Choosing a STEM degree can be both an exciting and challenging journey, especially for women navigating fields traditionally dominated by men. We spoke to five women, Mahtab, Hailey, Zelda, Alexia, and Xanthe, about their experiences in studying a STEM degree, their motivations, and their advice for future generations.
Getting to know our women in STEM
Hailey, Zelda and Alexia are all current students at Brunel University of London. Hailey studies Aerospace Engineering, Zelda is a Biomedical student, and Alexia is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Design. Xanthe and Mahtab are both Alumni, with Xanthe having completed a degree in Industrial Design and Technology from Brunel University London and Mathab holding a degree in Psychology from UCL.
Motivations for pursuing a STEM degree
Not unlike many other degrees, many women decide to study a STEM subject due to their drive for a challenge and genuine curiosity of the unknown. Mahtab found her psychology studies mentally stimulating and her motivation for selecting this subject was that she wanted to learn more about people, how our minds work, and how to test and quantify this.
Inspiration to study STEM can also come from understanding your personal strengths as well as being influenced by those you are surrounded by. Hailey was inspired by a family member and her strengths in Maths and Physics. "I love to understand how different machines work and enjoy things that encourage me to use my brain to think and problem solve."
There is also a sense of empowerment that comes along with delving into a subject some may consider unusual for a woman to be interested in. Zelda echoed this sentiment, with her own recount of being a young Black women pursuing a STEM degree, "Being a woman in STEM can pave the way for others who may not have seen themselves in those fields before."
STEM is not just a numbers game; it can also combine creative elements to give those studying it a diverse range of skills. Alexia’s decision to pursue Digital Design was rooted in her diverse interests. "Before coming to university, I studied Computer Science and was always really good at Maths growing up. At the same time, I had creative hobbies like photography and 3D modelling. When it came to choosing my degree, I wanted something that could combine both my technical and creative interests."
Coming up with new ways to apply your own personal ethics to your future career can be another reason for pursuing STEM. Xanthe’s passion lay in creating sustainable solutions through technology. "I enjoyed coming up with solutions to everyday problems through the use of product design. My key area of interest was how everyday objects could be redesigned to reduce their environmental impact."
When being a woman in STEM, you’ll stand out
In recent years, STEM fields have become more diverse, but progress is slow. In 2021, in the EU, women tertiary education graduates (International Standard Classification of Education - ISCED levels 5-8), in STEM fields, accounted for 32.8% of the total graduates, +0.3 percentage points (pp) when compared with 2020 (32.5%) (ec.euopa.eu, 2025). This fact is clear as a defining characteristic of each of the courses the STEM women are pursing/pursed. Hailey loves being in STEM despite the challenges of being one of the few women in her class. "It makes you feel strong and encouraged to move forward to be among the best and stand out."
Being a minority in a field can give the sense having to prove oneself. Zelda stated, "Being a woman in STEM is difficult because you always have to go above and beyond to stand out and excel in everything you do. Some people may underestimate you because you are a woman doing a man’s job." Mahtab noted that studying psychology taught her to stand up for herself more, to be brave and bold about her work. Alexia described her experience as both fulfilling and challenging, noting some male classmates can be dismissive. "I remember one classmate trying to 'mansplain' how I should code my project, despite me clearly saying I didn’t need help. Ironically, I have a Computer Science background, and I ended up getting an A for my supposedly 'less efficient' code." Xanthe found her journey empowering despite initial doubts. "It was a bit daunting at first; however, I found it overall quite empowering. Knowing I am capable of creating new creative solutions using technology helped me feel more independent."
The importance of having women in STEM
Representation in STEM isn’t just about numbers; it’s about visibility and the message it sends to future generations. Mahtab emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion in male-dominated spaces. "Historically, there is a real risk of bias and lack of representative research data, especially in psychology. It is really important to ensure women’s perspectives and issues are considered and researched." According to UNESCO, women make up only 28% of the global STEM workforce (UNESCO, 2021). This underrepresentation can subtly influence how young girls perceive their potential career paths. Hailey believes that every individual brings different strengths and that a women’s perspective is one that should be valued. Zelda highlights the importance of diversity of thought and innovation. "Having more women in STEM can inspire future generations of girls to pursue careers in these fields, helping to close the gender gap and ensure that the workforce reflects the diversity of society." Xanthe noted the impact of limited female representation in her course. "Many of my course-mates and lecturers were men, which often put doubt in my mind as to whether I would be taken seriously within my career." Alexia shared her thoughts on representation: "It’s hard to imagine yourself in a role you’ve never seen someone like you occupy. Seeing women in STEM helps break down the idea that certain careers are 'off-limits' based on gender."
Increasing the visibility of women within STEM subjects
Mahtab believes in showing examples of successful women in STEM across various fields and roles. "We need to show a wide range of women leading by example." She also emphasised the importance of encouraging girls to engage in healthy competition, building their confidence from an early age. Hailey suggests more media representation, starting with young girls by having career meetings with female scientists and leaders, encouraging teachers and mentors to support female students actively, and promoting networking and mentorship. Zelda recommends doing more workshops and encouraging young girls to participate in STEM subjects from a young age, showing them the potential future and impact they can make in society with STEM subjects. Alexia and Xanthe agree that visibility and support are key. "I think better representation is key," says Alexia. Xanthe added, "We need more marketing towards women for these courses and more representation amongst staff as well."
Final Thoughts
The experiences of Mahtab, Hailey, Zelda, Alexia, and Xanthe highlight both the progress and the ongoing challenges for women in STEM. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the importance of representation, support, and resilience. By sharing their journeys, they hope to inspire more young women to pursue their passions in STEM and to believe that they belong in any field they choose.
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