In recent years, the demand for data scientists has skyrocketed as organizations recognize the value of data-driven insights. Despite increased on-ramps and educational paths to a career in Data Science, there continues to be a concern amidst this increasing demand: the underrepresentation of women in Data Science and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36% between 2021 and 2031, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet research suggests that only about 15% to 24% of data scientists are women and less than 3% are women of color. In general, there continues to be a significant gender gap in STEM roles, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce in 2023, reports the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As a woman in Data Science myself, I’ve gained valuable learning experiences that helped me overcome obstacles and excel at my career. Where should you start? And what are the most important ongoing support structures and behaviors to ensure continued success and growth?  Here are key lessons and strategies that will hopefully empower others in their journey towards success in a career in Data Science and other STEM fields. 

1. Build and Bolster a Strong Skills Foundation 

Data Science, like most STEM fields, requires a diverse range of technical and analytical skills. It is essential to develop a strong foundation in these areas to thrive in the field. At the highest levels, the skills of a data scientist largely group into three buckets: 

• Domain and business acumen (think media, retail, healthcare, etc. coupled with the ability to present, communicate, and visualize results)
• Computer science and tech chops (think programming and platform technologies – Python, R, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
• Math, methods, and quantitative reasoning (think specific techniques or areas such as unsupervised learning, NLP, supervised learning, optimization, AI, etc.) 

The combination of these three is what makes for a well-rounded data scientist. A variety of majors can be a fit for Data Science careers, but some of the most common include mathematics, statistics, computer science, economics, or a similar discipline. 

At my own company, we have also started to see candidates with undergrad and master’s degrees or specializations directly in Data Science and/or analytics. While that is what we most commonly see, you don’t need a specific degree to enter this field – most of my Data Science training has been post-college and/or on the job. The most important durable skills are the ability to think critically, problem-solve, have an innovative mindset, and demonstrate agility.  

Certifications and boot camps can be of value to help learn a skill and show evidence of investment and industry recognition. Many of these today, though, are focused on a single technology platform or application or lack some of the rigor that truly comes from applied, hands-on-keys experience. Certifications can be a means of bolstering your skillset once you are more established or developing in technical careers.

2. Create your own “Board of Directors”

Throughout my career, I have built my own “personal board of directors” based on different mentors and mentees. This includes professional mentors and peers, former bosses, friends, and those around the community. 

They are a diverse group of trusted advisors and confidants who:  

• Guide my career development 
• Provide direct, honest, and sometimes difficult feedback to help me be a better leader, data scientist, and person 
• Act as a support system when I am starting to feel doubt – reminding me of my achievements and that I earned my seat at the table
• Are experts in my domain to push me to be better 
• Provide gut checks and help brainstorm difficult problems 
• I meet and connect with my board individually and sometimes in smaller groups – many play different roles and help navigate specific situations.

There is no right or wrong number of advisors as you progress through your professional career. Starting conversations with people you already know and admire can help build your confidence and help support your development. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need from your board. I have found this group of individuals so critical to my ongoing personal and professional career development.  

3. Pay It Forward

There are several challenges that women in STEM careers face, but one that I feel passionately about is the lack of female mentors and role models in this space. Women who have succeeded in STEM careers have an opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of professionals. Becoming role models and actively participating in outreach programs and initiatives can have a profound impact.

I have always been a proponent of the three “C’s” of mentorship that many articles tout: Clarity, Communication, Commitment.

• Clarity: It’s important that the support that I can provide is going to be mutually beneficial to the person that I am mentoring, so it’s helpful to set those expectations and gain alignment on what a mentee wants to accomplish at the beginning to make sure it’s a good fit.
• Commitment: This requires aligned commitment from both parties – established at the beginning and revisited throughout.
• Communication: A trusted relationship is essential in order to foster open dialogue, transparency/honesty and feedback. Active listening, empathy and personalized approaches are also important. 

Pulling It All Together, Connecting the Dots

To recap, the strategies and actions that have been invaluable to me in building a STEM career are:   

• Networking: Join different professional groups, attend meet-ups, events in your area, and conferences. Start to make connections with other tech peers at different organizations.

• Building connections: Continue to build your personal board of directors to help you throughout your career. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to be your mentor and find a diverse group of people that are aligned to your personal/career goals. 

• Focusing on your personal development: As I have progressed in my career, I continue to dedicate time to my personal development, whether that is across my technical skills, leadership skills, or areas that are important to me personally.  Stay in a growth mindset and continue to grow and challenge yourself. 

• Staying true to your core values: One of the things that I did not do until later in my career was to spend the time to reflect and be intentional about my core values. This helps me show up as my authentic self at work, be a better leader and set the right boundaries.  

• Advocating for yourself: This is something that I’ve found to be difficult and try to be intentional about doing. Take credit for the work that you do, vocalize your accomplishments and wins; advocate for the next role that you want and be clear on your career aspirations/needs.

Building a Better World

Diversity breeds innovation. Different backgrounds, experiences, viewpoints, and approaches bring fresh insights and ideas, ultimately leading to better solutions and outcomes. Closing the gender gap in STEM roles is one example of how we can build diverse workforces. 

While there has been meaningful progress since I started a career in Data Science, there is still significant work to do to change the status quo. Acquiring the necessary skills and education, creating a supportive network of mentors and allies, and inspiring the next generation through role modeling and mentorship were crucial steps in my career journey in STEM.  

We also need leaders to recognize harmful biases and develop actionable strategies to combat them. We need to be courageous and comfortable calling out biases when we observe them. We need to change the conversations.