Dear INFORMS Community,
I recently read the blog titled "To My Younger Self 2022: A Mentoring Initiative to Bridge the Gap Between Who You Are and Who You Want to Be" by Shikha Safaya from Scheller College of Business, Georgia Tech. You can read it here: To My Younger Self 2022. The blog highlights the unique challenges that women face in academia, especially in STEM, and describes a mentoring initiative aimed at equipping women doctoral students with the tools for success in their professional and personal lives.
While I am not directly involved in this specific program, the blog resonated with me on the universal necessity of mentorship. My own experiences with networking within my domain have shown me the significant impact that mentorship can have in overcoming barriers and fostering growth. This parallels the blog's message about the power of support and guidance in shaping doctoral students' futures.
Yet, I recognize that my journey has been different in that I have not encountered the same gender-based challenges that many women face in the STEM field. The blog has been a reminder of the recurring systemic issues and the intensified struggles women in academics still face, particularly during and after the pandemic. It's a clear indication that there is much more to be done to ensure gender equity.
I'd like to extend the conversation to the INFORMS community: How can we all contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment in our fields? Are there other instances where mentorship has proven to be a critical factor in overcoming disparities?
I look forward to a meaningful conversation on these important issues.
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Abdullah Kazi
Student
UC Davis
Pleasanton CA
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