Uncategorized - Renaissance Woman Consulting LLC

NOAA's 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook shown in a pie chart with an 85% chance of above normal activity. Named storms are predicted to be 17-25, hurricanes 8-13 and major hurricanes 4-7.

The Meteorologist’s Paradox

How are meteorologists feeling right now? Honestly, their feelings are mixed. I speak as a former TV meteorologist long out of “the biz” but still connected via social media with many on air, at the National Weather Service, and involved in research and teaching. Before this hurricane season began, researchers predicted that the 2024 Atlantic

Moms Deserve a BREAK!

Can this just stop already?!? Moms (and caregivers in general) deserve a break! Three days ago I celebrate the 8th anniversary of birthing day (my name for my children’s birthdays). After almost 40 hours of labor, my husband and I welcomed our first child into the world 8 years ago. And suffice it to say,

Sara smiles wearing her Peppermint Patty costume and makeup with flowers in her hand.. She stands between her parents, their arms draped around each other.

Acing the Interview: Pt 2 Time to Improvise

I have a weird confession: I get really excited when I have a job interview. But I know exactly why…because I love improvising. I always loved imaginative play with my friends, whether it was dolls, stuffed animals or pretending to be super heroes. My mom still has cassette tapes of 9-year-old Sara pretending to host

Acing the Job Interview, Pt. 1

In my last newsletter, I discussed how to prepare for a job interview by “unpacking your skillset suitcase” in the form of stories that show you have the skills needed for a position (show, don’t tell). I recommended you practice sharing those stories out loud with a trusted friend or family member to gain confidence.

Sara stands in front of her laptop which displays a Zoom meeting sign-in page. She's wearing a blue shirt with the chemical compound for serotonin on it that says, "be happy". She's giving a look to the camera that indicates "this is what you're getting, take it or leave it".

I Speak Up

Warning: I am a professional squeaky wheel and feather ruffler. As an extrovert, I’m willing to advocate for others when there is an issue. This is especially true when I’m involved in conversations around a topic I feel is important. I have been criticized for “talking out of turn” and “not respecting hierarchy” in the

The word "stakeholder" crossed out with a red "x" and a swirling circle around it.

“Stakeholder” has a problem

I’m one of those people who, once I hear that a term is problematic, I am constantly noticing it in what I’m reading, hearing and saying (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, as a Midwesterner it is SO hard to get rid of the phrase “you guys” from my vocabulary, but I

Circle with the outside in blue and the inside in green. White text around the perimeter reads "I took the pledge. I stand with girls." On the inside it says "STEM Together" @ngcproject and the "o" in together is a spiral.

Girls in STEM – From Pledging Support to Taking Action

I have to be honest, I’m frustrated about progress when it comes to girls in STEM, which I’ve been actively involved with for more than 2 decades. 👩‍🔬 Almost 20 years ago I became a trainer with SciGirls. ☁ Before that, I was a STEM role model as a female TV meteorologist. ➕ Even earlier,

Images of dollar bills cut smaller and smaller, showing lower amounts different groups are paid than men.

Equal Pay Day (but not entirely)

I missed Equal Pay Day a coupe weeks ago (March 12), but like many women, this day isn’t accurate for me. Wait! You’re a white cis-gender woman…how can this be??? This date roughly represents how much longer U. S. women as a whole need to work in order to receive pay equal to men. I

Yes…And…

It’s the day after #InternationalWomensDay, and on LinkedIn I read and shared a significant amount of valid push back against it early in the day. But as I mulled it over, I came to a realization that I needed a more expansive response. I’m drawing from an improv technique where you take what your fellow