Welcome to another edition of STEM Demystified, a project to tackle women under-representation in STEM. This weekly Newsletter will showcase how women are conquering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics worldwide.
Today, Bonnie Tsim, Ph.D. is our STEM role model. Born in the United Kingdom, she is a digital consultant with a passion for translating complex concepts into engaging narratives and currently works for Turner & Townsend.
After completing her PhD in in Nanoscience at the University of Manchester (Twistronic Graphene at the National Graphene Institute in Manchester), Bonnie embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. She joined PUZZLE X as the Director of Communications, where she helped create their inaugural frontier tech event.
This role allowed her to leverage her scientific background to forge connections with industry leaders, scientific minds, startup founders, and other key stakeholders in the frontier tech space. Bonnie’s current role bridges the gap between her technical expertise and her creative flair for communication. She uses her strong scientific foundation, honed communication skills, and problem-solving abilities to help clients in the infrastructure industry.
Currently, she is exploring AI propositions for the construction industry, and is excited by opportunities to innovate in a typically slow-moving industry.
Dr. Tsim’s passion for science began early, and although she initially aimed for an academic career, her journey took unexpected turns. Let’s delve into her story to uncover the paths she navigated and the opportunities she embraced.
What was your trajectory from school to where you currently are professionally or academically?
While my initial plan was to pursue a traditional academic path following my PhD, I found myself increasingly drawn to opportunities outside academia during my studies. Exposure to entrepreneurship, consulting, and other fields opened my eyes to how I could leverage my problem-solving skills in new ways.
This led me to being headhunted for a fulfilling creative role in communications and marketing at a frontier tech thinktank after graduation. It was then that a friend referred me to my current corporate position, highlighting the power of networking and being open to unexpected opportunities. My career path has been a blend of strategic planning and embracing unforeseen possibilities presented by my network.
What motivated you to get into STEM? Did you have a female role model or anyone who inspired you? If so, who?
My love for science and maths started early on in school, and that curiosity has always driven me towards STEM. I’ve definitely been inspired by iconic figures like Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, but also by people closer to home. My uncle, a PhD in Computer Science, showed me the possibilities of a STEM career first-hand, which is why I was always interested in pursuing a PhD myself.
What’s your most important professional/academic achievement?
I was incredibly honoured to be 1 of 15 researchers in the UK nominated for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in 2020 and 1 of 100 people globally to be awarded a JSPS Summer Fellowship in 2019 where I conducted collaborative research at Osaka University. These achievements were significant for me because I had previously struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like I wasn’t good enough to be nominated or selected.
These recognitions served as a powerful validation of my research abilities and opened doors to new collaborations with international colleagues.
Did you face any challenge throughout your professional/academic journey? How did you overcome it?
One significant challenge I faced was transitioning my academic expertise into the industry setting. The key was demonstrating how my academic skills could translate into tangible value for non-academic audiences. To bridge this gap, I focused on highlighting transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis – all highly sought-after in any professional environment. Additionally, I emphasised the importance of science communication skills, which proved crucial for stakeholder engagement in industry.
This meant effectively translating complex topics into clear and concise language for a broader audience. I like to use the analogy that convincing a Nobel Prize winner is not too different to get stakeholder buy-in from C-suite execs at a company!
In your opinion, what needs to be done to attract more women into STEM?
Coming from an all-girls school with a strong STEM program (70% taking at least one STEM A-Level!), I wasn’t initially aware of the gender gap in these fields.
However, during my Teach Physics Internship with the Ogden Trust in 2016, a student’s comment – “I never thought STEM was an option for girls” – surprised me.
Attracting more women into STEM is about visibility that technical ability and potential in STEM is not about your sex or gender. By challenging stereotypes, we can show that STEM skills can be applied to various interests, from high tech fashion design to sustainability.
By showing young girls what is out there, and showcasing women across diverse disciplines, we can inspire the next generation of women STEM leaders and innovators.
What advice would you give to anyone looking into a career in STEM (or those who do not consider it)?
For those drawn to STEM: Dive deeper! Explore different fields and find what ignites your curiosity. Reflect on your strengths and learn as much as you can from those that have taken the path you are thinking of taking. Ask for informational interviews to gain insights into their day-to-day work and the skills they use. But don’t be afraid to pivot! Your interests can evolve, and STEM careers are often interconnected so don’t feel like you need to pigeon yourself. Also, it is worth learning about what skills will be in demand so you can future-proof yourself.
For those unsure about STEM: STEM isn’t just about equations and formulas. It’s also about problem-solving, creativity and innovation. STEM careers are often collaborative and there can be intersections with other fields. Also, success in STEM isn’t about getting straight A grades in science and maths. The best scientists I know did not necessarily get the best grades at school!
Bonnie has an incredible journey. She showed us that it’s entirely natural to transition from academia to professional services in different STEM fields and find success and fulfilment in both realms. She demonstrated how STEM skills are transferable and valuable across various careers.
So, what are you doing to challenge stereotypes in STEM? Let’s encourage young girls and women to explore and embrace their curiosity. Let’s inspire and inform them about the wide-ranging opportunities in STEM, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that validates their potential and contributions.
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