Girls have STEM dreams too
In recognition of International Women's Day - DigitALL: innovation and technology for gender equality – today, Wednesday 8 March, I have been thinking about my love of maths and how things played out for me.
I would line up all my dolls and teddies and sit in front of them on my bedroom floor. I am not sure what I was actually saying or doing but can remember my dream of being a teacher one day. I was six years old.
When I reached high school the dream of teaching strengthened to focus on maths and science. I wanted to continue the love of experimenting and analysis, and I was good at it. However, I left school at the completion of year 10, I could not see a path to and beyond university due to family circumstances.
By chance at the age of 25, I came across an advertisement in the local Bundaberg newspaper describing a twenty-week course to gain a job as a sugar cane chemist. I enrolled. I immersed myself in physics, chemistry, laboratory techniques...nine subjects and achieved nine distinctions. I was learning and having fun. I was fortunate to spend one year at a sugar mill as the head chemist, yet once again due to family circumstances I had to end this career chapter.
About three years later, I started working with engineers at Main Roads. I asked lots of questions and realised I was once again surrounded by science, mathematics with the added flavour of engineering and technology. Although I wasn't teaching, I was the student and wanted to learn as much as I could.
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Five years on, I jumped at the opportunity to be an Information Technology Logistics Manager. Who knew this would then lead to my 20+ years project leadership career.
How are we as project leaders encouraging girls to follow their dreams and know a career in STEM is possible?
STEM is the curriculum for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
STEM Equity Monitor 2022
Source: Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
However, there is still a lot of work to do to achieve equal opportunity across Australia’s diverse populations to learn, work and engage in STEM.
Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
1yOh thanks Jeanette Cremor ! Love working with our great scientists and committed staff. They inspire me every day, as do you.
Real Project Leadership for Teams | Business Transformations | Advisor, Coach, Facilitator, Trainer and Author | Creator of The Project Ecosystem®
1yA special shout out to these three amazing women at Bureau of Meteorology I’m thankful for the opportunity to witness science and leadership successfully integrated. Victoria Dodds Chantal Donnelly Nina Bowbridge