On finding your ‘why’ for women in STEM

Take a moment to think about a world without bias, discrimination, or stereotypes. Where diversity, equity, and inclusivity are valued and celebrated. What would that look like? For over a century, International Women’s Day has been a call to action for people around the world to accelerate women’s equality and celebrate their many achievements, whether they are social, cultural, political, or technical. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘break the bias,’ encourages everyone to act and to make a change in their own communities, schools, workplaces, and industries.

30 years of ‘yes’

This year, Optus celebrates its 30^th anniversary. In 1992, Optus was the challenger telco brand bringing competition and choice to Australians for the first time. In 2022, we are so much more than a phone company – Optus is a technology company. Over the past three decades, we have been innovators, forging new technology solutions for our customers, while also offering great-value connectivity solutions for Australians.

As a lawyer, I joined Optus almost two decades ago, and am now Head of Procurement, and lead IT Procurement for both Singtel and Optus. While I am not an engineer, a scientist, or a mathematician, I am proud to be a woman in tech. Optus is investing in keeping Australians connected and leveraging new technologies in ways that transform how our customers use their connectivity, whether that is through satellite capabilities or the Optus Living Network. We are at the foreground of initiating change, and that is what makes Optus such an energising and inspiring place to work.

I am love working for a company that is working hard to ensure women feel comfortable in a technology-focused environment. Increasing women’s participation in technology is a business issue as much as it is a gender issue - more women working in the field of business is better for business. However, simply recruiting more women into technology roles will not bring the potential benefits unless those diverse perspectives are able to thrive. Large organisations can change perception and shape societal norms, and we must recognise this big responsibility. As part of Optus’ Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy, we have formalised employee networks for Women, Ability and Disability, Culture and Heritage, and Veterans Services, and allies. Optus’ women’s network, Elevate, is on a mission to create an inclusive community that empowers women through meaningful connections and opportunities to develop, grow and create impact, ensuring that Optus is the right place for the best people to do their best work.

Empowering women in STEM 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is an ever-changing field, and is an exciting area to work in – especially for women. However, it is essential to elevate and celebrate the women working in STEM so we can further diversity and gender parity in the industry.

The most recent STEM Equity Monitor, a national data report on girls’ and women’s participation in STEM, shows some real improvements for representation and participation in STEM study and careers. The proportion of women working across all STEM-qualified industries has continually increased from 24% in 2016 to 28% in 2020, and the proportion of key management personnel and senior managers who are women has also continuously increased from 18% in 2016 to 23% in 2020. While this is an improvement, women are underrepresented in this field. The Equity Monitor indicates that five years after graduating, men with a STEM qualification were 1.8 times more likely to be working in a STEM-qualified occupation compared to their female peers.

Only within the last decade have girls been encouraged to fall in love with science and maths at school or to and consider a career in STEM. I am passionate about encouraging this - empowering the next generation of female leaders is key to my ‘why’.

My advice for women looking for a career in STEM

How can we continue to design technology products or develop industries without considering the perspectives and needs of women? If you want to make a change in the future world of technology, I encourage you to come into the middle from the sidelines. Watching (or even cheering!) from the sidelines isn’t going to be enough to change the future of the industry. Choosing inactivity will allow technology to continue to perpetuate gender biases.

Learn your ‘why’ – find out what sparks your curiosity or makes you tick. If you know your ‘why’, the ‘how’ will fall into place. Find mentors that will inspire you and challenge you. Especially in fields like STEM, understand that your career will never go in a straight line – it will zig-zag, go forwards, backwards or sometimes you will make a lateral move. Success isn’t linear, but it is important to analyse the trend lines. Over time, you will build resilience and experience.

Don’t shy away from technology, thinking you’re not good enough or smart enough, or that you won’t enjoy it. As women, it is important to remember the adage ‘if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together,’ as this is truer than ever before. There is a world of innovation and opportunity out there if you have the optimism and drive to say ‘yes’.