d<\/strong> takes place on Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. CT. The session is free for SWE members, and Theresa will provide practical ideas for managers who want to tap into the potential of global collaboration. Register today<\/a> to reserve your spot!<\/blockquote>","post_title":"5 Steps to Improve Psychological Safety in a Virtual Team","post_excerpt":"Theresa Sigillito Hollema (she\/her) shares a real-world case study of how an international team improved its psychological safety. Plus, join her upcoming free live event, \u201cManaging Global Teams: Ideas to Improve Collaboration and Impact,\u201d in SWE's Advance Learning Center on April 17!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"psychological-safety-virtual-team","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-03-31 09:41:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-03-31 14:41:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/alltogether.swe.org\/?p=40256","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":40195,"post_author":"132","post_date":"2024-03-12 09:16:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-03-12 14:16:19","post_content":"The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is hosting a virtual career fair for engineering professionals with at least three years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields on Wednesday, May 7! Candidates and employers can find out more details and register here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIn the written and video interviews below, SWE Member Sunita Ramnarinesingh<\/strong> shares about her past experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals and provides important tips for success.\r\n

    Welcome, Sunita! Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your professional background?<\/h2>\r\nI am an electrical engineer with both a master\u2019s degree and bachelor\u2019s degree from Florida Tech. I have diverse work experience in software testing, project management, web development and systems engineering.\r\n\r\nI\u2019m currently employed in the space industry as a systems integration and test engineer for the Orion Spacecraft Assembly Test & Launch Operations (ATLO). I coordinate the European Service Module (ESM) activities, and I also volunteer with my local Space Coast SWE Section.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/66Q6PzsYyoY[\/embed]\r\n

    Sunita Ramnarinesingh reflects on her experience at the SWE Virtual Career Fair<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

    What inspired you to participate in SWE\u2019s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?<\/h2>\r\nI was interested in the convenience and accessibility of the virtual career fair<\/a> format.\u00a0The virtual format eliminated the need to travel, which allowed me to participate from the comfort of my own home. This is especially convenient since I live in a smaller city with limited access to in-person career fairs.<\/strong> I was able to customize my participation to fit my schedule, focusing on the companies and presentations that are most relevant to my interests.\r\n\r\nI also saw the event as a learning and growth opportunity. By attending various company presentations and workshops, I was able to learn about the latest advancements and trends in my engineering field. This will help me stay ahead of the curve and make informed career decisions.\r\n\r\nThe virtual career fair was also an opportunity to practice my networking and interviewing skills.<\/strong> Even if you're not actively seeking a new position, participating in the fair can be a great way to improve these skills in a low-pressure environment.\r\n

    Did you have any doubts or hesitations around the virtual format of the event?<\/h2>\r\nGoing into the event, I was a little concerned about technical difficulties, such as internet connectivity or platform glitches that could interrupt my interaction with potential employers. I also had concerns about navigating the virtual platform since I was unfamiliar with it.\r\n\r\nBy acknowledging these concerns and taking steps to prepare, I mitigated these anxieties and maximized my experience at the virtual career fair. Fortunately, none of these issues came up during the event, and everything ran smoothly.\r\n

    What benefits did you receive from participating in SWE\u2019s Virtual Career Fair for Professionals?<\/h2>\r\nDuring the virtual career fair, I learned about a few companies and roles I had never considered before. I also made some valuable new connections.\r\n

    What strategies would you recommend to other engineers who want to make the most of their virtual career fair experience?<\/h2>\r\n\"Sunita Sunita Ramnarinesingh, Electrical Engineer and SWE Member[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI recommend that engineers prepare for the virtual career fair by researching participating companies in advance. Focus on the organizations that are aligned with your skills, interests and values. Find out about their work culture, engineering teams and recent projects so you can demonstrate genuine interest and ask insightful questions.\r\n\r\nBefore the event, summarize your skills, experience and career aspirations into an elevator pitch that you can share in a confident and engaging way.<\/strong> Practice your delivery of this elevator speech beforehand to ensure it flows smoothly. Also, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your latest projects, awards and contributions before the virtual career fair begins.\r\n\r\nFamiliarize yourself with the virtual platform, including the video chat features, chat functionalities and booth functionalities to avoid any technical difficulties.\r\n\r\nAfter the virtual career fair, you can connect with recruiters and other engineers you met on LinkedIn to maintain communication and explore potential opportunities. You can send personalized follow-up messages or emails thanking them for their time and expressing your continued interest in the company or opportunity.\r\n\r\nLastly, be sure to practice self-care by scheduling breaks during the event. This will help you avoid burnout and maintain your enthusiasm throughout the virtual career fair.\r\n

    What would you say to anyone who feels hesitant about participating in a virtual career fair?<\/h2>\r\nEmbrace the opportunity! Virtual career fairs offer a unique chance to connect with a diverse range of companies and professionals from the comfort of your own home.<\/strong> Stay positive, be proactive and leverage this experience to advance your engineering career.\r\n\r\nIf you have 3+ years of professional experience in the engineering and technology fields post-undergraduate degree and are looking for your next role, or if you are a company looking to fill professional-level engineering and technology positions, we invite you to join us at the SWE Virtual Career Fair for Professionals<\/a> taking place May 7!\r\n\r\nIn addition to the Virtual Career Fair for Professionals, SWE has a variety of resources to help women engineers succeed in their careers:\r\n