5 QUESTIONS EVERY STEM WOMAN SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES IN 2022

Hi Salceologists,

Happy New Year to you! I hope the start of 2022 year has been positive and uplifting thus far. This is the time of the year where every second brand and their goldfish, will ask you about your New Year's Resolutions however, I personally do not believe in them anymore.

The truth is, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a global disruption. Every individual has been disproportionately affected at a socio-economic, mental and physical level. Every one of us has felt the emotional aftermath of changes resulting from the pandemic, in which carrying the burden of more extenuating stress has been exhausting to say the least. Setting unrealistic goals during this time is difficult and can result in the feeling of inadequacy and failure if not carried through. 

COVID-19 EFFECTS ON WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF STEM
The pre-existing gender inequality issue for women in STEM fields has been exacerbated. According to the research conducted by the Australian Academy of Science (2021) on the impact of COVID-19 on women in the STEM workforce, this is due to the changes in social demands and balancing familial expectations. Now is a critical time for reflection regarding your career trajectory. Acknowledgement of your needs to prioritise your health and wellbeing is crucial now.

I created a list of reflective questions to create self-awareness of your own career trajectory this year. These are questions I ask myself when I need a reset, to ensure I am aligned with my purpose and on the right track.

Here are 5 reflective career questions every woman in STEM should ask themselves in 2022:

1. DOES YOUR ROLE ALIGN WITH YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE?Research by the Australian Academy of Science (2021) has shown that more than 50% of the female STEM Workforce will stay in their career, if they felt emotionally fulfilled and acknowledged for their work. Our social network might have used the phrase 'job security pays the bills - not passion and purpose' however, this is farther from the truth. Yes, job security is incredibly important at this time with the current economic climate however, when you are overworked, overwhelmed and undervalued, there is always one aspect of your career that still makes you show up everyday. Do you know what that driver is?

2. HOW WILL YOU AVOID COMPASSION FATIGUE THIS YEAR?
Women who have found purpose in the health system/healing arts are known to be very empathic. However those with big hearts that work specifically with vulnerable people are more likely to experience compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is defined as the 'psychological, physical and emotional impact that comes with working with patients and clients who have victims of traumatic experiences. This can result in the negative emotional absorption of that trauma/stress to the health professional, causing emotional numbness and distress - like a secondary or indirect trauma response to someone else's suffering. Without healthy coping strategies to protect your mental and emotional health and wellbeing, this can result in burnout later down the track.
Although mistaken as one, compassion fatigue and burnout are two completely different entities. Do you recognise you individualistic symptoms for fatigue? Do you have a self-care routine in place to help you overcome this fatigue? Do you practice self-compassion or are you too hard on yourself? Do you have a positive social network around you?

3. WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU NEED FROM YOUR PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS DURING THIS TIME?
Identifying what requires priority and delegation in your life can improve overall productivity. Women are powerful influences within their communities due to their social role as caretakers and now having the ability to establish themselves into a successful career however, there is no person out there who can do it all at once, all of the time. Spreading yourself too thin beyond your emotional and physical capacity is a disservice to you and your craft and knowing your limits is a powerful indicator of emotional maturity. Where can your social network help you in regards to assistance with family and personal responsibilities, career opportunities, mental health and job security?

4. HOW WILL YOU CREATE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL WORLDS?
The pandemic has creates a blur between our personal and professional lives the past couple of years. This is due to the new concept of working from home with the adoption of online technologies, having to work within the scope of infectious disease protocols and being asked to work longer hours with a higher work demand. As the line blurs between the level of acceptability in regards to work, what will you be accepting as COVID normal this year? Is being asked to attending a Zoom meeting (that could have been an email) after 6pm a no-go for you? Is being asked to do tasks beyond your scope of practice something you will tolerate this year? Is working a few days a week on site and at home the level of flexibility you need? What steps will you take to ensure clear boundaries are set?


5. WHAT FACTORS OR CONDITIONS WOULD MAKE YOU LEAVE YOUR CAREER IN STEM?
The pandemic has created a paradigm shift in the way we look at formal STEM education, health and scientific work environments and has changed the way we look at 'job security'. Women have begun to re-evaluate and redefine what it means to be successful and accomplished in their field. What was deemed a normal work lifestyle before COVID seems unbelievable now as we enter economic 'COVID-normal' phases. Identify what your career deal-breakers are, what significators you look for to indicate that your role is not right for you and measure these aspects through the cost it has to your overall health and wellbeing. Is the cost to your mental, emotional and physical mental health worth it?

Overall, personal reflection is a very powerful skill to develop for a successful career in STEM. The field itself is demanding on our time and without even knowing, we are years into our profession, lost and confused about our next move. The beauty of these reflective prompts is that you can use them not just at the start of 2022 but throughout any time of the year you feel you need to pause, analyse and pivot your path as necessary.

Let me share this one last important life lesson I have learnt in my career in STEM: it is impossible to show up for the people we love and care about (whether that be family, friends or the vulnerable people we serve every day) if we are pouring from an empty cup. Not prioritising your own needs this year is a disservice to you, the people you love and your craft. It is your fundamental right in this lifetime to follow your path of purpose and reach your potential.  

I would love to hear what your answers are for these reflective questions below in the comments.

Angela Salcedo BSc. MPH (Global Health) Cert. IHL
Owner & Founder of Salceology

References
- Australian Academy of Science (2021), Impact of COVID-19 on women in the STEM workforce, Australia
 

1