Testimonials of COACh Participants

COACh has transformed the world for many women scientists. Seriously. Nearly all of the senior women in chemistry that I know have been to at least one workshop. We have learned to use one another to strategize for improved conditions for women scientists. We share data across institutions in ways that we wouldn't have without COACh's lessons.

COACh is a fabulous program that gives women the tools they needs to be successful in the workplace, which undervalues their contributions.

COACH was great, thank you for including me!

I have used techniques I learned in the workshop to manage conflict and build collaborations.

Coach helped me to feel connected to other women in science. I have always traveled a "lone" road and have had trouble finding supportive voices for my career path. Coach helped me and I appreciate being able to fill out this survey. Even doing this reminds me that I am connected to the effort to promote women's equality. Role models are few and far between. 

Coach taught me how to think about and approach a problem and how to offer a solution.  I took the course several years ago but still remember this technique.  It has been very helpful.

I felt empowered by my COACh experiences.  My views on many important career aspects were broadened by both the content and the participants.  I think the structure is pretty effective.

I have nothing but positive things to say about these workshops.  I have learned quite a bit each time that I have gone (twice).

Basically, COACh taught me how to deal with bullies.  I learned that there is not one single path for a solution; instead a multi-prong set of approaches leaves me well-prepared for the grenades that are launched my way.  Sometimes I feel like Wonder Woman, fending off bullets with my wrist bands.  COACh taught me some new ways to use those wrist bands.  This frees up my time to science, which was my goal in the first place.

My experiences with COACh were completely positive.  Being in a room full of other women scientists with the purpose of discussing strategies for success gave me a whole new arsenal for maneuvering my professional goals.  I am a big fan.  

The lessons I've learned were quite valuable when I was negotiating my new position. I've shared these with a number of junior colleagues.  I've also shared a number of the communication strategies with graduate students - both mine and more broadly during graduate student orientation for the department.

The women running the workshop were very knowledgeable and specific in their advice.

I tend to be less aggressive than most men, and that is what has held me back in many cases, including salary. After a long time of my salary being many thousands of dollars less than lesser performing male colleagues I decided to try to pursue salary rises to address that. COACh helped me to get me in my efforts to address that. It did take several years of raises but finally I am very close to the salary of male colleagues.

Without question, participating in COACh has empowered and encouraged me to advance my career.  It provide me with tools and insight that I did not have.

I think that networking is extremely important to get a variety of perspectives on career aspirations and obstacles. 

I have recently attended COACh workshops with graduate students, and I think that the negotiation and communication skills workshops are just great for them.

I think the workshops were great ways to learn new skills, understand my own predicament, and get insight to other workplace situations and to connect with other women in the sciences.

Every time I attend a COACh workshop I leave invigorated. 

Thank you for providing women from around the world this opportunity.

Without question, participating in COACh has empowered and encouraged me to advance my career.  It provide me with tools and insight that I did not have.

My experiences with COACh were completely positive.  Being in a room full of other women scientists with the purpose of discussing strategies for success gave me a whole new arsenal for maneuvering my professional goals.  I am a big fan.  

Invaluable in helping me with strategy and tactics for salary increase!

My experiences with COACh occurred several years ago at a time in my life when I didn't even recognize just how much I was lacking in self-esteem and confidence and how that was affecting the quality of my work and life, in general. The glimpse into this self-recognition given to me partly by attending these workshops has led to a major life transformation. Learning to actually "listen", stay detached (personally) and respond has been my best uncovered skill.