Shoutout Saturdays: Anouk, Grace & Grace
What did it mean to you to be selected for this programme?
Anouk: It was really rewarding because I spent a lot of time on the application trying to figure out what I could bring and what I could take from the programme.
Grace C: To be selected from such a competitive and large programme was a rewarding feeling.
Please could you explain the programme and its aims?
Grace C: We were allocated a tutor from the programme that we met once a month. Each month we had a half an hour session with a speaker that would give interesting talks around topics like imposter syndrome or public speaking. We would then go off with our mentor and group and reflect on the talk.
Anouk: The programme was set up by Upskillme (a project that helps students showcase their talents and develop skills for life), it was created to support young girls in STEM. It can be difficult when there is an unbalanced gender ratio in the classroom and can disrupt confidence within girls. For me, I am the only girl in my physics class so it was nice to bond with other girls on the programme that was also in the same position and to create a network of friends. We got taught a lot of skills that would be useful in the workplace.
Grace C: We have a group chat and online forum on discord where we can keep in contact with the friends we have made throughout the programme. We have met quite a few people that are applying to the same courses at university which would be awesome if we end up on the same courses.
What have you found the most inspiring about the last 6 months?
Grace C: It wasn’t until the in-person celebration event at the end of the programme that it hit me how inspiring it was to be in a room full of girls that all feel so passionately about the same thing as me! It was very empowering to be around women who all love science.
Grace A: It was really cool to meet up with the girls in person at the celebration event and hear about everyone’s specific passions within STEM. One girl spoke to me about artificial intelligence, it
was interesting listening to her because I had never thought of exploring that within computer science. But now I am going too!
Were there any particular speakers or students that were particularly memorable?
Grace A: My mentor Annie runs the software for Facebook, Meta. She was really helpful and
inspiring. During our group exercises, she gave us lots of advice on how to format sentences and other really useful pointers.
Do you have plans to study STEM at university?
Grace A: I am considering doing something that combines both art and computer science which has led me to the idea of Animation or Game design.
Anouk: I haven’t completely decided but I would like to study something that focuses on chemistry
and physics, so possibly Natural Sciences!
Grace C: I want to do a degree in Biological Sciences and then specialise in Marine biology.
What advice do you have to any young people wanting to study STEM subjects?
Grace C: Do your research. I had only heard about a few career options within STEM before taking part in the programme but now I am aware there are so many careers available. My mentor is a chemical engineer that works for a company that does antigen testing which I thought was cool but never would have known it was a possibility before the programme. Also, just go for it! There are so many opportunities out there, that you are never going to know if you like – until you try
them!
Anouk: Take any opportunity that comes because you can always learn from it. The more questions
you ask the more you will find out.
Grace A: If you are worrying that you are a woman or a non-binary person that enjoys stem subjects but feel like you would fall into a minority that you shouldn’t go for it, this can be so limiting for your future. If you feel passionate about it you really should go for it. However, that might mean being the change you want to see. I think that’s awesome.
Thank you so much girls, it was great hearing about your time on the programme and best of luck with your STEM pursuits!
