It is a well-known fact that the number of women in science, engineering and business fields is growing, yet men continue to outnumber women, especially at the upper levels of these professions. Many women appear to encounter a series of challenges at early or midcareer stages that contribute to them leaving their careers prematurely due to feelings of isolation, an unsupportive work environment, extreme work schedules, and unclear rules about advancement and success.
This program serves as a unique opportunity to obtain both formal and informal mentoring tips from a successful woman engineer who spent over 25 years in the petrochemical/specialty chemical industry. She has seen and has experienced significant changes in the number of professional women active in the technical/scientific field and is convinced that more positive change can happen in the future.
This seminar will provide detailed guidance, based on real life examples, on how female professionals can become proactive in creating career opportunities via self-assessment, self-motivation, an objective view of one¿s own abilities, and continuous steps in self-improvement. The program will take participants beyond theory to case studies and real life examples exemplifying potential for immediate use.
- Identify obstacles and common challenges that hold you back in your career
- Develop and utilize critical communication skills
- Develop focused and well defined criteria for processional progress
- Define your professional relationships with clear boundaries and respect
- Create a flexible career plan
- Handle criticism and difficult situations with composure
- Course Motivation: Why are you here?
- Historical Perspective - Women in Engineering and Scientific Professions
- Dr. Ewa Bardasz - personal story
- Survey data - status of women professionals: tenure, promotions, salary trends, recognitions, etc
- Case Study #1: What holds you back in your career?
- Common Challenges
- Case Study #2: Career Goals: Success Defining Questions
- Work Climate Changes
- Definition of Professional Success
- Technical know-how
- Leadership skills
- Refining Critical Verbal Communication Skills
- Presentations/ public speaking
- Negotiations/ conflict communications
- Getting your points across
- How to speak up without coming across as to aggressive
- How to find balance between "being to nice" and "coming on too strong"
- How you can say "no" without feeling guilty
- Case Study #3: How can you successfully negotiate with a group of aggressive men?
- Refining Critical Written Communication Skills
- Reports, technical papers
- Email, social media
- Networking
- Behaviors and Relationships
- Handling emotions at work
- Mentors/Advisors - pros and cons
- Work-Life Balance
- Key Resources
- Professional organizations
- Community activities
- Reflections and Final Thoughts
- Take Away Message
- Case Study #4: What will I do next?
Dr. Ewa A. Bardasz is a Fellow at The Lubrizol Corporation where she is currently responsible for overseeing technical activities related to lubricating novel combustion hardware, aftertreatment systems and emissions. She is experienced in the areas of crankcase lubrication, corrosion inhibition, engine testing and exhaust emissions control. Dr. Bardasz holds over 25 patents, has published multiple technical and scientific papers, authored chapters for technical books and is a frequent invited speaker at conferences throughout the U.S. and Europe. She is the recipient of the SAE International 2002 Award for Research on Automotive Lubricants, and 2009 SAE International Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award. Dr. Bardasz is a Fellow of SAE International and a Fellow of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) where she is also on the Board of Directors. Dr. Bardasz obtained a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Warsaw Technical University and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Case Institute of Technology.