The Women in Allergy Committee promotes involvement and adequate representation of female allergists in the College’s activities, committees and leadership.
ACAAI Women in Allergy Committee’s Resource Guide
The committee is working on a Resource Guide – a document with tips on various topics of interest to women allergists. Topics include:
- ACAAI Annual Meeting
- Childcare
- Contract negotiations
- Leadership
- Mentorship
- Work/Life balance
- Working from home
Members of the Women in Allergy Committee will be hosting Zoom chats on each topic.
Child care
Women in Medicine often face unique challenges when it comes to balancing parenthood and the demands of their profession. When it comes to child care, it takes careful planning for parents to balance work and parental responsibilities.
The Women in Allergy Resource Guide section on child care has been updated to include key takeaways from the recent “Breaking the Mold” Zoom chat.
Contract Negotiations
Contract negotiations are important in making sure a prospective new job is a good fit mutually.
There are some key steps to get the most from contract negotiations:
- Get an expert to help you.
- Determine what is most important to you.
- Advocate for yourself while being respectful and reasonable.
- If it is not written in the contract, it is not in the contract.
- Read your contract (multiple times) and make sure you understand everything before signing.
Key factors besides salary to consider before signing a contract for employment include schedule flexibility, commutes to clinic locations, vacation times, and benefits.
The Women in Allergy Resource Guide section on contract negotiations has been updated to include key takeaways from the recent “Breaking the Mold” Zoom chat.
Annual Meeting
The ACAAI Annual Meeting provides a unique opportunity for women allergists for professional education and networking. We’ve got tips on how to make the most of the meeting!
Read the entire section in the Resource Guide on the Annual Meeting.
Mentoring
Members of the Women in Allergy Committee are hosting Zoom chats – called “Breaking the Mold” on each topic. The call in July was on mentoring.
Women in medicine often hear about developing a professional relationship with a mentor. A mentor can provide guidance, support, advice, and help you make informed decisions as you navigate your career. A mentor can also help you build your professional network. A mentor can help you navigate any challenges or setbacks. Overall, a mentor can be a major resource for continued growth and development – both personally and professionally.
What are the basics in trying to choose a mentor? Think about:
- What makes a good mentor? Someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in their field, approachable, respectful of your goals, supportive, patient, and flexible.
- How often should I meet with my mentor? The frequency of meetings may vary, based on your needs and goals.
- Are there benefits to being a mentor? Mentors can improve their leadership, communication, and active listening skills
The Women in Allergy Resource Guide section on Mentorship has been updated to include key takeaways from the “Breaking the Mold” Zoom chat.
