Is this course for you?

Are you struggling with navigating subtle or overt bias, harassment, or discrimination? Are these situations causing your health, confidence, and work performance to suffer? Do you wish you had resources, skills, knowledge, and a mindset for overcoming these obstacles to reach win-win outcomes that propel your personal growth and professional career? If you answered yes to any of these qustions, The STEM Thrive Guides are specially designed for you!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1 : Welcome

  • 2

    Chapter 2: Reflection on Past Experiences

    • 2.1 Reflection on Previous Experiences: Reflection Guide
  • 3

    Chapter 3: Information on Bias, Harassment, and Discrimination

    • 3.1 Education on Harassment

    • 3.2 Legal Definitions

    • 3.2.1 Legal Definitions Questionnaire

    • 3.3 Why Do We Face Harassment and Discrimination at Work and School

    • 3.3.1 Exercise: Literature Search

    • 3.3.2 Literature Search Questionnaire

    • 3.4 Addressing Harassment and Discrimination at Work and School

    • 3.4.1 Additional Organizations and Programs Questionnaire

    • 3.4.2 Exercise: Analyzing Diversity and Inclusion Programs

    • 3.4.3 Exercise: Analyzing Diversity and Inclusion Programs Questionnaire

    • 3.5 Optional Reading: Of Crabs and Tall Poppies

  • 4

    Chapter 4: Self-Care and Emotional Intelligence

    • 4.1 Self-Care and Emotional Intelligence

    • 4.1.1 Self-Care - Part 1

    • 4.1.2 Self-Care Part - 2

    • 4.1.3 Emotional Intelligence

    • 4.2 Self-Care Exercise

    • 4.3 Historical Perspectives

    • 4.4 Exercise: You are Significant
  • 5

    Chapter 5: How to Navigate Bias, Harassment, and Discrimination

    • 5.1 Harassment Scenarios: Introduction

    • 5.2 The Resilience Mindset and Reporting Framework

    • 5.2.1 Scenario 1: Jokes Can Be Harassment

    • 5.2.2 Scenario 2: Sexist Remarks are Harassment

    • 5.2.3 Scenario 3: Bias: Genuine Praise or Low Expectations

    • 5.2.4 Scenario 4: Using a Witness to Report Harassment

    • 5.2.5 Scenario 5: Subtle Harassment is Dangerous

    • 5.2.6 Scenario 6: You were Born to Stand Out!

    • 5.2.7 Scenario 7: Navigating Harassment Not Linked to Protected Categories

    • 5.2.8 Scenario 8: Reporting Harassment from Clients or Vendors at Work

    • 5.3 Resources for Reporting

    • 5.4 Exercise: Know Your Resources for Reporting Harassment

    • 5.4.1 Reflection

    • 5.5 Documenting Harassment

    • 5.5.1 Documenting Harassment

    • 5.6 Secret Tips for Reporting Harassment

    • 5.7 Chapter 5 Quiz!
  • 6

    Chapter 6: Developing Professional Relationships

    • 6.1 Developing Professional Relationships

    • 6.1.1 Interview Questions for an Advisor or Boss

    • 6.2 Johari Window

    • 6.2.1 Johari Window Exercise

    • 6.3 Emotional Labor
  • 7

    Chapter 7: Gaslighting in STEM

    • 7.1 Gaslighting in STEM: Introduction

    • 7.1.1 Gaslighting in STEM

    • 7.2 Exercise: Workplace Surveys Evaluation

    • 7.2.1 Workplace Surveys Questionnaire

    • 7.3 Exercise: Identifying Supportive Programs at Your Organization
  • 8

    Chapter 8: Reflection & Wrap-up

    • 8.1 Exercise: Putting it all Together

    • 8.2 End of Course Reflection

    • 8.3 Congratulations!

FAQ

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is for graduate students and early-career professionals who wish to grow confidence in and learn how to navigate bias, harassment, and discrimination at work/school. Because of the instructor's area of expertise, this course is best suited for people who are studying or working a field related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), though the concepts learned can be applied to any situation involving navigating bias, harassment, microaggressions, or discrimination. (If you are in your mid or late career and still struggle with bias, harassment, and discrimination, this course can still apply to you though it speaks to an early-career audience.)

  • How long does it take to complete the course?

    Once you purchase the course, you have access to it indefinitely. This means you can go through this course at your own pace. However, note that you will only receive the list of verified mentors and coaches once you complete the program.

  • The price is a bit too much for me. Can I get a discount?

    This course is valued as an investment in your career and is priced accordingly. How to navigate bias, harassment, and discrimination is a valuable skillset. There are other courses available at lower price-points that provide great information to get you started in your learning. If you purchase the mini-course (Parts 1-4), you will receive a discount code for $75 off this program. Your free option is to join the email list for resources! (See link on home page of this website.) While I would like to offer scholarships one day, for now in the early-stages I do not have the means to do so.

Meet the Instructor

Founder

Jill Pestana

Hi! I'm Jill Pestana. If you had told me 12 years ago that I would create the first course on how to navigate bias, harassment, and discrimination at work and school, I would not believe you. At that time, I was a physics major who had big goals of one day working on cutting-edge research. To reach that goal, I naively thought I only needed technical skills. Looking back, now I can tell you that to reach my dream job of working as a Senior Scientist and thriving in my career required transforming my mindset and learning a variety of soft skills in order to be resilient through bias, harassment, and discrimination. I founded The STEM Thrive Guides to educate and empower people experiencing bias, harassment, and discrimination so that they can navigate these difficult situations with confidence and thrive in their career. Everything I teach in this course, I have learned through navigating difficult situations at work and school over the last 12 years of my career in physics and engineering as an undergraduate student, graduate student, intern, and early-career professional. Suffering through physical and mental illness as a result of harassment in work environments taught me invaluable lessons that I share in this course in order to help others see the big picture and learn how to navigate difficult situations. I believe navigating bias, harassment, and discrimination is a valuable skillset, essential for reaching career success. For more information, you can find me here: https://jillpestana.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillpestana/