Insights to the Challenges and Triumphs of Women in STEM – Shailaja (India)

In light of Women’s Day, the University of Tartu boasts of a higher enrollment of female students compared to male counterparts. However, I couldn’t help but notice that this trend does not extend to the realm of STEM fields. In order to gain a better insight into the experience of some of these women, I conducted interviews with three accomplished women currently pursuing studies in diverse STEM disciplines at the University of Tartu.

• What initially inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?

Yuliia: Since early childhood, I liked math and anything else where I had to make calculations. After school, I decided to continue biology because of my family history. It was the beginning of my 2nd semester when I discovered programming. I was fascinated by the fact that I could create something in a short period. I continued with biology, learning more about different kinds of programming in parallel.
I’ve always wanted a career where I could apply a scientific approach. I want my work to have an impact on people and move society forward. And a career in STEM is exactly what I need. And my current work allows me to express my creativity as well!

Paola: I’ve always had this inclination toward science. Initially, I thought I wanted to pursue medicine during high school, but that changed when I came to Estonia. Here, the bachelor’s programme offered specialisations in genetics, biotechnology, robotics, bioengineering, and chemistry. Initially, I was drawn to genetics because of its connection to biology and medicine, but that shifted when I started taking programming courses. I had no prior knowledge of programming, but I found it aligned more with my interests and what I really wanted to do.

It’s funny because I never thought I’d get into programming. There’s this stereotype that it’s only for super smart people, and I didn’t see myself fitting into that category. However, I ended up loving it and sticking with it.

It’s interesting how we sometimes perceive certain fields. Programming is often seen as male-dominated and for the “geniuses,” while biology might seem easier and more suited for women. But having experienced both, especially now, I realise those perceptions don’t hold up.

• What distinguishes the programme you chose at UT, and how has it supported your journey in STEM?

Yuliia: Before the University of Tartu, I wasn’t sure about the direction in which I wanted to go in the IT world. I mostly had experience in Web since in my previous university, the majority of courses were focused on Web. But as I mentioned before, I wanted to do something ‘scientific-y’, and the Web is not exactly it. I chose Computer Science as my major with the hope of finally discovering my passion.
I had very little experience in Machine Learning at that moment, and for some reason, I didn’t know its potential. At UT, I had a Machine Learning course, which was mandatory for me, and some other courses where I had to apply Machine Learning techniques. This is where I truly discovered it. With the practical approach that the university implies, I could enter the Machine Learning world and gain enough practical and theoretical experience to get my first work position in an Estonian company.
I would also like the university to support the involvement of girls in STEM in all stages of education. I believe the earlier a girl gains interest in STEM-related subjects. The earlier she realises that there are no limitations for her, the more motivated she will be to pursue a career in STEM. It can be workshops, interactive lectures, supportive talks, or anything.

Paola: I ended up in the bachelor’s programme because I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take. With three specialisations on offer, I figured I’d dip my toes into each area to see what resonated with me. Some family connections with Estonia prompted me to apply here, and my experience in the bachelor’s was so positive that I decided to continue with my master’s here, too. The research that I got was really interesting to me.

The university is incredibly student-friendly, especially for international students like me. Everything is conducted in English, and extensive online resources make it easy to navigate even remotely. As for the programme itself, having the chance to explore various fields before committing was a huge draw for me. The robotics and computer engineering specialisation stood out because there aren’t many similar programmes in Europe. The university’s focus on robotics and generous funding opportunities made it a clear choice.

But, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, particularly when feeling like I belong. There’s been this persistent feeling of imposter syndrome, especially in the bachelor’s programme, where the lack of diversity made me feel somewhat excluded. Most of my peers were from Slavic backgrounds and communicated in their native languages, which often left me feeling like an outsider.

I’ve also found support in other women I work with. One of my closest classmates has been through similar experiences, and she’s encouraged me to be more assertive. It’s not about confrontation; it’s about having confidence in your own perspective, even when others might be more forceful.

• As a woman in STEM, have you frequently found yourself as the only woman in the room? If so, how do you navigate any differing perspectives or values that may arise?

Yuliia: Many years ago, I visited a blockchain event with two of my friends (girls) in Ukraine. We were in a big room full of men. Add our age to this situation – we were less than 20, while most guys were more than 40. Some guys were quite surprised to see such young girls there. I even remember that some guys tried to avoid us with fear in their eyes. For sure, I was not comfortable. But I quickly understood that their reaction was their problem.
I don’t have to be ashamed to be among other people. Doesn’t matter the difference in looks. I come to a place with a reason, and it is the only important thing to me. Now, I rarely find myself the only girl in the room. Especially among Data Scientists – there are plenty of girls!
If there are some differences in interests or values between me and men, I don’t tie them to a gender. Despite gender, people are generally different. And I consider this to be the origin of the differences.

I think one of the issues lies in the lack of women in managerial and leadership roles. I don’t know any women who are leading teams or departments. It seems like everywhere I look, it’s men in charge – my team lead, my department head, even in other companies I’ve been to. It makes me feel like it’s harder for women to climb up to those leadership positions.

I get that leadership roles come with their own set of challenges and demands, like being available around the clock and taking on more responsibilities. But it’s disheartening to see the imbalance, and it definitely makes me wonder about the hurdles women might face in reaching those positions.

Paola: It’s frustrating how male-dominated some environments can be, like in classrooms or project teams. I remember being in a lecture hall with maybe 80 people, and there were only around eight girls – not even 10%. It’s a stark reminder of the gender disparity in these fields.

One thing I’ve noticed while working on projects is that women tend to be more inclined to listen actively to everyone’s input. In a team of five, female teammates often try to consider everyone’s opinions on tackling a problem. On the other hand, it’s common for male teammates to assert their solutions without much discussion. It can create a bit of tension, and it’s not easy to navigate.

One of the ways I’ve gotten around it is to learn to speak up more. Realising that I’m in the room for a reason and that my opinion matters just as much as anyone else’s. It’s been a process, though. I used to be more passive, just going along with whatever others suggested. Now, I’m learning to stand by my opinions and engage in discussions.

I’ve also found support in other women I work with. One of my closest classmates has been through similar experiences, and she’s encouraged me to be more assertive. It’s not about confrontation; it’s about having confidence in your own perspective, even when others might be more forceful.

Mouna: In the first year, it felt more balanced between men and women in our programme. Science and technology tend to attract a diverse crowd. However, in the second year, with the focus shifting to biotech and genomics, where typically more women are involved, our class makeup changed. Usually, men lean towards physics or engineering fields, while in our case, they opted for robotics, perhaps because of the engineering aspect. Robotics has this perception of being more of a “guy thing,” especially compared to biology.

So, to answer your question, I don’t feel like the only girl in the room anymore. Right now, there are around 20 other girls with me, outnumbering the guys. If anything, the guys might feel a bit outnumbered now.

• Do you believe your gender affords you any advantages in certain aspects compared to your male counterparts in STEM? 

Yuliia: I haven’t noticed any difference so far. Sometimes, being a girl is a reason to have fun. Some men older than me were confused by modern ‘rules’ for addressing a woman. They are afraid to call you a “girl” because you may be offended, and they are afraid to call you a “woman” because you may be offended. Then they are confused, and everybody is laughing. 

Paola: I’ve noticed that when we’re working on a project together, female teammates usually tend to have a broader perspective on projects, focusing more on the overall user experience and how the end product will be perceived. Take, for instance, working on a web page. While female teammates might consider how users will interact with it and how it will make them feel, male teammates might dive deeper into the technical aspects.

It’s not about one approach being better than the other; it’s just different viewpoints. Women often have this knack for seeing the bigger picture and keeping the end result in mind, whereas men might excel at delving into the technical details. Both perspectives are valuable and can complement each other well in a team setting.

Mouna: I’ve mainly been interested in biology since high school; it’s always felt like a predominantly female field. My biology and natural science teachers were all women; even in labs, they were mostly female supervisors. Honestly, I never really thought about it until now. I’ve been so used to being surrounded by women that I didn’t really notice if guys were treating me differently or not. It’s just been the norm for me, I guess.

Even as an adult, seeing other women in these spaces, whether it’s a female professor or classmates, can provide a sense of comfort and validation. It reminds us that we’re not alone, that there are others breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes alongside us, and it can make navigating male-dominated fields a little less daunting.

• What advice would you offer to the next generation of women who might currently be contemplating a career in STEM?

Yuliia: First of all, I want the next generation to get rid of stereotypes that limit their potential. We can hear gender stereotypes from the very beginning of our lives, and we may grow up thinking about them as a ground of irresistible truth. A girl may not even try learning math, for example, because she is sure she can’t succeed. From my experience (I have worked as a private math tutor), I can say for sure that there is no noticeable division. There are both boys and girls who are good at it and who struggle.
Do not underestimate yourself, and be confident enough not to let others do it, especially because of your gender, age, etc.
Do not be afraid of making mistakes or not understanding something. Direct this into motivation to become a better self.

Paola: One of the biggest hurdles for many of us, myself included, is this feeling of not being good enough or not belonging in certain spaces. It’s so easy to look around and see a room full of people who seem so confident and capable and think, “Oh no, that’s not me”. But the most important thing is to just give it a try. Failure is okay; it’s all part of the learning process. Believing in ourselves, as cheesy as it sounds, is crucial.

Representation, too, matters immensely. Seeing women excelling in fields like robotics or computer science from a young age can have a profound impact. For a 12-year-old girl to say she wants to do robotics largely due to early conditioning and societal norms. Having visible role models and examples of women succeeding in these fields can make a difference in inspiring young girls to pursue their passions.

Even as an adult, seeing other women in these spaces, whether it’s a female professor or classmates, can provide a sense of comfort and validation. It reminds us that we’re not alone, that there are others breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes alongside us, and it can make navigating male-dominated fields a little less daunting.

Mouna: When you’re passionate about science, it’s like this driving force within you that just compels you to pursue it, no matter the obstacles. When it comes to fields like biology or natural sciences, math can sometimes feel like this daunting hurdle, especially when it’s often associated with male teachers or favouritism towards male students.

It’s disheartening when you encounter that kind of bias, but, incredibly, you were able to push through it and focus on your end goal.

• Is there anything else you’d like to share before we conclude?

Paola: I would just say that it can sometimes be intimidating if you look around to find predominantly men around you. But it’s important to give it a shot because most people don’t have bad intentions. They’re not going to say outright, “Women are incompetent”. It’s just that they might not be used to having this kind of diversity. So, just try to prove yourself, both to yourself and others, that you’re just as valuable.

Mouna: Through my experience, I’ve realised that sometimes, in order to keep your job or even land one, you might have to swallow your pride and deal with mansplaining. It’s a tough reality, but it’s something a lot of us have to navigate in the workplace.