International Day of Women and Girls in Science

At Welsh Water, we have a broad programme to inspire the next generation and highlight the opportunities on offer within the industry. This includes an Education Team that deliver contextual, curricular-driven learning experiences to tens of thousands of pupils each year, and a group of company volunteers ready to share career insight and experiences with older pupils.

To mark the event, some of these volunteers are today participating in a Techniquest Cardiff event to showcase and celebrate women and girls in science from companies across Wales.

Three of those colleagues, Amy-Louise, Willow and Jennifer, give an open and personal insight into their thoughts and experiences of gender equality in STEM.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

Amy-Louise:

My current role is Chemistry Team Leader. I manage the every day running of the laboratory, where I lead a team of 7 colleagues. My typical day includes planning, managing key performance indicators, investigating issues that arise in the laboratory, providing accurate and reliable results to customers and maintaining a healthy work environment for my colleagues.

Willow:

I am a Data and Analytics Manager, where I manage the Data Science Team at Welsh Water. Data is everywhere. The Data Science Team supports the rest of the business to turn data into information which helps with strategic decision making using analytical techniques.

Jennifer:

I operate as a Team Leader in the Welsh Water analytical services laboratory where I lead a team of scientists responsible for protecting public health and analysing drinking water for microbiological contaminants. My role incorporates shift and team management, managing the team and analysis of samples. I am involved in interrogating data and ensuring compliance to the required standard.

What were your experiences of learning, developing and applying your science skills during your childhood?

Willow:

Both my parents were teachers but neither of them in STEM subjects! From a very young age however, they gave us all sorts of different experiences by taking us to events, museums and setting us activities at home, many of which were science and maths based.

Jennifer:

When I was in school, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up and I don’t recall been exposed to different career paths. Then the hit TV show ‘CSI’ started and that’s when I fell in love with science. I decided I wanted to become a Forensic Scientist and I enrolled at a college and started a BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science.

Amy-Louise:

To be honest I was good at science as a child, but I never really showed an interest in science until I was around 19 years old. I became interested in the science of Toxicology and Forensics through TV. My main memories of science as a child was watching my dad complete my homework and science projects!

What do you think could be done to achieve and encourage gender equality in STEM?

Jennifer:

When I was at college studying Applied Science in 2006-2008 there was a mix of male and female students. Looking back however, all of my STEM subject teachers were male.

I think showcasing different jobs, as we are doing with Techniquest today – and through other means during the course of the year, is a brilliant idea to give schoolchildren an insight to different careers. I wish this was available when I was in school as I might have chosen science earlier in life.

Amy-Louise:

At school, where learning some of the STEM subjects are compulsory, “old-fashioned” career expectations instilled in society, potentially makes it more appealing to boys. For me, encouraging more females to pursue a career in STEM subjects could be achieved through more leading female roles in TV/Films and more influencers on Social Media, and ensuring that schools are better equipped to make links between subjects and career options. When I was at school and showed an amplitude for Science; there was no one there advising me what jobs could be available to me in the future. There was a lot of focus what I should do at college and university, but I think a lot of people need more help with the bigger picture.

Willow:

More awareness of the variety of STEM jobs. At school, I think the main STEM jobs I was aware of, were the most visible ones, such as Doctor, Vet, Engineer, and Dentist. I was much less aware of all of the other STEM roles that were out there. More female role models would have also helped. At school, I had very limited exposure to female STEM role models - most of the role models that I had were outside of the school environment.

Who were your role-models growing up?

Amy-Louise:

My dad was my role model. He was an engineer in the Royal Navy and heavily influenced my life and learning. This spurred an interest in more hands-on professions, as opposed to careers which were typically considered ‘female’ occupations. I was interested in building things, disassembling them and algebra - all of which helped me in my early scientific career.

Willow:

My female maths teacher at Secondary school. I had always loved maths but there was one teacher who really helped me to develop further. She used to hold holiday classes, which I would always attend, so that we could learn and develop further. She always supported me and believed in me - even when I didn't believe in myself. She is still someone I stay in touch with today.

I also volunteered from the age of 14 at a local vets – where I got involved in everything; including consults, surgery and farm visits. Even when I was at college, I would get a phone call from the surgery to let me know they had an interesting case, so that I could visit if I was free. I loved my time there and the vet himself instigated my interest in parasitology. This is an area that I continued to study through university and onwards to PhD level. He was someone who truly captivated me and made me want to keep investigating and asking “why”. He really moulded my future interests.

Jennifer:

My mum was and still is my role model. She brought me and my siblings up whilst working several jobs – and still works now as a Crossing Guard. She is fiercely independent and works so hard – but always has time for family. She has always supported me and even helped find me my first ever job in science.

What advice would you give a young person looking to pursue a career in science?

Willow:

Things aren’t always easy but dream big, work hard, enjoy life – and you will get there. Even if ‘there’ isn’t exactly what you had planned. You can do it - each day will take you one step closer to your goal.

Jennifer:

Follow your dreams, work hard, be patient and don’t give up. There’s going to be a few obstacles thrown at you along the way, but these challenges just make you stronger.

Amy-Louise:

Think long term. Don't think about being the best in your class at a subject you might be good at but isn't what you want to do in the future. Consider roles in advance, mould your education around your passions - not necessarily around your strengths. Your career will last for decades and you need to be truly happy.