Graduate Women “Lean In”: Building Community and Broadening Understanding

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University developed a facilitated book discussion series that used the best-selling book “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg as a framework for promoting professional development and community building for graduate students. Building on the themes of the book, this program sought to promote reflection among participants about the choices and actions that women can take to position themselves for success—and encouraged exploration of students’ personal vision of success. Results of preand post-tests, along with observational data gathered by the facilitators, indicated that students were concerned largely by two topics: concerns about how to balance their career ambition and their goals for a fulfilling personal life (whatever that may be), and how to have positive and beneficial relationship with mentors or advisors. Students also shared their challenges and frustration with advisors and mentors, and provided brainstorming and support to help negotiate these relationships. The assessment data were hand-coded to identify common themes and the results include some striking perspectives of graduate women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and suggestions of ways to better support members of this group through co-curricular programs.