Lumen Winter 2018 - Flipbook - Page 19
PROGRAM READIES
FEMALE STUDENTS
FOR CAREERS
IN STEM
Around the world, many women are graduating
from Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) courses but not staying
long in a STEM career. The University of
Adelaide, with support from industry, is
working to do something about that.
STORY BY NICK CARNE
Late last year, 68 female science and engineering students were
invited to an early “graduation” ceremony. All still had work to
do to finish their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, but had
successfully completed an innovative new program created to help
them prepare for the transition to working life.
The Women in STEM Careers Program was a direct response to the
reality that many female graduates, no matter how talented, struggle
to settle into what are traditionally male-dominated industries.
It is a serious issue. In 2016, Australia’s Chief Scientist reported
that females account for only 27% of the STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduate workforce. In
Engineering, females make up around 20% of all graduates but only
10% of the workforce. Many don’t stay beyond five years.
And this is despite the fact most women who enter a STEM
discipline are motivated to succeed. As Dr Claudia Szabo puts
it: “They’ve self-selected to be in fields that aren’t necessarily
perceived as being welcoming to women. They want to be
here, they study hard, they pass well but many don’t stay in the
industries they join.”
Dr Szabo, the Associate Dean – Diversity and Inclusion in the
Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences,
said most of the reasons link back to workplace culture and that “in
recent years there has been a lot of effort in industry, particularly in
the major companies, to address that.”
However, part of the answer also lies in equipping young engineers
and scientists with career management tools. Dr Szabo was keen
to do just that and found an enthusiastic ally in Louise O’Reilly,
the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences
Marketing, Engagement and Recruitment Manager.
Laura Easton (left) with Anne Toomath (right)
and Lewis Maxwell at Santos
Photo by Russell Millard
“We knew what we wanted to do because we had been on a
leadership development program and thought ‘this is awesome I
wish I’d had this when I was much younger’. Most of the time, in
most organisations, leadership development programs are available
for senior members of staff, but it’s really the juniors that need it.”
Alumni Magazine ~ Winter 2018
17
