Women Scientists and Engineers Employed in Industry: Why So Few? (1994)

Set Objectives

Identify and communicate your personal objectives.

Test reality with managers, peers, counselors, and mentors.

Understand total requirements and market value of the job.

Meet Performance Requirements

Excel both in performance and interpersonal skills.

Effect team collaboration.

Be a role model or mentor to others.

Take steps to ensure your internal scientific visibility and stature, via reports, presentations, and invited talks.

Ensure your external scientific visibility and stature (publications, presentations, invited talks, patents, professional society activities).

Know Your Organization

Understand your organization and the strategic intent of the business.

Comprehend technology directions.

Assess research priorities and technical activities to leverage your expertise.

Seek Development Opportunities

Increase the breadth of your skills.

Participate in both formal training (internally and externally) and cross-functional and cross-organizational experiences.

Be prepared to relocate.

Seek ongoing advice and feedback.

Engage in academic outreach and university interactions.

Seek opportunities for project management.

Seek and leverage external funding.

Communicate

Emphasize:

Organizational goals and activities

Standards of excellence and relevance

Critical core competencies and skills required for personal and business success

Ongoing honest and timely feedback

Proactively Support Career Planning

Engage in regular objective setting.

Discuss multiyear career goals annually.

Follow through with Development Action Plans.

Initiate career development discussions.

Provide information and advice regarding career development actions, options, and training.

Encourage educational opportunities, including sabbaticals.

Support the writing of papers and attendance at conferences.

Enable individuals to maintain internal and external scientific visibility.

Set Up and Support Development Opportunities

Champion your people and assist them toward their development goals.

Create opportunities for internal visibility.

Foster cross-organizational and cross-discipline opportunities.

Provide cross-training for promotion and job satisfaction.

Provide project management opportunities.

Recommend candidates for internal and external opportunities.

Work to remove barriers to publication.