STEM is a Team Sport
How to Choose Your Inner Circle
I have asserted before and will continue to maintain my insistence that STEM, and your STEM career, is a team sport. Now before the bootstrap crowd comes after me, I do think that you’re in the driver’s seat and you are responsible for putting in the work to level up. Nobody is going to hand hold you through your degree, job applications, or excelling at work. That being said, I think most truly accomplished STEM professionals will cede the point that they didn’t get to where they are on their own. You need an inner circle of trusted people to help you on your way and provide advice, feedback, insight, or just a listening ear.
In a minute I will break down the different categories of people who make up your inner circle, but I think there are five primary criteria that you can universally apply when choosing them.
1. There should be something about them you’re seeking to emulate.
2. They should be trustworthy.
3. They should hold confidential information in confidence.
4. They should want the best for you.
5. They shouldn’t have an agenda for you, but if they do, they should be forthright about it.
Now that we’ve laid out the basic criteria, here is who could be in your inner circle and the role they might play.
Your mentor at work: Having someone at your job who is further down your path of choice and willing to point you in the right direction is exceptionally valuable. From technical problems to navigating the specifics of your workplace, there’s no replacement for having a mentor who is familiar with the ins and outs of your professional day to day.
Your mentor outside of work: I cannot stress how important it is to have a professional mentor outside of your current employer. It might seem convenient to have your whole circle wrapped up with work just for ease of access, and there are up sides to work being a one stop shop. That is, until it’s time to leave your job, and you a) don’t have someone to help you navigate that decision making process and b) might be left high and dry with no mentorship until you can lay the groundwork with a new mentor at your next job.
Your peers: Having a strong peer group, particularly across companies and across disciplines, is a huge advantage. In my experience, my peer group has been much blunter and more open with me when it comes to work questions than anyone else. We’ve talked compensation, changing jobs, who is hiring, who might be worth getting connected with, and professional development with the sort of frankness you can only have from friends on your level. I’ve been able to get honest, crowd sourced feedback on everything from my resume to quitting my first job out of college. When picking a peer group, don’t aim to be the smartest in the room. Aim to be in a room where you can both learn and contribute.
Your partner: Who you come home to every day, run a household with, or turn to to discuss the latest work development matters. Are they technically your coworker? No. Do they have a significant impact on what you’re reading, how much you’re working, whether or not you quit your job, your attitude towards money, your goals around retirement, and more? Quite possibly. I know that for me having the right person in my corner has made all the difference.
The content you consume: I think this is perhaps the most overlooked part of your circle. The books you read, the videos you watch, and the creators you follow have a big impact on your thinking and actions. Not everything you consume has to be work related, but if it is professionally themed make sure it’s providing you with the type of advice you’re looking for. Are you following influencer Instagram models selling manifestation guides, or members of your industry who have been in your shoes? Your choice, but make it consciously.
You: Don’t forget that you’re the most important part of your circle. Ask yourself, are you treating your career with the care and seriousness you hope others in your circle would? Are you being careful about who you take advice from? Oftentimes the most important change in your career come from the face in the mirror.
Who is currently in your inner circle? How have they helped you out on your journey? Let me know at YourSTEMMentorBlog@gmail.com!