Breaking The Isolation: Building Your Search Support Network
September 09, 2025
by a professional in Houston, TX, USA
Self-funded search is ambitious, high-stakes, and lonely - especially for women used to leading and making decisions at a high level.
You’ve probably noticed: your usual networks don’t get it.
Friends, colleagues, mentors - they might care, but they weren’t built to navigate this unique journey with you.
Communities you find often approach ETA from a male perspective, focusing on tactics without addressing the mental, emotional, and nervous-system challenges of learning something entirely new while carrying risk and responsibility.
This workshop is designed to meet that gap.
It’s about:
- Naming the isolation that’s holding you back
- Understanding why the learning curve can feel overwhelming or trigger fight-or-flight responses
- Showing how the right kind of peer support can build your confidence, sharpen your judgment, and help you navigate search smarter
You’ll leave with:
- Language for what’s been holding you back so you can talk about it openly
- Actionable strategies for building a support network that works for you
- A preview of the Clarity Collective — a space where women in search can explore options, clarify their path, and make decisions with confidence
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Portland, OR, USA