International Women's Day spotlight

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future?

One of the ways we can crack the code for a gender equal future is already here – flexible working arrangements. We need to re-think what this should actually look like in order to increase accessibility to opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovative industries.

To me, flexible work is more than just rolling out a remote work policy. It’s about truly understanding the needs of the people you work with and how you can adapt this into the way an entire organisation works. Flexible work should be part of the furniture and not a ‘nice to have’.  

Women who work (or plan to work) in entrepreneurship and technology often face unique challenges when it comes to work-life balance, particularly in industries that reward long hours and attendance in an office. While remote work, part-time schedules and job-sharing opportunities are already creating a great impact for women in STEM, it’s still not enough to increase confidence in the younger generation to access these opportunities.

Real transformation in flexible working comes from making lots of small, consistent changes: from using project management software to provide transparency and communicate real-time updates, to automating arduous administrative tasks, and adopting a workplace model that uses the benefits of communal workspaces across the country instead of one, fixed office location that isn’t equally accessible by everyone. Using these tools minimises the number of meetings needed (even virtual ones), cuts down travel time for women no matter their location, creates work opportunities for women despite their address, and gives women full ownership of their time. 

By re-designing the way we look at rigid and traditional concepts of meetings and one fixed place of work, this gives women a space to truly own their time and their work. In my experience, I've seen this kind of trust turn into the most engaging and creative teams that have created some real impact.

What's your advice to students wanting to make a difference today and in their future careers?

My advice to students is to reach out and talk to people, no matter their background. When I was a law student, I was already a little shy when it came to networking events. And when I did put myself out there, I only really spoke to people in the same industry or with the skills I already knew I was looking for. 

While I learnt so much from the mentors I met during that time, it also meant that I was stuck in what I already knew and I didn’t really learn to step out of my comfort zone. For a while, this narrow approach of looking at my future career restricted me from learning new skills and keeping an open mind to new ideas (and actually delayed my entry into the legal technology space that would later become the focus of my career).

When I eventually started talking to different people from different backgrounds and experiences, it was eye-opening. One experience led me to another, and one connection introduced me to another. Eventually I found myself in a small startup with like-minded creative and hard-working individuals who also believed legal services should be simpler (and 5 years later, we became the top ranked legal business in the Financial Times APAC High Growth Companies!).

Who inspires you most?

I didn’t have many role models when I was younger, but since starting my professional career I can say that the mentors I have met along the way have inspired me the most. 

When you work in such a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry, I’ve found that having mentors are a powerful source of inspiration and support to help keep you grounded as you navigate the complexities of your career and the opportunities ahead of you. 

I’ve had the privilege of working directly with startup founders, senior lawyers and industry leaders who have been able to share their expertise with me as I’ve refined my technical skills, learnt to adapt to different ‘soft’ skills that have helped me tremendously in my professional career and consolidated my career goals. 

My mentors continue to inspire me every day as I see the impact of their management, mentorship and support on the younger generation and I find that such mentorship can sometimes be equally important (if not more important) than the experience itself. 

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future?

Let’s start with those in power, sharing power. Simple to say but very hard to do. Those in power tend to want to keep power as though it's an all or nothing, zero sum, win/lose equation when it's actually a win/win for all. Let's start with an open, transparent, discussion around how gender roles exist in various industries, for both women and men. Equal access to opportunity. Shake up the stereotypes. Also, let’s not forget that a gender equal future isn’t colour blind. There are multiple layers of equality that we need to crack and for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), there is also a further layer to crack (and there are more), which has often been an afterthought throughout the fight for women’s rights. Here at CareerTrackers, we’ve heard stories through our Young Indigenous Women in STEM Academy, a cohort of over 100 incredible students and Alumni, where they are the only women on a large project, or there are no female toilets on site. We have also heard empowering stories through recent events on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja, where Pam Melroy, one of two women to command a space shuttle with NASA in the USA, spoke to the young women in the STEM Academy who were interested or involved in careers within aerospace engineering. She shared stories of challenging people when she was the only woman in a boardroom meeting, and that this representation fueled her passion for change. When we can ‘see her’ we can ‘be her’ and we know our CareerTrackers interns and Alumni are part of leading this change.

What's your advice to students wanting to make a difference today and in their future careers?

Do what makes you happy, follow your values, and break the gender norm. We always say this at CareerTrackers, First Nations people are the oldest living storytellers, nurses, botanists, and engineers - tap into this knowledge with pride. I’d also say, especially to those women who come from privilege and opportunity, be curious, critical and self aware. Don’t leave anyone behind. To the good men and boys, ask yourself whether you’re doing enough. What more can you do to make today and tomorrow a better place for your wives, partners, mothers, sisters, nieces, aunts, friends?

Who inspires you most?

Indigenous Elders and activists that paved the way. The next generation that is coming through. Stories of interns in our Program, who have traveled from Zenadth Kes to study Bachelors of Science, with English as their second language. Bringing their lived and learned experiences to projects with cultural protocol coming first, and technical skill coming second to support the operations. There’s so many brave old people and young people who are still fighting for what’s right to make the path easier for the next generation, and this is something we can all be proud of and draw inspiration from.

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future?

Cracking the code for a gender equal future has a very simple formula to follow. It requires all of us to show up, every day, and continue to do the work that uplifts women and other gender non-conforming folks even when there is no spotlight, glamour, or recognition. If we treat every day with the same significance and acknowledge how industries and workplaces, or communities may be failing to support women then we will be compelled to erase the gap. The real work happens when we must make those small, difficult decisions and don’t have the solutions – doing the hard thing in the inglorious moments is where the greatness happens. And when you are doing the hard things to push for change – recognize and remember that you are never genuinely alone. There are other allies, women and communities backing you so you can create a better environment for women to crack the code on their own. 

In your opinion, how can students with equal access to education and technology help create change for those who don't? 

As a student, the most powerful tool we must make change is the power to share. Share through action, share through words and share through practice. Those with access have the power to share their resources, knowledge, skills and opportunities with other people who may not have access to them and create an opportunity for people to have equitable access. Creating a world around us that is kind, not driven by constant comparison and competition will allow everyone, especially students to feel comfortable in learning how to uplift everyone. After all, the goal isn’t to speak over other people but to pass the mic on so they can write their own stories.

Who inspires you most?

It may be cliché, but the answer will never change – my parents. To have the opportunity to be my authentic self, to be bold and adventurous – I have had to come to terms with my fright and apprehension. And it only happened because of the ongoing, tireless, constant support from my parents – who were there for me rain, hail or shine even if I did not believe in myself in the moment. They have always been the kind of people who turned nothing into everything for me and to me – that is absolutely inspiring.  

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future? 

I believe there are a lot of ways to crack the code for a gender equal future. While a lot has been done over the last few decades, there’s still a long way to go - particularly in the area of technology. 

Currently, approximately 327 million fewer women than men worldwide have a smartphone and can access mobile Internet. While some may see access to a smartphone and mobile internet as inconsequential, it is the opposite. We live in the digital world and it is important that all people have the tools and education to navigate this world. Providing greater access pathways, education and innovation is this area would help to close the digital gender gap and result in greater representation of women at all levels.

In your opinion, how can students with equal access to education and technology help create change for those who don't? 

In my opinion, the first thing students can do to help create change is to use the resources they have access to, to educate themselves on the extent of the issue. This research will help them to understand the complexities of the issues and answer important questions like why the disparity exists, what factors exacerbate the issues and how to educate others. This understanding will them help to generate and involve themselves in innovative and effective ideas to help create change for those who don’t have equal access to education and technology.

Who inspires you most? 

My mum inspires me the most. I could write thousands and thousands of words about her but I will try to keep it short. She’s a woman who does it all: raising two children alone as a single mother; being a woman in STEM; excelling in a male-dominated career industry despite being an immigrant, POC and a woman; breaking out of oppressive cultural norms, handling varying challenges and still always being there for my brother and I. She does all that and more. My mum is the strongest, smartest and most positive person I know and shows me every day that women can do anything. Everything I know, I owe to her. 

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future? 

I believe one important thing we can all do in order to crack the code towards a gender-equal future is by reflecting on our own actions and perceptions and ensuring we are not perpetuating harmful or hurtful ideas, even if they are seemingly small and insignificant. The path towards a gender-equal future is an uphill battle, but the first step is making sure that we are able to stick with the program ourselves.

In your opinion, how can students with equal access to education and technology help create change for those who don't? 

Students with equal access can create change for those without the same privileges by responding to calls for help, or even taking the initiative to reach out to those requiring some assistance and following through. It's one thing to advocate and call for change, but the real impact comes from making those changes ourselves whenever we can.

Who inspires you most? 

One person who has always inspired me is Marie Curie. Despite so much tragedy occurring within her lifetime, and her work eventually causing her death, she still powered through and made history as an extremely successful and innovative scientist, and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. It reminds me that no matter how hard the road ahead may be, it will still be worth it in the end.

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future? 

To crack the code on gender equality, we need to think of gender in relation to all the other things and to ask: equality to what? Is the thing we are trying to be equal to enough or do we need to think and dream bigger? 

In your opinion, how can students with equal access to education and technology help create change for those who don't? 

In a world impacted by so much inequality, education remains a powerful force for change.  Alone, education cannot shift big inequalities, but it can reveal horizons, opportunities and relationships that will empower individuals to transform themselves and their communities.  

Who inspires you most? 

Mother earth.  All justice questions should lead us back to the natural world that was so beautifully cared for and governed by Indigenous peoples for millennia.  

What ways do you believe we can crack the code for a gender equal future?

One key way is by providing equal access to education. Equal access to education is crucial in ensuring women and girls have the skills and knowledge needed to pursue their goals and contribute to society. For example, encouragement and support for girls to develop and pursue interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths, (STEM) from a primary school age, will ultimately result in more girls completing tertiary studies and undertaking careers within STEM industries which have traditionally been heavily male dominated.

Why is access to education and technology so powerful in creating a gender equal future?

When women have access to education they are exposed to new ideas and perspectives that challenge gender stereotypes and biases and will lead them to question and challenge traditional gender roles.  

Technology allows people to work and learn from anywhere almost as if they were in the office, which can be particularly beneficial for women who may have family or carer responsibilities. Access to technology can help women balance their work and home lives, giving them more control over their time. This level of flexibility was not possible just 10 years ago. 

Who inspires you most? 

My 8-year-old daughter. She jumps at every opportunity presented to her and gives it 110%. I’m inspired by her optimism, energy, innocence, courage, inquisitive mind and ability to use technology!