The importance of female talent in STEM

ORGANISATIONS ARE INCREASINGLY UNDERSTANDING THAT DIVERSE TEAMS OUTPERFORM THEIR HOMOGENOUS COUNTERPARTS.

With diverse teams comes diverse perspectives, experiences, and knowledge, which in turn creates new opportunities to address the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges the world faces.

In this article, Carmen Fontana, IEEE Member and VP of Operations at Augment Therapy, looks at the importance of female talent in STEM; how representation starts from an early age; how to navigate hurdles and embrace change and her advice to women pursuing a career in tech.

Carmen works principally as the director of operations at Augment Therapy and specialises in innovation and data-driven decision making. She is an expert on Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and other emerging technology topics. Carmen has been featured in numerous publications including InformationWeek, Security Magazine, EdTech Magazine and IoT Agenda.

STARTING EARLY

Women encounter many barriers in the STEM field. For instance, there are far fewer women leading corporations than men. I am a big believer in “you can’t be what you can’t see.” When women do not see leaders that look like them, they are less likely to envision themselves as a future leader. One of the most impactful ways to develop future female leaders, is sponsorship. When those in positions of power, both male and female, invest and advocate for professional development, their female team members achieve more.

Exposing girls and young women to STEM careers early is another vital step, as it enables them to understand the real-world applications of subjects, such as maths, science and design and technology, and the career opportunities that these can lead to. It also gives them a chance to realise their passion, as there is no single pathway to a STEM-related career. Both women and men in leadership positions need to proactively share their experiences, celebrate the achievements female engineers and scientists, and motivate the pipeline of future female talent.

EMBRACING CHANGE

STEM careers are not easy. Science and technology are ever evolving fields, creating a pressure to “always keep up”, especially as a woman. Thus, it is important to skill yourself beyond technical knowledge, with soft skills that allow you to adapt. To succeed, you need to understand how to manage your time, communicate effectively (both written and oral), and how to lead others. And, throughout it all, keep a sense of humour and be excessively kind. Those traits will help you navigate whatever twists, turns and biases you encounter in your STEM career.

Science and technology changes, and so will you. Regularly take time to both reflect on your accomplishments and consider your future vision. As you gain exposure to new experiences, your goals may change – and that is okay! Adaptability is an important career trait. I have found some of my most fulfilling career experiences have come from capitalising on unexpected opportunities. That said, it is easy to get wrapped up with day-to-day and lose sight of your vision. That is why regular self-reflection is an important component of a growing and thriving career.

STEM industries provide rich opportunities for women and girls to do challenging, impactful work. By investing in girls and encouraging career growth in young women, we can create the future STEM leaders of tomorrow.