How Can We Make STEM More Approachable at School?

As a woman in a STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field, I usually fall into the gender minority at meetings or customer interactions. While I have seen a shift in the tech industry over time, particularly as companies like Confluent implement significant DE&I practices, such as support networks for women and inclusive hiring practices, there’s still a long way to go to shift the industry as a whole. Being a mother of a ten-year-old daughter, it is abundantly clear to me that equity starts early. We often think of university and graduate programs as the solution to the skills shortage of gender diversity in STEM fields. However, in my view we need to think even earlier about our primary education system. Here’s where I believe we can improve.

Realising the Need
Women make up a small portion of skilled workers in tech. For example, only 22% of global workers in the rapidly emerging field of artificial intelligence are women. With technology shaping our everyday lives today, it’s crucial that innovations in fields like AI, data streaming and big data are developed by a diverse group of people. Only then can the solutions, products and innovations - that are shaping our future - be deemed fair and equitable.

Tackling Unconscious Bias
For the younger generations in Australia today, it’s incredibly important that they have a broad range of learning experiences, including STEM-related fields, so as not to rule out certain paths from an early age.

One way I see this happening is through unconscious bias. It’s great to see how STEM is being taught and represented in the school curriculum, but bias can make these subjects more approachable to specific students - and genders - over others. One way to avoid this is to make STEM activities group and problem-solving focused, where everyone has to work together toward a common goal in an inclusive setting. In these scenarios the focus is not solely on which student is technically good at maths, but how skills relate to real-world problems.

Another effective way of removing bias is through encouraging open conversations. At Confluent, we sponsor a growing number of employee resource groups, allowing employees from underrepresented groups and their allies to connect, engage and foster understanding. This includes our Women Inclusion Network, which serves to amplify the leadership and impact of women at Confluent through community, allyship, and development. In addition, leaders sharing personal experiences can motivate others to do the same. By highlighting challenges faced as a woman in the technology industry, I am able to form genuine connections and encourage deeper acceptance for inclusion within my team.

These scenarios - whether academic or professional - not only create a safe space for people to explore but also mimic problem-solving, which is a crucial skill no matter what industry you are in.

Lead by Example
As mentioned earlier, university and graduate programs are critical to getting more women interested in STEM. However, many of these initiatives will be more successful if passions were developed earlier in their academic career.

To personally contribute to this cause in a small way, I am involved in mentoring school age girls to ensure that they understand the myriad of opportunities available to them. I want other girls and kids who may not have thought they would be interested in STEM-related activities to be able to explore areas and meet someone who has made a career out of it. And it’s not just women in STEM who should get involved - the more role models from diverse industries and backgrounds that kids can talk to and learn from, the better.

As a female leader in technology, a friend and a mother of a daughter, I try to think of what I can do to support greater equity. While some of the efforts may be small, I'm a big believer in the fact that it ‘takes a village’ to inspire real change.

I sincerely hope that STEM fields can become more attractive to a diverse range of genders and backgrounds by making it more accessible from an early stage. This will open up new opportunities for the next generation of talent and ensure that the solutions and products of tomorrow are more representative of our diverse society.