"Why does ice float?"

On Friday I had an interesting conversation with two of my colleagues about why they entered the field of STEM.

Holly is still at the very beginning of her career in STEM. Holly joined UKRI as an apprentice and through her hard work and dedication she has been rewarded with a full-time role with the Digital, Data, and Technology directorate. Holly explained to me that although she had studied Digital Media at GCSE, she had not actively sought a role in STEM. Her route into STEM was due to a Recruitment Agency placing her in a role with the opportunity for a Business Administration Apprenticeship. Now she is working here as a full-time employee she can see UKRI is where she wants to develop her career further.

By contrast Parul is a vastly experienced Solutions Architect who has come through the ranks of Software Development. I asked her “Why STEM?” She said when she was a child her father would ask her questions such as “Why does ice float?”; her curiosity would get the better of her and she would need to find out the science behind it. During her school days she opted to take “Boys Craft” classes. Even the title of this class is a poor indictment of the world we used to live in. Parul continued her interest in STEM throughout University and into her working life. After 20 years in Technology, I asked her if she had the chance, how would she do it differently. Her answer was simple, I would want to speed up my career, take the opportunities presented and be where I am in my career today, sooner.

What I learned from these calls is that both my colleagues have curiosity, drive, and ambition.

The moral to my story is take your opportunities and follow your curiosity.

If you’re curious about a career with UK Research & Innovation please visit https://bit.ly/UKRIUCD for our current opportunities.

#STEM #STEMCAREERS #UKRI #Recruitment #InternationalWomensDay