Profiles
Who are the women in STEM?
Working in science
"There is always something to learn in every situation. Many of my best outcomes and most creative ideas are the result of overcoming difficulties I did not expect."
Senior Research Fellow
"We need to think beyond what we already know, and that's where creativity is important."
Research Director CSIRO
"It's not that people don't believe in your value or don't see your worth. Your resilience, intelligence and kindness will intimidate some people. "
Medicinal chemist and proud Gomeroi woman
"Follow your passions, trust your gut and don’t ever doubt your contributions, as everything you have to offer is valuable and unique!"
National Youth Science Forum CEO
"You don’t have to be Einstein’s cousin to do science subjects. All you need is a knack for asking questions, thinking about how to solve problems, and perseverance. That’s the same for any job really – stick with it and you will get there. "
Australia’s Chief Scientist
"Be bold in what you wish for, and don't be afraid to ask for it... you'll need to work hard towards your dreams, but it is equally important to get help along the way."
Synthetic Biology Scientist
"What’s interesting is the idea of creating knowledge between the existing discipline ‘silos’ — and creating new tools and technologies out of that knowledge."
Physicist
"At Oxford University there were 10 men for every woman student … I could see that getting gender balance makes a big difference."
Neuroscientist
Working with plants and animals
"The most rewarding part of my job is working with animals and being a voice for the voiceless"
PhD Student
"Choose a career that you think you'll love, work hard and don't give up till you get there."
Locum veterinary surgeon
"I want to ensure that wild places and wild animals are understood and protected."
Associate Professor, Conservation Biology & Associate Dean, Research Training
"It’s okay not knowing what you want to do or what you’re good at, but never let the feeling of ‘not knowing’ stop you from trying new things. You never know what you could discover."
Marine Ecologist, superstar of STEM
"I'm super passionate about the environment and the problems of climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty facing our world."
Biologist and research fellow
"I am a bio-nerd, like you can’t even imagine. I am a geek with a capital G. I spend all of my time travelling around discovering new species."
Biologist
Working in tech
"Creative thinking is central to complex problem-solving, so make sure you don’t leave your creativity at the door!"
Working between design, health and technology
"Build up a support crew of people that will stand by you and encourage you, people who will lovingly let you know when you’re wrong, people who look nothing like you and people who have different life experiences to you."
Technology Exec
"The path is not necessarily a straight one, and a diverse set of experiences is your best tool for excellent problem-solving in the future."
Systems engineer
"Looking back, I can now see that a lot of my choices were, in many ways, unusual. For example, I was the first in my family to be interested in studying computer science. I was also the first to want to pursue my bachelors abroad. In high school, I decided to take the ‘path less travelled’."
Associate Professor in Software Engineering
"You know more than you think you do and you’re more capable than you believe. If it doesn’t feel that way it's only because others underestimate you. Other women aren’t your competition either — they are your allies. Help each other, support each other, and lift each other up. Success isn’t a zero-sum game. You’ll also find yourself making good friends along the way!"
Co-founder, producer and host of popular tech and gaming podcast Queens of the Drone Age.
" My only goal is to make sure whatever I am doing is helpful and useful, and I am sharing my skills and knowledge to help others do what I do."
Co-founder, producer and host of popular tech and gaming podcast Queens of the Drone Age.
"Commit to learning and reflecting on what energises and drains you. Developing a strong sense of self, and finding the intersection of the things you’re good at, the things you enjoy doing, and the things the world needs and will pay you for will keep your skillset adaptable and future ready."
Software developer
"As a technologist, I am always thinking about systems and trying to figure out how power moves within them. It is so easy to be caught up new tech, new toys, new AIs - but the most important questions we can ask are, Who has power? And how could this power be used to harm others?"
Technologist
Working in maths and engineering
"I loved maths in school, but I wasn’t sure what kind of job I could get with that. I wanted an exciting job but, in my mind, everything related to maths sounded so boring. When I finished high school, I didn’t know what to study – I thought engineering was only about big machines and working in a man’s world. "
Race Engineer
"Believing in yourself is so important, and if you have a question in class, always just ask. You can guarantee someone else will be wondering the same thing."
Superstar of STEM and super problem-solver
"Being a mathematician, I am not afraid of failure. It has always been a part of my life – it just gives me a chance to do things again – get a better solution, solve a bigger problem. "
Mathematician
Working in the skies
"You can do anything but you don’t have to do everything – so do what excites you."
Aviation Management student
"Find your voice. Your passion is your power and influence."
Senior Lecturer, Aerospace Engineer & Co-Chair YoWIE
"While I think it’s important to find a field that interests you, it’s equally important that you explore those skills in different environments. What might work for some might not work for you, and that’s okay!"
Space vehicle systems engineer
"I find it’s really helpful to remember WHY you want to do what you want to do. Why do you love science? Why do you want to achieve that particular goal? If you remember the ‘why’, that will motivate you to keep going and smashing those challenges!"
Science Communicator and extraordinary Astrophysicist
"It's ok to fail, and it's ok to get discouraged. Those are normal things, especially for students in STEM. I've found that the most important thing is to keep reminding yourself why you're doing this."
Aerospace systems engineer and NASA intern
"… anybody can achieve a career in STEM, everyone has the right to equal opportunities, including young women, including young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."
Astronomer
Working in defence
"Never be afraid of failing and don’t care what others might think of you. Everything is a learning opportunity and you never know where it may lead and who you might meet."
Aviation Engineer / Lieutenant
"Attend workshops, university open days and do work experience. Try to speak to your parents' friends who work in different industries to gauge what interests you!"
Captain, Aviation Maintenance Engineer
The GiST quiz
Not sure what you might like to study at school? Or are you wondering what careers will suit the things you love already? The GiST has a great quiz that can help - check it out.
The Gist Quiz