AdaMarie Expert Dr. Scyatta Wallace: You're Not Alone: How to Build a Support Network to Succeed as a Woman in STEM
As women in STEM, it's exciting to know the contributions you are making will better society through your work. But despite all that you love about your STEM careers; it's tough. Let's face it, it's often a lonely road. You are often the only person in STEM amongst your family/friends and you are likely one of few women at school/work.
Human beings are social animals. We need to be with others to survive. Studies have found people who have more friends or deeper connections live longer, healthier, happier lives, and they make more money. Social connections are so important that the Surgeon General wrote a health advisory in 2023 about loneliness. This report cited that loneliness is more devastating to your health than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
The good news is you don't have to do it alone! Cultivating a community of support will help you not only feel better but will contribute to your success as a woman in STEM. Here are some tips for creating a vibrant, supportive community.
- Commit to finding a community or building one yourself. It's important to realize you need to create the network you are looking to support you. Oftentimes when we are so busy, we know there is something that could make our life better, but we don't act on it. Don't let that happen! Build a group now that can support your career and help you thrive in life. It will be much more challenging to find/build one when you are in a place of dire need of support. Make a timeline for when you will look for groups or identify individuals you can reach out with to form a group of your own.
- Reach out to others. Go online and do a search for local or virtual groups/spaces that can support your career as a woman in STEM. There are many non-profit organizations, advocacy groups and online communities, such as Ada Marie, to choose from. You may also choose to identify individuals that you want to connect with and reach out to via email, LinkedIn or other social media channels. The key is to realize that you are doing the outreach. Although it would be nice to have others find you; that may not happen. Thus, you need to be proactive in connecting with those people you are looking to be part of your community and stay actively engaged with them and their lives.
- Be patient. Creating deep meaningful connections may take time. At first you may be apprehensive to speak or may be feeling out people in the group and vice versa. Know that each interaction adds to the experiences that you have/share and creates a better space for support among the group. Stay engaged and be consistent in participating in the group. It might help to establish a system for engaging with the group. For example, if it's an virtual community you may choose every Wednesday at 5pm to check in the online portal to see what's happening. If the group has a specific day/time for meeting, be sure to add it to your calendar. Remember the Surgeon General warned community/social interactions are part of your health. So, make it a priority, similar to how you would treat exercising and eating right.
- Listen and speak up. Depending on your personality, you may want to sit back and listen to what others are saying which is great. But it's also important to know that you should speak up and share your experiences/needs with the group. If you hear about resources/opportunities, let the group know. If you experience a challenge and don't know how to handle it, ask the group for advice. Community building is a give and take exchange. It doesn't work well without everyone being engaged.
- Try different groups/people. When you are looking for a community or building one yourself, don't be afraid to connect with others who are different from you. Having some shared interests/skills is great but magic happens in diversity. There is much to be learned from the unique perspectives of others who have varied backgrounds. If you have given a group time to develop connections and you realize it's not for you, that's okay too. Find another one that might be a better fit. Also know that it's okay to be part of more than one group if you have the bandwidth to do so.
- Reach back to lift others up. Be a part of the solution in addressing the isolation barrier many women in STEM face. Once you have found a community that supports your success and helps you thrive, invite others.
- Have fun. Mostly importantly enjoy the connections. There will be times when the community is providing advice or a shoulder to lean on during tough challenges. But there are many other times when the group is there to be a stress reliever and a place to let your hair down. Relax, laugh, share celebrations and have a good time with the community you are in or have built.
Having a supportive network and community is a key to succeeding as a woman in STEM. You are not alone.