By Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith

Do you know what career path you would like to pursue? This is a challenging question for most of us, let alone a 15 year old girl. But some of our UNSW Women Champions tried to change this, speaking to Year 10 girls on their careers in STEM.

The annual STEM information day run by oncologist Dr Jodi Lynch at St George Hospital invites year 10 girls from local high schools with an interest in STEM to meet other women in STEM and hear about their career journey. UNSW Women Champs Dr Mariana Mayer, Dr Mireia Montes, Dr Emma Gibson, Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith and Dr Miriam Muñoz-Rojas all shared the highs and lows of becoming a scientist. They also had some valuable advice for the girls.

“When I was you’re age, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and that was ok,” shared Dr Emma Gibson.

“You don’t have to plan it all out, take it step by step,” said Dr Miriam Muñoz-Rojas.

“What you can bring to the science “table” is a different perspective, a new way of doing things. Creativity is key in Science and we need you help us to do it better,” said Dr Mireia Montes.

“Science is a male dominated field. We don’t say this to scare you, we say this so you are ready,” shared Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith.

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