We recently spoke with Emma Bould, an incredible STEM leader who offered some great advice for those looking to enter the industry. Emma, who has had a remarkable career spanning engineering, the Navy, and life sciences, exemplifies how women can break through the barriers. In our recent interview, Emma shared insights from her own experiences, offering valuable lessons for women pursuing STEM careers.
Navigating diverse career paths
Her openness to new roles and experiences led her to transition from the Navy into construction and then the life sciences industry, where she has worked at major companies like GSK. This adaptability is a vital lesson for women in STEM fields, particularly given the diversity of careers that STEM qualifications can open up.
Overcoming gender barriers
Despite these challenges, Emma has remained resilient and determined to succeed. She highlighted the importance of developing confidence and a sense of competence early on. “I felt like I had something to prove,” she explained. This mindset helped her push through some challenging situations, not only being one of the few women in her field but also overcoming systemic issues and bias within the organizations in which she worked.
Emma’s reflections also underscored the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in helping women succeed. While mentorship offers guidance, sponsorship is about actively advocating for someone’ when they are not present, and it has a huge influence on a person’s career advancement. Emma noted that having both was critical for her and it continues to be important to have allies with a seat at the table in environments where women are still often underrepresented.
She also encourages companies to invest in formal leadership training for all employees, regardless of gender, to help increase understanding and awareness of how to level the playing field.
Balancing work and personal life
In her MBA dissertation, Emma focused on the lack of women in engineering leadership and the factors that contribute to this, known as the ‘leaking pipeline.’ Through interviews and focus groups, she identified that many women leave STEM careers during mid-career, often because of a lack of flexibility in working options.
“Engineering hasn’t traditionally been structured to accommodate part-time roles or job shares. With paternity leave and shared parental leave being relatively recently introduced, the engineering profession hasn’t been driven to modernize as quickly as others, which can make it more difficult for women to return to engineering roles after maternity leave,” she explained.
However, Emma remains hopeful that change is on the horizon. “I think we’re seeing a shift. The more men taking parental leave, the more the gender norms around caregiving break down.” For Emma, supporting men in taking an active role in childcare can alleviate some of the burdens women traditionally face and help retain women working in engineering fields.
Emma stresses the need for more organizations to challenge themselves to think differently and offer flexibility, especially in industries where women are vastly underrepresented.
Mental health and wellbeing
In STEM careers, where high-pressure environments and long hours are often the norm, managing stress and avoiding burnout is crucial for long-term success. Emma learned to set boundaries, ask for help, and take time off when needed. “It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to do everything perfectly, but that’s just not sustainable.”
Her message to women in STEM is clear: taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness but one of strength. She advocates for building a strong support network at work and at home, and ensuring that mental wellbeing is a priority for both individuals and organizations.
Leadership and career growth
Throughout her career, Emma has found that strong leadership can make or break an organization. During her career and in her most recent role as an advisor, she has observed the root cause of many of the productivity issues; employee dissatisfaction, engagement and retention often boil down to poor leadership. Emma’s military background gave her a unique perspective on leadership, particularly in high-stress, high-stakes environments.
Emma also highlighted the need for companies to invest in the leadership development of women in engineering. She argued that it’s an important part of driving equity, and when companies fail to nurture female leaders, they are missing out on the diversity of thought and perspective that women bring to the table.
Advice for women entering STEM
- Trust your instincts: Your instincts often reflect your values. If something feels wrong, take the time to reflect on why that is and act accordingly.
- Be brave: Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Being brave and taking risks is essential to career growth and while that can feel uncomfortable, taking the easy road is you holding yourself back.
- Embrace opportunities: Stay open to new opportunities, even if they weren’t part of your original plan. Sometimes, the best career moves come from unexpected places.
Emma Bould’s career is a testament to the resilience, adaptability and determination needed to succeed as a woman in STEM. Her journey offers valuable lessons not just for women in these fields but for any individual seeking to overcome barriers and thrive in their careers.
