The myths and realities of being a woman in STEMM
Women aren’t as good at math as men.
WRONG!
There is no evidence to suggest that men are better at math and science than women. In fact, studies have shown that girls perform just as well as boys in math and science in early education.
Women aren’t as interested in STEMM subjects as men.
WRONG!
Many girls and women are as interested in STEMM fields as any of their male-counterparts, however they do face obstacles and discrimination when pursuing these careers.
Are you ready for some truth about women in STEMM?
Although STEMM fields have traditionally been male-dominated, there are many women breaking down barriers and excelling in these industries. In fact, we are thrilled to feature the stories of eight incredible women who are already thriving in STEMM careers.
They will share their experiences, debunk some common misconceptions, and explain why gender equity is crucial in these fields.
Hannah Cable (she/her), Vice President New Product Development at Abcam.
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
The myth that they are on an equal footing with peers of male gender. They are not (yet). It is important to be aware there is still work to do.
Georgia Manthey (she/her), Integration Engineer at Ericsson.
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
A common myth that still exists is, “the battle for gender equality in STEMM disciplines is over”.
Women are still underrepresented in the STEMM fields, largely in engineering and computer science – thus the battle is not over. The gender gap in STEMM persists due to false perceptions about women’s aptitude, their interests in STEMM, and the lack of support or confidence to pursue these fields.
To get more women into these industries, it is important to acknowledge these existing barriers to entry. Understanding these barriers will help organizations shape their strategic plans to increase diversity and develop positive role-models.
Tracy Davenport (she/her), General Manager – Automation Hub, Operations at nbn
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
When it comes to working in technology, many assume the ability to code is a requirement. What is in demand are portable skills and knowledge that are ultra-useful.
At the start of my career, I worked in a customer contact centre. I learnt a lot about the telco industry, business processes and customers. Things like the customer activation, assurance, and billing processes. I understood how technology interacts with those processes. I learnt how to really listen with empathy. I was successful in gaining my first role as a business analyst/product designer in IT. I knew about users’ needs, their goals and pain points. I provided invaluable insights to help improve the customer experience.
Veronica Patterson (she/her), Technical Solution Specialist at Cisco
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
That gender affects how much we can like a career in technology.
Alexia Trolliet (she/her), Technical Project Manager at Exa Product Development
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
Being in tech is not only about having an unwavering passion for a specific discipline and sticking to it for your entire career. While that could be your path, there are also plenty of opportunities to explore related domains or roles if you have a general interest in technology.
For example, if you’re not ready to commit to a specific discipline, you could study or work in mechatronics (a mix of electronics, mechanical and software engineering), or biomedical engineering. These are great as they give you a solid technical background while keeping your options open, providing you with broad experience and time to explore what ‘floats your boat’.
There are also a lot of exciting tech careers that don’t involve staying in front of a computer designing products, like field application engineer or technical sales representative.
Alexia Trolliet (she/her), Technical Project Manager at Exa.
Lia Donaldson (she/her), Senior Manager, Industry X at Accenture
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
I feel that a lot of people believe that careers in STEMM revolve solely around the use of math and science and that you’ll limit the opportunity open to you by the degree that you’ve studied.
My experience in this field has been the opposite of this. I’ve found that pursuing a career in STEMM has pushed me to build a broad and flexible skill base that leverages and needs both analytical and creative thinking skills. Further to this, I’ve found that organizations (from engineering, finance, products, and many others) appreciate the out-of-the-box thinking that STEMM instils as they look for individuals to grow their teams and business capabilities.
Noriko Wood (she/her), Senior Project Engineer at Fulton Hogan
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
Before I worked in the industry, I thought it would be hard working in a male-dominated environment – but I have been surprised! My experience working as an engineer is that it is an industry filled with caring people who look after one another.
Nivedita Kang (she/her), Head of Technology for Woolworths Group
What’s one myth you think needs to be busted to get more women into STEMM?
That you’ll always be able to plan your direction. When I think about my past self, it was so difficult to see the road ahead. Even though I set goals for my life and career during university, I’m lucky I had parents who guided me. They encouraged me to try new things and take a computer science course.
This article originally appeared on WORK180.com
Want to learn more? Reach out to Exa Product Development — contact or connect with us!
