Sustaining women through critical transition points in science, engineering, and medicine
Though trained and highly skilled, women in science, engineering, and medicine often find it difficult to transition at pivotal points in their careers. A fall 2008 Women Scientists and Innovation workshop, sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation at the National Academies in Washington, D.C., engaged representatives from science, engineering, and biomedical societies to focus on advancing and sustaining careers and leadership in these fields. In partnership with the Office of Research on Women’s Health, the seminar included a panel discussion on the following issues:
- An exploration of how a National Academies’ Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine report on gender difference in tenure and tenure-track positions in science and engineering elucidates critical transition points in academia;
- Proven strategies for helping women transition in industrial careers;
- How the changing nature of science, engineering, and medicine—in particular, the growth in interdisciplinary fields—impacts career progression now and in the future; and
- The effects of critical transition points on women’s career choices.
