Empowering Women in STEM

Throughout the globe, STEM careers exist. However, in some countries, particular STEM careers have been male-dominated while in other countries no gender biases exist as it relates to STEM careers. One common trend which occurs throughout the world is that women who are working in these STEM related fields typically leave after about five years. Contrarily, it has also been uncovered that more women stay in these fields when we all work together.

Empowering Women in STEM: Working Together to Inspire the Future provides a platform to share the stories of those who have been in STEM careers but have pivoted to other areas by utilizing the STEM skills they learned. It bridges the gap between those who are thinking about entering or leaving STEM careers, along with those who want to encourage others into STEM careers. This book showcases how everyone’s journey is different, some may have unexpected twists and turns while others appear to conform to the "normal" rules outlined by society. By offering a front-row seat on a journey that takes many different paths, this book provides advice that can lead to a STEM career with or without having a STEM background. The different roads taken are highlighted to show how everyone’s path is unique and how that is okay.

With the upcoming generation constantly looking for ways to "fit in" or be able to identify with role models to help them chart their way forward, this book ensures that they have not just one, but a variety of role models and success stories to relate to. It also offers some key advice which can be applied to any field they choose. In addition to having women and men from across the globe share their stories about various fields, this book also is written for professionals who may be considering a switch of career or deciding to leave STEM, and for university students who are trying to figure out their career choices and paths to take to gain more insight into possible new career goals in STEM.

Sanya Mathura is the Founder of Strategic Reliability Solutions Ltd based in Trinidad & Tobago. She works with global affiliates in the areas of Reliability and Asset Management to bring these specialty niches to her clients. She has a BSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering and an MSc in Engineering Asset Management. Sanya has worked in the machinery lubrication industry for the past decade and assists various industries with machinery lubrication-related issues. Sanya is the first person (and first female) in her country and the Caribbean to attain an ICML MLE (International Council for Machinery Lubrication, Machinery Lubrication Engineer) certification as well as the first female in the world to achieve the ICML VPR & VIM (Varnish and Deposits Prevention & Removal, Varnish and Deposits Measurement & Identification) badges. She can always be found supporting and advocating for women in STEM.