Follow Passions to Access a STEM Career

STEM is a big tent and given the random way in which careers tend to unfold even the most avowedly unsciency people can find their way into a STEM or STEM adjacent job.

There are many ways to access work around STEM but the main thing is to find an area that interests you, an interest that can grow into a passion and from there a career.

“Too often, STEM is framed as something young people must love outright rather than something they can engage with through their passions. By showing young women how STEM intersects with their interests, whether it's cooking, design, or social impact, we can open up new pathways into STEM careers. The key is to reframe STEM as a tool for shaping the world, rather than just a subject to study,” says Crazy Ideas College (CIC) Co-Director Zoe Burrows. 

Since 2018 CIC has partnered with schools across Australia to support and challenge young people to step into powerful opportunities that enable them to cultivate their talents, boost their personal agency and follow their dreams.

This International Women’s Day, IBM and Crazy Ideas College (CIC) are equipping young women in Years 11 and 12 with the tools, frameworks, and mindsets to shape their futures and lead. Through CIC’s Lead4Impact (L4i) model, participants develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and explore pathways in leadership, technology, and beyond. The workshop also provides the opportunity to collaborate with inspiring IBM female leaders, helping young women envision and pursue bold career aspirations.

The program is designed using CIC’s Lead4Impact (L4i) framework, which supports young people to develop leadership qualities in ways that align with their values and strengths. It focuses on four key aspects of leadership: self-leadership, leading with others, leadership tools and practices, and making a positive impact.

“We know that leadership takes practice, so as part of the program, the young women will design and launch a leadership experiment in their schools, validating their passions, needs, and perspectives while stepping into leadership where they care most. They will test an initiative or idea that allows them to apply and strengthen their leadership skills in a real-world context, such as leading a team, driving change in an area they’re passionate about, or building community connections. This action-based approach helps them build confidence, develop their leadership identity, and see new possibilities for their futures,” Burrows says.

“An ultimate win would be seeing these young women take what they’ve learned and applying it, be that by stepping into leadership roles, pursuing bold career pathways in technology and innovation, or leading change in their communities. It’s also about fostering ongoing connections between the young women and IBM leaders, creating a support network that provides coaching and new opportunities well beyond the program.”

There have been several stand-out successes around young women and STEM at CIC.

“We’ve had the pleasure of seeing many young women design, prototype, and launch trials of programs, products, and services that use STEM to enhance their communities. These projects showcase how young women can apply technology, science, and innovation to solve real-world challenges.

“One example project is Paper Seed Bags, where the team of young women collaborated with manufacturers to create compostable seed-planting bags aimed at reducing waste. The idea came to life, as the team trialled their product in a local IGA store," says Burrows.

"It was amazing that we were offered a chance to put our idea into the real world. I learnt a lot about turning an idea into a reliable and real project and will use these skills for the rest of my life. My highlight was the connections we made with community and business partners," says Amy, a Year 9 Student who was involved in the Paper Bag Seeds project.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to do something intentionally female-focused, recognising and addressing gender gaps that we know exist in STEM and leadership. 

However, supporting young women doesn’t mean leaving young men behind. CIC and IBM are committed to equipping all young people with the skills, confidence, and networks to shape their futures.

“Since 2022, our partnership has supported over 27,000 young people across Australia and New Zealand, delivering programs that help students develop leadership qualities, build future-ready mindsets, and leverage technology for good. Programs like the Crazy Good Tech Challenge are open to everyone, ensuring that young men who show initiative and passion for tech are equally encouraged and supported."