Louise Wilson is an Associate Technical Manager at health and diagnostics company Cignpost which have been a global leader in Covid-19 screening and PCR testing.
There is a lack of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) focused jobs and there has been a big drive to try and get more women into industries such as science, engineering and technology, especially as International Women’s Day was celebrated earlier this week.
But for Wilson, she had big ambitions of becoming a scientist from an early age and she wants to encourage young girls to work in STEM, despite still being very aware of the stigma of women in these positions.
Why did you want to become a scientist?
I wanted to become a scientist because I have always had a very inquisitive personality. My head was always buried in a book when I was younger, and I did all I could to learn as much as possible about everything. As I became older, I began to focus my interest more on living things - people, animals and plants fascinated me.
As well as being intensely curious I have always been extremely driven and enjoyed a challenge, but I wanted to ensure that I had a fulfilling job too, so science seemed the perfect fit. I chose a general biology degree for my undergraduate and it was while at university that I really began to discover my passion for molecular biology.
What was it like to work in PCR testing throughout the pandemic?
Performing PCR testing throughout the pandemic has been challenging but definitely very rewarding. Due to the ever-changing rules, I had to learn to be very adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining the highest standards. Being able to help people during a really crucial time (for instance helping those who needed to travel home, or those who wanted peace of mind when visiting loved ones) has definitely been the biggest positive of the job.
How does it feel to work for Cignpost who pride themselves on two thirds of their Associate Technical Managers being women?
Working in a company who pride themselves on having a high percentage of women in senior positions is very important to me. I work as part of a team who value my input and who offer equal opportunities for development and promotion which is extremely motivating and encourages me to always strive to perform at my best.
Would you like to see more women working in STEM?
I would love to see more women working in STEM! While I am very fortunate to be surrounded by many amazing women in this company, I know that isn't the case across all companies and sectors and it needs to be addressed. The more diverse we can make the STEM workforce, the more unique perspectives we will have, leading to more or better ideas and solutions. STEM careers have so much to offer, and I think we need to eradicate the idea of these being male only industries.
What do you think needs to be done to encourage more women and girls to work or aspire to work in STEM?
I think the most obvious thing that we can do to encourage more women into STEM positions is to ensure that they have role models to look up to from a young age. When people think of famous scientists, engineers and tech giants etc. the majority of people often mainly think of men.
There are so many women in STEM at the moment who have made incredible contributions in their field, yet we often hear so little about them. By giving these women more exposure and recognition for their work, we can inspire a younger generation of girls to follow in their footsteps.
Do you think the stigma around women working in STEM is decreasing or do you still think it’s a big issue?
While I think there is improvement, I do believe there is still some stigma around women in STEM. The statistics speak for themselves as women still only make up a small percentage of the STEM workforce in many sectors, particularly engineering and computing roles in the UK. Perhaps it is because these are perceived as stereotypically male jobs and therefore young girls are often guided away or not exposed to them. This is a stereotype we really need to stop perpetuating and instead encourage young girls develop and pursue their own interests.
Are you living the dream your younger self had?
I would say that I am on my way to living the dream my younger self had. I still have so much I want to achieve, and many more milestones to hit yet! I do think that my younger self would certainly be proud of all I have done so far.
Words by Lucy Roberts for Female First, who you can follow on Twitter, @Lucy_Roberts_72.
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