Stories, Tips & STEMspiration 💜

This week we’ve mixed things up on our newsletter, aiming to cover a wider range of topics and provide practical advice, stories from our community, and as always, STEMspiration.

We hope you like it and if you have any feedback please do let us know 🙂 >> erin@feminstem.co.uk & zahrah@feminstem.co.uk. 💜

Interview Corner ⭐️

Women in STEM: Burnout

This week, we were able to talk to the lovely Aqsah Awan about her experiences with burnout. Here is what she had to say:

As a woman working in STEM, can you tell me about times when you felt you had to prove yourself more than your peers and how that contributed to burnout?

“Absolutely. As a woman in STEM, it can sometimes feel like there’s less room for mistakes, and that can make it harder to brush things off while you’re still learning. Although workplaces have progressed to create more inclusive and nurtures, there are moments when the way you present yourself is interpreted differently, for example, being direct or taking the lead may be perceived in varying ways. Navigating those dynamics can be challenging at times, but it’s an experience many of us share.”

Do you believe burnout is still a taboo topic within the workplace?

“I think it’s a lot better than what it used to be. There has been a change of mindset, and now there is an expectation in the workplace that mental health must be considered with your workload. “

What guidance would you offer to young women entering STEM about sustaining themselves and preserving their well-being as they grow in their careers?

“Make sure to take everything in chunks. It’s very important to take things one step at a time because when you feel like you must reach your end goal immediately, that’s when you start to get overwhelmed. When it comes to climbing the career ladder, it’s important to remember it’s a marathon, not a race. Identify key skills you need and slowly work your way up one skill at a time.”

Are there any support networks and resources you would recommend, and how would you approach using them?

“Your friends and family are the best support network. Just talking about what you’re carrying can take away half the weight. Professionally, I would say speak to your manager. I know it can be scary, but the best employee is someone who can complete their work sustainably and not suffer silently. There will still be periods of time where the workload is just heavy, but having open communication and knowing that this time will pass is so helpful.”

If you have any burnout tips you’d like to share, let us know!! > hello@feminstem.co.uk

Weekly STEMspiration ⭐️

Embracing not knowing

One of the most challenging parts about being within the STEM field is the feeling of being a beginner repeatedly. 

It’s a double-edged sword; on one hand, the idea that no matter how far you progress, you can always be back at square one can be debilitating. 

However, “not knowing” is the starting point to any discovery. Being a beginner is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of growth, something that arises only from placing yourself in unfamiliar situations. 

Although this is easier said than done and imposter syndrome and burnout often go hand in hand with this. 

So here’s something to remember: everyone has days when they have to Google the most basic of concepts, despite how knowledgeable they may seem. 

STEM rewards the people who are willing to keep learning, so keep at it! 💜

Mini Career Tip 💜

Networking for Introverts 💜

Feeling like you have to carry a conversation with someone you admire can be daunting. Here are a few tips to help you network even if you’re on the more introverted side:

💜 Start with simple open-ended questions, things like “How did you get into your field?” and “What are you working on right now that you’re excited about?” 

💜 Follow up the next day with a short Linkedin message. 

💜 Play on your strength of being a good listener. 

💜 Use reflective responses, something like “That’s so interesting, can you tell me more about…”

Happy networking!!

Get Involved

If you’re a STEM employer >> talk to me about your plans to improve inclusivity for women in STEM, let’s see how we can get you there together.  If you’re a woman in STEM >> reach out and have your story featured! Young women need to see the generation of women before them working in industry to be inspired, that could be you!

Thanks for being part of feminSTEM.
Erin 💜
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