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Book and Brew Review: Collaborating in Competitive Ecosystems

by Two Aspiring STEM Women: Sydney Ricks and Stephanie Grover


On April 21, 2024, we, Syd and Steph, hosted a memorable Book & Brew Review at Coffeeholics on behalf of Ashley Cheung at Virtual Patent Gateway. Ashley has started her CoffeeCollab and BobaCollab series as part of her community engagement and book promotion efforts. When she challenged us to be the facilitators for this Book & Brew, the response was a resounding YES. We did not realize how much we would learn and enjoy the process. It is our pleasure to share our reflections on this event, which turned out to be a remarkable success and an invaluable learning experience.


The cozy and welcoming atmosphere at Coffeeholics set the perfect stage for our discussion. The ambiance was instrumental in making everyone feel comfortable, encouraging open and candid conversations. We were grateful to Ashley Cheung, our mentor and the author of Collaborating in Competitive Ecosystems, for guiding us through the review and facilitation process.


We are lucky we have a working relationship where we can be honest with her and learn through her experiences.


A special shoutout to Coffeeholics for their hospitality and for such an inviting environment.


Guests of the Book and Brew Review

Below is our reflection:


Syd’s Reflection: Our Book & Brew Review was not just a discussion but an engaging and enlightening experience. The chance to converse casually yet meaningfully with peers on serious topics was incredibly rewarding. Hearing everyone's experiences and challenges fostered thought-provoking discussions and moments of relatability and clarity. Personally, the topic of People Pleasing resonates deeply with me. Sharing my story and listening to others was empowering, reinforcing the idea that we are all on a journey of learning and growth. These conversations among peers are not only reassuring but also enlightening, as they offer new perspectives and insights.


Steph’s Reflection: Co-leading the Book & Brew Review with Sydney was a new and enriching experience for me. I had never facilitated a book discussion before, and the event exceeded my expectations. From the moment I read Collaborating in Competitive Ecosystems, I knew its messages and themes were perfect for our college audience, especially as we prepare to enter the workforce. We aimed to discuss challenges like people-pleasing and FOMO (fear of missing out), and the coffee shop setting added a layer of comfort and inspiration. It was reassuring to learn that we all struggle with similar issues and can support each other in overcoming them. During the discussion, the book's themes of teamwork and collaboration came to life. It became evident that to succeed in competitive environments, we need to uplift each other. I am grateful for this experience and thankful to everyone who made it possible.


Together, this event highlighted the importance of peer support and collaboration as we transition from college to the professional world. It reinforced the notion that while the journey might be challenging, having a supportive community makes it manageable and rewarding. As a bonus, we also learn the intricacies of event planning and self-advocacy. We knew that was Ashley’s intention when she challenged us to this Book & Brew. As we find our place in our respective workplaces, we look forward to applying these facilitation skills and discussions in the future.

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