Clinical Senior Lecturer, Institute Applied Health Science, SMMSN
From a young age I wanted to be a doctor, I really never considered any other career. My dolls used to have diabetes and measles when I was a little girl, and I loved all of the sciences at school. I was always chatty and loved to speak to people – so I couldn’t wait to do a job where speaking but most importantly listening to people to try to help them was an essential part. I even did Higher Latin as I kept being told it would help me learn medical terms – and I think it did!
I have really benefitted from the support and encouragement from strong female role models, both scientists and clinical academics as well as NHS colleagues. They all made me see there was not only space for women in science and medicine but that we could excel. It’s been really important to see women working who had a family too – not that having children is for everyone of course – but for me personally I knew that was something I wanted, but I guess when younger I worried that maybe didn’t mix with a career in medicine. Thankfully seeing such incredible women before me not only stand out as experts in their fields but also as incredible mothers was inspiring.
I think humans, of all kinds, bring perspectives and value to STEM – and women and girls have just as much to offer as anyone else. Science is practical, and objective but also creative and you have to be intuitive and innovative. Hard work is also essential. So women and girls who have those skills and boys and men will do well in STEM.
My advice to girls exploring different STEM career paths is you don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning. Study and work in areas you enjoy, that give you purpose and engage your imagination as well as your practical skills. STEM has so many options and involves lifelong learning and new possibilities – so go for it, it's exciting being involved in science and medicine where I know over my career not only will things progress and change around me, but I can be part of that progress and help to design change.
