This International Women’s Day, we’ve spotlighted several inspirational women role models in STEM and we’re sharing their words of wisdom about how to #InspireInclusion in STEM.
Women have long been underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, making up less than 30% of the STEM workforce and a lack of inclusion in STEM plays a huge role in that statistic.
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we improve women’s lives and when young women are partnered with mentors, they feel supported, acknowledged, and included. Role models assist in retaining women in STEM, encouraging young women and girls to go into STEM fields, and keeping them engaged. In turn, celebrating and highlighting successful women in STEM forms a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
We caught up with the following influential women in STEM to ask them their #WISEWords of advice.
Let’s reveal their answers:
Beth Clarke, DevOps Specialist, ROSEN and former WISE YPB Member.
What’s the one thing organisations can do to inspire inclusion in STEM?
Keep the conversation around inclusion alive by fostering a safe and open environment where people can speak up around issues like pay, periods, mental health, career paths and education. This could be done through forming a Women’s Network, or another staff committee, or educating staff through training sessions. Ensuring these topics are kept at the forefront of their mind when speaking to others and making decisions at work helps inclusion become a part of everyday life, rather than an afterthought.
What’s your top tip for a girl or woman considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
Find your people! It’s very easy to feel alone when venturing into a STEM career, and this can worsen feelings of imposter syndrome or fear. There are loads of people out there who want to support and empower you! Join a STEM community or find yourself a mentor – it will change your life.
What advice would you give to your younger self at the beginning of your career?
Just turning up to work isn’t good enough. Once you get through the doors, you need to deliver and produce quality work (let your work do the talking). Never under estimate the power of networking. Connect with decision/policy makers and ensure they influence your progression within the organization (your career champions/cheer leaders.
Farai Mwashita CEng IMechE, Award Winner/International Projects Engineer/ Co-Chair of Women’s Network at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) EMEA Financial Services
Helen Townend, Head of Inclusion and Social Value at Amey Consulting and a finalist for the WISE STEM Leadership Award 2024.
What advice would you give your to younger self?
Specialise in your passions, you will find it easy to become the expert in the room!
What is one thing you wish employers knew to make working as a woman in STEM more inclusive?
We may tackle problems differently, but are capable to enhance success and should be treated as equals .
What’s the one thing organisations can do to inspire inclusion in STEM?
Organisations can create a positive culture by promoting inclusive decision making at all levels of the organisation.
What’s your top tip for a girl or woman considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
My top tip is to network and make those connections who will help to support you on your career journey.
– Frida Nzaba, Senior Consultant, Capgemini Invent
What’s the one thing organisations can do to inspire inclusion in STEM?
Share openly about their volunteering days available for their staff. Most of colleagues I have worked with over the years were not even aware that the organisation offers volunteering days where they can choose to volunteer at their local schools, churches or community centres to help raise more awareness of STEM for the youth. If more people did this across various organisation then it would inspire inclusion from a variety of people in the communities.
What’s your top tip for a girl or woman considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
Undertake an apprenticeship, it does not matter how old you are! This will open your eyes to the areas of STEM you like and do not like, which will ultimately lead to a successful career you enjoy because you have been exposed to multiple roles within STEM organisations.
What’s the one thing organisations can do to inspire inclusion in STEM?
Show real inclusive and representative role models in a variety of STEM related careers. Showcasing the job they do, why they’re instrumental in that role, why they love the role and how they’ve paved the way for the younger generation.
What’s your top tip for a girl or woman considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
Go for it! Because the opportunities are endless. A STEM related career has no two days the same, it can be challenging but so rewarding. Break the stereotype and champion females in STEM careers.
Jesie Dyos, Water Production Manager, Thames Water and current WISE Young Professionals Board Member.
Vera Jones, Global Technical Authority for Water Quality, AtkinsRéalis and a finalist for the Outstanding Woman in Science WISE award 2024.
What is one thing you wish employers could change to make working as a woman in STEM more inclusive?
Fortunately there have been huge improvements throughout the STEM sector in the last 5-10 years, making it a much more inclusive environment than it was before. However there is much more we can do – for example giving women fair access to opportunities to showcase their work and network at conferences & industry events, creating the right conditions for women to progress to senior technical roles, and ensuring transparency of routes for promotion to leadership positions in organisations.
What advice would you give to your younger self at the beginning of your career?
I am overall happy with my career choices, and I think everyone has a unique career journey, which is not always linear. I would encourage, however, my younger self to have a stronger belief in my abilities and not shy away from voicing my views in meetings.