Full STEAM Ahead
Lucy Webster knew early on that her aptitude for maths and science would guide her career choices.
“I was always really a maths, science person at school. Those were my strong suits, so I was always going to get into something to do with those,” Lucy said.
“I’ve always had this idea in my head, from when I was about 10, that I don’t want to fade into oblivion, that I want to make a difference to the greater world.
“Around Grade 10, I realised I could use maths and science to explore sustainability through engineering.”
Lucy is on that path, undertaking a student internship at Ergon Energy Network /Energex while she completes a dual degree in Engineering and Science at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane.
Just a few years out of high school, Lucy is already putting her professional aspirations into practice, working with a team focused on integrating large-scale batteries into Queensland’s energy network.
While Lucy has a clear view of where she wants her career to head in after university, she credits the Dream Big ‘STEAM Ahead’ program for helping to accelerate her journey.
Since 2014, Dream Big has provided women with opportunities to participate in free programs designed to prepare them for a successful STEAM career.
The STEAM focus conceived by Dream Big builds on the well-known Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths acronym by adding ‘Arts’ into the mix – recognising the importance of soft and technical skills for 21st century careers.
A not-for-profit with ties to more than 40 universities and tertiary organisations across Australia, Dream Big offers mentoring, career coaching, networking experiences, and employment opportunities, enabling female candidates to connect with the program’s seven industry partners (Energy Queensland, Coles, Aginic, Ausenco, Arup, Aurecon, and Shell Energy Australia).
Lucy said the 10-week program provided an instant and welcoming network of like-minded women forging new careers.
“The program is focused on developing the soft skills for your professional career,” she said.
“It’s helps you develop those skills that you don’t naturally inherit yourself - things you might not really think of, like networking skills or how to present yourself.
“I hadn’t had any experience in a professional setting, so I think it gives you those small little tips, tricks, and tools to make yourself more confident when you go into an interview situation.
“I didn’t have specific companies or specialist roles in mind when I enrolled at university, I just knew the sector I wanted to work in.
“I got my student internship and vacation placement through the skills and exposure that Dream Big gave me.
“(Ergon/Energex) reached out to me, so I didn’t really have to apply for anything, which took a big weight off my mind.”
Data measuring the progress of women in jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and maths fields indicate Lucy may be bucking a concerning trend.
A survey of 3200 young people aged 12-25 commissioned as part of the Federal Government’s STEM Equity Monitor found girls’ interest in studying and working in the four STEM areas was declining dramatically with age.
The research found that while there was a 24 per cent increase in women enrolling in STEM courses between 2015 and 2020, many of those women were not going on to graduate.
Only 25 per cent of women who enrolled in information technology graduated with a degree in that field, only 34 per cent of women graduated from their engineering course, with the figures reaching nearly 50 per cent in science-related courses.
Those who do graduate must then navigate a workforce that remains male-dominated, offers low-seniority roles, and continues to struggle with gender pay gaps.
The Albanese Government has recognised these challenges, committing to a review into the effectiveness of the various federally funded programs established to encourage women to pursue STEM careers.
Chief Scientist of Australia, Dr Cathy Foley, said the review was timely.
“We know that despite years of effort, women are still significantly underrepresented in STEM occupations, and the problem goes all the way back to the mid-school years when the participation of girls starts to drop off,” she said.
Tiahna Cave, a STEAM Ahead Program graduate with a dual degree in Data Science and Science, knows that even with more women choosing STEM careers, ingrained gender biases can still linger.
“You would hear (a lecturer) talk to the guy next to you and they were like best buddies, and then they would talk to you, and I would think ‘yes, I understand what you’re saying, you don’t need to talk to me like that’.
“I don’t think it was ever ill-intentioned…but I can still see how it could have an effect on your confidence,” she said.
Like Lucy, Tiahna was able to secure an internship with Ergon-Energex via her participation in STEAM Ahead, before going on to accept a permanent graduate position in the organisation’s Engineering/Data Solutions team.
“I’m a very big advocate of Dream Big,” she said.
“I did the program and met a few other girls from my university through the program, and we started up a Women in STEM club because they didn’t have one at our campus.
“You hear about different ways of doing things, you learn about other people’s experiences, and you feel like you have a community.
“You’re not just that one female in the class who’s hiding and doesn’t want to ask a question because you feel like everyone is looking at you.”
Dream Big founder Jessica Kahl said the program was deliberately designed to tackle the challenges associated with engagement, progression, and retention of female talent in the industry.
Delivered through a combination of Zoom chats, mentoring and coaching sessions, and networking events, the 10-week program allows participants to learn from each other and ask questions in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
“Our STEAM Ahead Program supports and better prepares women to be more skilled, confident, and qualified when entering the workplace,” Ms Kahl said.
“Having grown up in regional Queensland, I am particularly proud to provide free career development experiences to women across Australia and address disadvantages of female candidates regardless of their location, economic status, or background.
“I have learnt that even the smallest words of encouragement can make a difference to an individual’s career choices.
“I’m also a big believer in fostering diversity, as I believe this creates environments where everyone can thrive and be empowered to dream and succeed.
“Anyone can make a difference with focus and tenacity.”
Energy Queensland’s Executive General Manager of Engineering Peter Price said partnering with Dream Big provided its business with early introductions to exceptional female talent.
“In a time when there is a real battle for talent across all industry sectors, partnering with Dream Big has been fantastic for us,” Mr Price said.
“We have been so impressed with the candidates from the Dream Big STEAM Ahead Program and we are pleased to be able to match these outstanding women with valuable employment opportunities.”
