The STEM field has long been a male-dominated one, but this hasn’t stopped women from continuing to challenge stereotypes, innovate, and inspire future generations with their contributions.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, which took place over the weekend on 8 March, Yuan Yidi, a scientist at the Disruptive Technologies Office, and Germaine Kong, Lead Engineer at xData, shared their thoughts about how STEM could benefit from having more women scientists and engineers, and what it takes to excel in this exciting line of work.
Do you think more women should be joining the STEM field? Why?
YY: Yes, definitely! In fact, we are already seeing more women in STEM. Just look at the number of female engineers and scientists working at HTX! However, I feel that women may still be underrepresented in certain STEM fields.
There is no doubt that an environment where both women and men can bring their unique experiences to the table will be one that fuels innovations for the future.
GK: Of course! Having more women in STEM means getting a greater number of perspectives, which would be crucial to solving challenges. I think that women bring a more empathetic perspective to problem solving in a male dominated industry.
Do you have any advice for women beginning their careers in STEM?
YY: Be curious and eager to learn new things, be confident in voicing out your opinions, and most importantly, have fun!
GK: Be inquisitive, find good mentors who can help guide you along the way, remember that your perspective is valuable and don’t be afraid to share them. Last but not least, don’t be discouraged when facing setbacks – view every challenge as a learning opportunity!
DTO scientist Yuan Yidi. (Photo: HTX)
What does it take to be successful in a STEM career?
YY: I have found that finding joy in what I do really helps me overcome challenging times. It also helps to be curious, resourceful, and always eager to solve problems.
GK: Adaptability, given that things in the tech field change so quickly. Problem-solving skills are also particularly useful because there will always be problems that arise. Other useful traits include being able to communicate effectively because there will be times when you need to explain concepts to stakeholders. Finally, you need to be a team player because much of the work involves collaborating with teams of other functions.
xData engineer Germaine Kong. (Photo: HTX)
What do you like about working in a STEM role in HTX?
YY: As a scientist in HTX, I am encouraged to explore and be creative in adapting emerging science and technological developments to the Home Team. I find it thrilling that I’m constantly learning new things, seeing new possibilities, and working alongside like-minded researchers!
GK: The work here is very meaningful because what we do has a direct impact on national security and public safety. What’s more, there are numerous opportunities to grow by learning from super experienced colleagues and the many courses we get to go on.
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