Surprise Prototypes! As I look at the date, I realize, wow, 2023 is right around the corner. Once we get through all the gift giving and good food eating, the calendar will flip as we start to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Then of course, social media will prompt us to answer the question: What’s your New Year’s resolution? As you ponder this question, I’d offer you add a goal to serve in a mentor or advisor in some capacity. In listening to Season 1 guests, an underlying thread is how wise guidance provided key support throughout their STEM education and career. As you know that is what STEM Sync is all about… leveraging the resource of a personal narrative to serve as encouragement along the STEM pipeline. Today’s bonus episode helps to drive this point. I am joined by Ms. Janet T. Phan whose focus is on paying forward her experience by helping raise awareness of the important role that mentoring can play, the elements and qualities of a good mentorship, and in connecting more girls with STEM mentors to increase women entering the field. My hope is that her story will convince you to add my suggested new year’s resolution. Just think, your one year of mentoring could have a lifetime of influence. Now let’s sync!
Janet T. Phan is the Founder and Executive Director of Thriving Elements, a nonprofit dedicated to creating access and opportunities for underserved, underrepresented girls with long-term, 1:1 mentorship in STEM fields. Janet’s vision is to develop and empower young women in STEM to make a sustainable impact and inspire the next generation of women leaders. She is a Senior Technical Product Manager for Amazon's Project Kuiper and the author of Boldly You: A Story about Discovering What You’re Capable of When You Show Up for Yourself.
