How To Help Women in STEM Careers
Lessons from my personal journey of twenty-five years in three countries as a woman in science
As I mark an important milestone in my scientific career, I notice that not much has changed since the time I joined the workforce making my goal of staying in the workforce sound like an achievement.
Recently I completed twenty-five years as a scientist. Not surprisingly, I remembered my first day at work, eager to reap the rewards of my hard earned education that had begun in India and culminated in the US with a Ph.D. As a diligent student growing up in urban India in a family that valued education, I had pursued a science education, unaware of the challenges of being a woman in STEM.
The young are optimistic and naive. I was no exception. My ambitions were modest.
I hoped to contribute to the field, make a small difference to people’s lives, and derive satisfaction by doing meaningful work.
Today as I look back through the lens of hindsight, I can confidently report that I have achieved one solitary (and far from lofty) goal. Despite many obstacles, I have continued to remain in the workforce.
