Thriving Elements: Empowering Young Women in STEM through Mentorship and Community
Thriving Elements, founded by Janet T. Phan, is making a remarkable impact in the realm of STEM education by addressing the urgent need for representation and opportunities for underserved women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a first-generation Vietnamese-American and daughter of refugees, Janet’s personal journey has been characterized by resilience and mentorship, fueling her vision to create a supportive network for young women eager to explore STEM fields. By leveraging the power of guidance and community, Thriving Elements empowers its mentees to not only navigate their own paths but also to become mentors themselves, fostering a cycle of support and inspiration.
Poised to expand its reach and further develop its programs, Thriving Elements connects young women with dedicated STEM professionals who guide them through crucial stages of personal and career growth. Currently supporting 82 mentee-mentor pairs across various regions, our latest small grant recipient focuses on high school students who aspire to pursue STEM careers, ensuring they cultivate long-term relationships with their mentors. Through Thriving Elements, Janet Phan is not only paving pathways for young women in STEM but also fostering a global community ready to confront the gender disparities that persist in these vital fields.
Kars4Kids: Tell us a bit about yourself, Janet. What led you to found Thriving Elements? What was your vision?
Janet T. Phan: As a first-generation Vietnamese-American, my journey has been one of resilience and determination. Growing up as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, I faced challenges navigating higher education and male-dominated industries as a first-generation college student. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Washington and built a career working with companies like Boeing, Microsoft, PwC, and Amazon where I saw firsthand the lack of women in STEM fields.
I was fortunate to have mentors who guided me along the way, and their support inspired me to start Thriving Elements. Thriving Elements is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating access and opportunities for underserved, underrepresented women in STEM through mentoring. Through the program, we connect young women with mentors who can guide, inspire, and equip them to explore and dive deep into areas STEM they’re interested in.
The vision is to develop and empower young women leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to make a sustainable impact in their communities and inspire the next generation of young women. Meaning our mentees who go through the program come back to be STEM mentors!
Kars4Kids: How would you describe the typical Thriving Element mentee? What sector do you serve? What are their ages? How many students are currently participating in your programs?
Janet T. Phan: The typical Thriving Elements mentee is a young woman with a desire to pursue a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) (or at least curious about exploring what STEM is) from an underserved, underrepresented background who may face systemic barriers such as lack of guidance, resources, or representation. Our mentees are often first-generation college students, on free/reduced lunch, in underserved communities, and eager to grow both personally and professionally with the support of dedicated STEM mentors.
We seek students interested in STEM spanning multiple sectors and industries because STEM is embedded in all businesses.
Our mentees start in the program anywhere between middle to high school (12-18 years old) and maintain their 1:1 STEM mentor throughout college and into the first few years of their STEM careers. This allows for continuity of support and to make sure our mentees are set up for success when starting in their STEM careers.
Currently, we have 82 mentee mentor pairs participating in our program across various regions, and we continue to expand to reach more young women looking to build confidence, skills, and pathways to leadership in STEM. We operate across the U.S., Switzerland (with mentors also in the U.K. and Germany), and Botswana.
Kars4Kids: Why was it important that Thriving Elements be global?
Janet T. Phan: Thriving Elements needs to be global because the gender disparity in STEM fields is a global concern. Women in STEM lack representation, access, and opportunities. A global program allows us to connect mentors and mentees across borders, foster diverse collaboration and expand access. By reaching young women worldwide, we bridge the gender disparity by building a pipeline of confident leaders who drive innovation and thrive on a global scale.
Kars4Kids: Thriving Elements connects high school students with STEM professionals for long-term relationships, according to a set curriculum. Can you list some of their fields of discipline for us, please? There must be a lot of them!
Janet T. Phan: Our mentees are connected with STEM professionals across a wide range of disciplines. Some of the key fields include:
- Medical
- Architecture
- Environmental science
- Software Engineering & Computer Science
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences
- Environmental Science & Sustainability
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Aerospace Engineering
- Robotics & Automation
- Information Systems & IT Management
And the list continues to grow! By connecting mentees with professionals in such diverse fields, we help them explore opportunities, gain real-world insights, and build a foundation for successful careers in STEM.
Kars4Kids: How does Thriving Elements define “long-term” in relation to its mentorship program?
Janet T. Phan: Thriving Elements defines “long-term” as a mentorship relationship that lasts for a minimum of 3 years, with the goal of building a strong, meaningful connection over time. Our mentor-mentee pairs continue their relationships beyond college, providing consistent guidance, support, and opportunities for growth as mentees progress through high school, college, and into their early careers. This long-term approach ensures mentees receive sustained support to thrive both personally and professionally.
Kars4Kids: What do you look for in STEM professionals when assessing potential Thriving Elements team members?
Janet T. Phan: When assessing potential Thriving Elements team members, we look for STEM professionals who are not only highly skilled in their fields but also passionate about mentorship and developing the next generation of STEM leaders. Key qualities include:
- Commitment to empowering young women: A genuine desire to support and uplift underserved, underrepresented communities in STEM.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to build trust and connect with mentees.
- Experience in STEM: A solid background in a specific STEM discipline to provide valuable guidance and insights.
- Dedication to long-term relationships: A willingness to invest time and energy in sustained mentorship.
- Advocacy for diversity and inclusion: A shared vision of creating equitable opportunities for all women in STEM.
These qualities help ensure that our mentors are not only knowledgeable but also motivated to make a positive, lasting impact on the next generation of STEM leaders.
Kars4Kids: How does Thriving Elements match mentors and mentees? What’s your matching process? Are there sometimes “bad matches,” and if so, how is this handled?
Janet T. Phan: At Thriving Elements, we match mentors and mentees based on a combination of professional interests, personality traits, and personal goals. Our process starts with an application and interview process where prospective mentors and mentees provide information about their backgrounds, career aspirations, and preferences for mentorship. Once selected, our mentees and mentors participate in a speed networking session, where they have the chance to meet potential matches and provide feedback on who they’d like to be paired with. We, then, carefully pair them based on alignment in these areas, ensuring that both have the potential to build a strong, supportive relationship.
While we strive for the best matches, we recognize that sometimes a mismatch may occur. If either the mentor or mentee feels that the relationship isn’t a good fit, we encourage open communication to address concerns. If necessary, we will reassign a new mentor or mentee to ensure the individual’s needs are met. Our goal is to maintain a positive and productive mentorship experience, and we are committed to ensuring that each participant feels supported in their journey.
Kars4Kids: How often do mentors and mentees meet? Can you give us an overview of the Thriving Elements curriculum?
Janet T. Phan: Mentors and mentees in the Thriving Elements program meet according to the following schema:
1st year in the program one hour every month
2nd year in the program one hour every other month
3rd year in the program one hour every quarter
(After the 3rd year meetings are at the discretion of mentees and mentors.)
The curriculum focuses on:
- Goal Setting & Personal Development: Building confidence and growth.
- STEM Career Exploration: Exposing mentees to various STEM fields.
- Skill Development: Enhancing both technical and soft skills.
- Networking & Professional Growth: Preparing for internships, resumes, and interviews.
- Ongoing Reflection & Feedback: Ensuring continuous learning and improvement.
This structure empowers mentees to thrive in their STEM exploration, career and personal growth.
Kars4Kids: Can you give over a Thriving Elements success story for us, please?
Janet T. Phan: Halle was a freshman with a passion for computer science, and was paired with a mentor working at a leading tech company. Halle comes from a low-income single-parent household and joined Thriving Elements in 2019. Throughout their mentorship, Halle received hands-on guidance, developed her technical skills, and gained valuable insights into potential career paths. Her mentor also helped her prepare for college applications by reviewing personal essays and assisting her in clarifying her academic and career goals. Halle credits her mentor for the support and confidence that empowered her to pursue her dreams in STEM. Halle is now working in a STEM field, technology! Something she never thought was possible before.
Kars4Kids: What’s next for Thriving Elements?
Janet T. Phan: Thriving Elements is focused on expanding its global network, offering more workshops and resources to build skills, and creating new partnerships for internships. We aim to continue promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM while tracking the long-term success of our mentees. Our mission is to develop and empower young women to become leaders in STEM to inspire the next generation of leaders worldwide.