Women encouraged to take up a career in STEM

The science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are notorious for their gender disparity. However, with talent shortages hitting hard, women are now being urged to take up a career in STEM.

The prejudice women face in these roles has been covered extensively by HR Leader, with unfair challenges deterring many from continuing in the fields.

Research from the Department of Industry Science and Resources revealed that just 15 per cent of STEM-qualified occupations are filled by women, despite making up 35 per cent of university enrolments.

National Science Week ran from 12 to 20 August, with Identilab using this time to advocate for more women to take up a career in STEM. Kate Pippia founded Identilab to help ease this issue, and now women make up 83 per cent of scientists at the company.

“I think women in leadership roles in STEM can be seen as very difficult, and you don’t need to apologise for being a strong woman. I am very much interested in developing my team not only professionally but [also] personally,” Ms Pippia said.

“National Science Week provides a platform to build interest in STEM and just have a go. If we can increase the number of women in the STEM industries, we can help break down gender stereotypes and encourage women to pursue careers in STEM.”

Research from Identilab highlighted that just 23 per cent of senior leaders in STEM are women. Meanwhile, 15 per cent of Aussie women believe it’s too hard to establish a career in STEM, compared to 9 per cent of men.

Furthermore, 53 per cent of Aussie women believe the government needs to do more to encourage women to take up careers in STEM.

It appears the stigma many women face in this industry is turning around. Chemistry Australia recently announced the winner of its Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship. Kira McGrath, manufacturing technology manager at Orica Australia, took the award home.

Awards like this help to motivate others to consider a career in STEM. Ms McGrath said she’s “still pinching” herself.

The scholarship will take her to the UK to attend the Women Transforming Leadership Program at Oxford University.

“Taking part in the Women Transforming Leadership program at Oxford’s Saïd Business School will help me develop and strengthen my leadership skills while broadening my network internationally across sectors with successful and driven women,” Ms McGrath said.

“Once I return, I plan to build on the experience and forge a stronger presence of female leaders in manufacturing.”

Chemistry Australia chief executive Samantha Read believes these sorts of opportunities are vital for women in STEM: “With her commitment to driving diversity and creating opportunities for other young women, Kira is a commendable recipient of the Chemistry Australia CEW Woman Leader in STEM scholarship.”

“Kira really impressed with her energy and resolve to create a path for other women to follow into manufacturing. Kira is well placed to take the learnings from her participation in the Women Transforming Leadership program at Oxford back into the workplace, and we hope her achievements inspire other women to seek new opportunities in STEM and the Australian chemistry industry,” Ms Read explained.

“We very much look forward to hearing from Kira about her experiences once she returns from Oxford University.”