Resources

As part of International Women’s Day, two of our colleagues, Julia Bond and Sneha Kadukuntla give their thoughts on International Women's Day and a what can be done to encourage more equality within STEM industries.

Julia Bond, Operations Team

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

International Women’s Day is a good opportunity to recognize female role models. In addition, it is opening up discussion on equality, such as current statistics surrounding women’s representation in the workplace

What do you enjoy about working in a STEM industry?

I really enjoy the challenging and varied environment and the opportunity to work alongside a wide variety of people.

What would help encourage more women to work in this kind of sector?

I think advertising career opportunities at career events would be good, also recruitment campaigns. Secondly, I think that having more female role models in senior positions within STEM sectors. Lastly, encouraging girls at a young age to pursue stem subjects if they’re interested in them. Would help.

Sneha Kadukuntla, Finance Coordinator

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

Growing up in a male centric society, I always wished to stand up as a women and for women to decide what they want to do with their life. It is because women do not celebrate who they are enough, and now that I have the freedom to make my own choices I would like to mark this International Women’s day to relish the success of all those brave women in the world and help support fellow women.

What do you enjoy about working in a STEM industry?

Being part of STEM industry gives me a chance to show women no more belong to the ‘Fragile Gender’. Working with a company like NM Group really boosts your confidence to take up more responsibility as there is always scope for you to grow without any gender bias. I progressed in this industry starting as a geospatial processor to a finance coordinator today, which involves working with some really experienced people. As technology keeps on changing in this industry, I find there is always something new to learn. The main driver of my role is feeling challenged which keeps me really engaged. I really enjoy my contribution to the company and am happy to get the chance to use my educational background to develop my career.

What would help encourage more women to work in this kind of sector?

“It’s just a myth that having natural competence in Math is required to come into STEM career, as with consistent practice and effort any individual can grow”.

Encouragement for young girls into STEM should start right from the early age where parents, teachers could recognize their interests and support to grow the potential of the child into this direction. As STEM industries seem predominantly male oriented; at the professional level in a company, management should be educated to understand the importance of diversity so women feel more included and help to the success of entire team and company. As women still make only less than 20 % in STEM industry, it is always good to highlight role models who have made so much progression, so more women get inspired to see that opportunities do exist.