Don't Lose Your Seat at the Next Lean In Together Group

Remind me again…what exactly is Lean In Together?

Lean in Together are small groups of staff who come together regularly to lean on each other. Whether you’re looking for support navigating change, or want help charting a unique career path, Lean In Together is a great space to give and get advice, and to support each other at work and beyond.

“We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.” - Sheryl Sandberg, business executive, billionaire and philanthropist.

SERC is launching four Lean In Together groups across the College. Each group will have a maximum of 12 members and will meet for 1-hour a month online or on campus. Last year SERC Lean In groups met monthly to share experiences and support each other. Some of the feedback received from members included the following:

• “I thought it was really fun. I thoroughly enjoyed each meeting.”
• “It really helped me have a more positive outlook each time we meet”
• “Amazing programme… Great to gain so many new friends that form a network that will support each other.”

Take the first step today and contact one of the groups listed so that you can Lean In.

Lean In to Share is for all new staff at SERC, formed to create a community of support particularly for those who have joined SERC during the pandemic. The first meeting will take place online on Friday 11th February 2022. Please contact Elaine Snoddy (esnoddy@serc.ac.uk) or Elaine McKeown (emckeown@serc.ac.uk) for further details.

Lean In Downpatrick has been formed to grow the Downpatrick community by creating a tight knit group to support each other. This group is open to all staff and will meet on campus in Downpatrick. The first meeting is scheduled for 2nd February 2022. Please contact Elaine Bradley (ebradley@serc.ac.uk) for further details.

Lean In Busy Lives has been formed to support members with busy lives and young families who are trying to find a balance. The group is open to all staff and will meet online. Please contact Michael Holmes (mholmes@sec.ac.uk) or Owen Parkes (oparkes@serc.ac.uk) for full details of the first meeting scheduled for 23rd February 2022.

Lean In Women in STEM is a female friendly group open to all staff and students of all genders who understand the barriers to females in STEM subjects and can provide support and a networking opportunity to discuss how we might effect change in this area. Women make up just 21% of the UK’s STEM workforce, with the lowest representations in engineering and computer science. The first meeting is scheduled for 2nd March 2022 and will take place online. Please contact Aine McGreeghan (amcgreeghan@serc.ac.uk) or Karen Orme (korme@serc.ac.uk) for further details.