Women in STEM & My Journey from Art to Astrophysics (ft. guest speakers)
I would like to start this by saying: you do not have to be a woman to appreciate this post. In fact, men: we need you to hear our stories, boast our successes, affirm our past, and treat us no differently. We are capable- and now more than ever, this is the TIME! I’ll be open and say I’ve never directly been told “no” because I’m a woman. I’ve dealt with very passive “no’s,” but no man has given me unfair treatment because of my gender. I’m not naïve to think this could never happen and I’d like to think strong women that have paved the way for us here today have given me the confidence to never be in that position (if I have a say in it).
It is important to acknowledge that there is a reason “Women in STEM” is a topic of conversation (STEM= science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Simply, there is a lack thereof due to a multitude of reasons. Gender discrimination is a big one. If you aren’t familiar with what I’m talking about and had no idea that Women in STEM are considered a minority in our fields, I encourage you to research some statistics and be aware of the fact that we are indeed a very small percentage in male-dominated careers. This could be your sister, your best friend, your mom, your daughter. Everyone has women in their life and it’s important that they feel your support.
PHEW I don’t know about you but I’m ready for some encouragement (*hawk cries in background, echoing, while tumbleweed scatters along*)!!! If you are a woman considering pursuing a STEM degree or a woman actively pursuing a STEM degree, HI let’s be friends! You’re crushing it and killing the game and I think it’s safe to say all of us here on the internet (or my site at least) are really freaking proud of you. Science and math can be scary but you’re kicking down doors and taking names.
If my story can be 1% helpful to someone else, I think that’s worth it. I like to tell people I have 90% of a studio art degree. I began college in 2014 with every intention of refining my artistic tendencies with the hope of one day becoming an art professor. I went through the majority of my degree with a lot of confusion, uncertainty, and stress that I wasn’t doing something I “loved.” I would walk around art museums and feel nothing. I would constantly skip class- I didn’t feel challenged or motivated whatsoever.
Rewind to my childhood, I grew up going to the planetarium. I took an astronomy class my senior year of high school and filled an entire notebook in a month. I went home and word-vomited space information to my family and was so stoked on what was above me. It makes me sad that after that class I was too nervous to consider a career in STEM because math + science growing up were not my strongest subjects. I believed the lie that you “have to pursue a career in something you’re good at.” Two years into college, I looked up at the moon one night and felt an overwhelming sense of courage to pursue the thing that made me excited. So, I decided to add a physics *minor* to my degree. I got a lot of eyerolls and “you can’t do anything with that” from my academic advisors. I tend to be a very stubborn person so that didn’t faze me much.
Fast forward two-ish years and I’m married to the love of my dang life, living in Atlanta, finishing up my degree with every intention of pursuing a second degree in physics once I was finished with art school. I was talking to Michael (loml) explaining how frustrated I was with my classes and how bad my last year of art school was gonna suck and he point blank asked: “so why don’t you change your major?” The thought never occurred to me. I’m a big advocate for finishing what I start and at this point I had already invested four years of my life into this thing. As it turns out, post-bach classes are almost double the cost and I have a fraction of a scholarship left to use. After a lot of inner turmoil and “I suck, what am I doing with my life” rants, I did it.
I had to go to my academic advisor to try to change my major… twice. The first time, I left confused and angry that they told me to “think it over…” That it was a big decision and considering the math ladder I’d have to climb, it would be essentially starting over. I gave it a few days and went back to the exact same person to officially change my major. He said he admired my resilience to do something I loved despite the path (art to astrophysics) *literally* not existing. Damn right.
Today, I cannot describe the enthusiasm I have for my future. I want to be a project scientist for a planetary mission one day. I want to work for NASA. I can look at the moon and cry. I absolutely love what I do. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE should love what they do. It should keep them up at night and make them spill their hopes + dreams to random strangers.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t know what the heck I want to be when I grow up.” That. Is. Valid. I didn’t either, for a long time. I would encourage you to think about what you love to do. What doesn’t feel draining, but life-giving. What excites you. What seems cool, even if it seems far out of reach. The world needs you to be YOU! I believe in you.
Some absolutely incredible women agreed to offer a piece of advice to you female readers who are thinking about pursuing a degree in STEM or are actively doing so. I hope it inspires you as much as it did for me.
“Mentors and sponsors are so important in STEM. I was fortunate enough to find one who provided two things that were critical in starting my career: advice and access, and I always try my best to pay that forward to others.”
-Kellie Gerardi, Space & Defense Professional
“Being in the STEM field is so exciting. You have the opportunity to change the world with a theorem, equation, or even a line of code- which to me is so humbling. Ask for advice, have coffee with someone you admire in the field, and continue to read. The opportunity to impact those around you for the better is immeasurable- get out there!”
-Rhea Chaudhry, Engineer
“I’d say visualization is key. Visualize what you want to become, see yourself in the lab every day, or walking to work in your space suit etc. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Even if it is one person, they can really have a great impact on your path. Anybody can be a scientist all it takes is hard work and commitment!”
-Ariana Kalavana, Student, Aspiring Astronaut
“When it comes to achieving your goals, don’t be afraid to create your own path. Success is a journey that is different for everyone, and it takes passion and persistence. Find what skills and talents make you unique and use them to your advantage. If things don’t go the way you plan, turn your “failures” into lessons learned and opportunities for improvement!”
-Kayla Dio Robinson, Computer Science Student, NASA Intern
“I started out my college career as a Music Major. After completing my Freshman year, I couldn’t help but feel that I was being pulled another way. Technology was always an interest of mine. After a lot of consideration and encouragement, I decided to change my major to Computer Science. Making the change was one of the scariest things I’d ever done. The switch from Art to Science major was the biggest change I’d ever experienced (and I was terrified of math). Being a woman in STEM is something I am very proud of. I go to my Software Development job every day knowing I made the right choice. I will admit there were times where I didn’t know if I could do it. There were teachers who made me feel small, made things more difficult than they should be. In those moments, I turned to tutors and professors who believed in me. Once you find your support group, nothing is impossible. If you are thinking about making a change, don’t wait. Be confident, don’t be afraid to ask questions and be true to yourself. Life is not a dress rehearsal!
-Amanda Taylor, Software Developer
“So I came from a medical background and worked with preventing hospital infections with something called spores- but I did my research, looked online for relevant careers, subscribed to microbiology podcasts, articles, journals, you name it. I stumbled across a posting about spores in planetary protection! I just advise people to be creative, proactive and try to be an expert in your interests!! The more you know, the more you’ll find a portal to something you love.”
-Emily Seto, Microbiologist & Planetary Protection Engineer at NASA JPL
“When many people visualize “space exploration,” they think about risk. For me, risk appeared when I decided to quit my day job and pursue science communication full time. SkyFeed is almost two years old now, and the journey that’s made it what it is today has brought as many challenges as it has rewards. But as long as there is more to discover, I will feel responsible for sharing the thrill and curating a platform that makes astronomy more accessible than it was for the generations before me. My best advice is to always work like someone’s watching you, because they are. If you have an interest in STEM, there is also an expectation for you to act on it; the world needs you.”
-Lia Rovira, Student Physicist