If She Can See It, She Can Be It
Girl Scout Shane Woods believes girls need to see brilliant women being brilliant, so they can imagine themselves being and doing brilliant things too. Shane is one of the mentors at our Women’s Leadership Summit March 8th in Nashville!
Visit the website to register and tune in☝️for our special International Women’s Day celebration. Check out our interview with Shane????below!
PLAY LIKE A GIRL: Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
SHANE WOODS: I serve as the Senior Director of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas STEM Center of Excellence, which is a 92-acre living laboratory where girls of all ages can explore and develop their competence and confidence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. My job allows me to play an integral part in helping Girl Scouts know that they can change the workforce pipeline in STEM through their voice, engagement, and leadership in the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy. I am also involved in advancing the efforts of the STEM community as an active member of several local, state, and national education groups.
PLAG: Share a recent interaction with another woman or girl that you found inspiring.
SW: I recently sat on a diversity in camp staffing panel with Kyrah Altman who founded a social enterprise at the age of 16 and, while in college, won a venture competition that allowed her to formally establish her organization LEAD as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Kyrah’s dedication and determination to make the world a better place reminded me that no one is ever too young to make a difference and my work with youth is critical. As a Girl Scout employee, my work at The STEM Center of Excellence helps spark girls’ curiosity and gives them the courage, confidence, and character to be an agent of change.
PLAG: What difference would it have made for you to have had Play Like a Girl in your life as a girl or young woman?
SW: Play Like a Girl's programs would have exposed me to more career options than I had in the mid-1980s and 90s. To see women as founders, CEOs, and leaders in STEM makes a lasting impression on young minds. Had Play Like a Girl been in my life as a young girl, I’m certain I may have made different choices when selecting classes taken in high school and college as I would have had a much better understanding of the limitless possibilities for women in STEM.
PLAG: What does "ready for any field" mean to you?
SW: Ready for Any Field means having confidence in your own knowledge and skills and possessing a growth mindset which is necessary to perform at your highest capacity regardless of the assignment given to you.
PLAG: Why is sisterhood (or women supporting women) important to you?
SW: There is nothing like living life and sharing experiences with your sisterhood. It is all about quality and not quantity. Your sisters will be your loudest champions, they will walk with you during difficult times, listen when you have something on your mind to share, and they will sit in silence when you just need someone near. The humans you choose to bring into your sisterhood make every experience richer.
PLAG: How does mentorship from and collaboration with other women help you grow and learn?
SW: Gaining wisdom from those who have experienced what you are heading into or going through reinforces that life lessons are worth the effort. Getting their perspective can build your own confidence as well. Learning from others’ experiences allows you to avoid pitfalls they may have encountered. Sharing space with other women allows you to walk in confidence knowing you have women cheering you on as you reach new goals.
PLAG: What is the best piece of advice you've received from a woman role model, mentor or colleague?
SW: My executive coach recently told me to stop waiting for perfection, take the risk and focus on the progress I am making towards the goal I have set for myself. I do tend to wait for everything to be in order, which can lead to missed opportunities. I am doing better about trusting myself and having the courage to take that first step even if I don't have the complete plan. I can ask for help as needed and enjoy the lessons learned along the way.
PLAG: What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
SW: Just about every answer you have thought of in class after the teacher said the question was correct. You are brilliant, but no one knows that except you and that little voice in your head. Trust your gut and raise your hand.
PLAG: What advice do you have for younger girls who want to follow in your footsteps but may be afraid to ask for help (mentorship or guidance)?
SW: Explore academically. Take classes that interest you. Finding out what you do not like is just as important as learning what makes you want to know more. Seek out STEM women in careers you are interested in and follow them on social media. Ask what they did to get where they are. If you see it, you can be it. It is possible.
Connect with Shane on LinkedIn and join Play Like a Girl in our mission to build a diverse pipeline of women in STEM by encouraging girls that they can do anything and be #ReadyforAnyField. ⚡️
Win a chance to be mentored by game changing women in Nashville! Tell us how sport has prepared you to succeed in any field by submitting your original photos, videos or art via Instagram or Twitter using #ReadyforAnyField. No purchase necessary. Void in AK & HI and where prohibited. Open to legal residents of 48 contiguous US & DC. Starts 2/21/22; ends 2/28/22.
