LSU College of Science: What advice do you have for female students looking to go into STEM fields?

Julie Butler: Do it! There are definitely jerks out there, and the status of women in science may not be equal to that of men quite yet, but it’s getting better. Don’t let it discourage you! Passion and enthusiasm go a long way and make overcoming some of these obstacles a little bit easier.

Kelcee Smith: Don’t be afraid to get outside the box to gain new experiences or skills. Sometimes the best career moves don’t involve money. Gather a support system and keep these people close. Get ready to work hard. Remember that no one can steal your drive or passion. Set goals, make a plan, and write down the steps – where do you want to be in 5 years?

Cassandra Skaggs: Find a topic you enjoy, and then talk to someone who does exactly that! Ask them how they got to where they are and what opportunities exist. Ask them what classes you should take or how best to write a resume and cover letter for employers in that field. Ask and learn. The responsibility falls to you to be persistent. I once waited outside of a professor’s classroom because he was too busy to meet with me but I figured he could walk and talk. By that summer, he was my first mentor and I had a paid undergraduate research job in his lab.

LSU College of Science: How can we help women have positive experiences in STEM careers or scientific research?

Julie Butler: One of ideas that our group has really tried to push is that mentoring and support are key to promoting women in science. As the saying goes, you can’t be what you can’t see. This is especially critical for young girls, who often look for examples of role models in the careers they want to pursue. The same thing happens to adult women too. For example, if a woman never sees another woman higher than her on the ladder in her field, she might think, subconsciously, that she can't get there. This often results in imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, and not asking for promotions, even among the most qualified women. The best way to remedy this situation is to keep women moving into higher, more leadership-oriented roles. It’s essential to have strong female role models in science and mentors and communities that are equally supportive, in order for women in STEM to be successful at all levels.

LSU College of Science: From your perspective, what can male colleagues do to help promote gender diversity in STEM?

Julie Butler: This has been a big focus of our organization over the last year. We are lucky enough to have great male colleagues interested in supporting and promoting women in science. I think one of the easiest things for male colleagues to do is to understand the issue and learn about their own implicit biases. The next step is doing something about it. We host an open meeting once a semester and encourage everyone to attend. Through these meetings we’ve had great conversations between male and female faculty members about what they can do to encourage and support their female graduate students and workers.

Kelcee Smith: Men in STEM are the closest allies for women in STEM and they can play a critical role in a variety of ways. They can support women at different stages of their careers, encourage them to pursue their own ideas and interests by giving them respect and honest feedback, and they can speak up for them outside of science. We’re all on the same team anyway – the STEM team – and we have to work together in order to be the best we can be.

LSU College of Science: What inspires you personally to continue your career in STEM / scientific research?