When did your love of STEM begin?

My love of STEM begin when I graduated from university and had absolutely NO idea what I wanted to do as a career. I knew I wasn't as passionate about the environment and my peers (I graduated in environment and business studies) but I loved business. I landed my first role at a local tech startup in Waterloo, ON and had the honour of trying so many new things I didn't know I was good at. I started in an operations role in the tech sector and continued to advance my career from there. I was immediately drawn to how technology can be integrated into every industry we now come across. The idea that technology can solve everyday problems and global scale problems is extremely exciting to me!

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

The best part about working in the field of STEM is meeting so many inspirational people! I have met entrepreneurs that have put everything on the line because they believe in their technology that much, I have met students that never thought they could code before and now are creators of tech, and I have met educators that are so passionate about tech and have integrated technology solutions into their classrooms well before it was ever mandated. I love learning and hearing about how STEM has changed people's lives.

What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?

One advance I would give to young women interested in a career in STEM is to try everything! You never know what you're good at until you try. This is how I found my pathway in STEM, I would have never imagined a career building a national charity that focuses on advancing girls and women in STEM, especially when I graduated with a bachelor's degree in environment and business! Because I tried a career in tech through the non-traditional pathway, I was able to find my purpose. Technology is integrated into every industry these days and can be very rewarding!