Be true to yourself – Women and Girls in Science Day

February 11 is International Women and Girls in Science Day. I would like to acknowledge this day by sharing an inspirational story. Like many of my colleagues, Dr Linda Ashton, a nuclear chemist, whom I have worked closely with for over a decade, has faced challenges and choices along the way to achieving a great career. Here is how Linda tells her story…

“When I tell people I am a nuclear scientist they look at me quizzically because I don’t fit their stereotype. It’s good to challenge the perceived norm – we won’t make any headway unless we do.

I’m a radio-chemist who develops training programs for nuclear engineers and work streams to use my technical skills. Finding success isn’t so much about luck, but taking opportunities as they arrive and being motivated. The greatest thing about my job is I wake up every day and don’t know what I will be faced with. There aren’t many jobs where you feel privileged to do the job and know you make a difference.

In school, there was a distinct lack of girls in my physics, chemistry and maths classes. Those that I did encounter were very different from me. I remember worrying that my career direction meant I was going to have to be staid, serious and androgynous to be taken seriously. That wasn’t and isn’t who I am. Perhaps it worked in my favour that at a young age I decided to be true to myself. If necessary, I would change (not necessarily break) the mould and misconceptions of what a nuclear scientist was and more importantly how they looked and behaved.

I was allowed and encouraged to explore the emotional and intuitive aspects of my psyche whilst growing up and developing into the person I am today. This helped me enormously with my job, the ability to blend reasoning with empathy, rely on my instincts, have belief and not shy from difficult decisions.

There are contentious issues that cannot be won on a technical or an emotive platform alone. I like that and ultimately I found myself doing a job that never feels like a job – and that is a true privilege. Who wouldn’t want that?”

I can relate to Linda’s story and I’m proud to call her my colleague today. I love how she is changing the stereotype of what a woman in science is like and the choices we make. How do you do that in your career? Let me know with your comments.

Watch Linda tell her story here.