12 May 2021
Our expert guest speakers’ love of science and its practical application to improve life for individuals and the wider, even global, community, came through loud and clear in the second of this term’s careers panel events on Tuesday 11 May. The panels are part of a programme of events and activities for the wider Woldingham community to come together to support each other and provide insight and advice to ensure students thrive in their lives after school.
Our “Women in STEM” panellists, to whom we are extremely grateful for their time and insight, came from diverse and fascinating sectors: Dr Veronica Ferguson (1978), Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon; Dr Olivia Milton-Thompson (2009), Geochemist at SLR Consulting Ltd; Christy Ng (2014), Community Dentist; Dr Yvonne Maria Pinto (Parent), Managing Director at Aline Impact Ltd; and friend of Woldingham Laura Tugwell, postdoctoral research scientist, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
The panellists shared a wealth of knowledge, advice and experience with a virtual audience of students, alumnae, parents and staff. This included hearing about the reality of doing a PhD, comparisons between science in academia and the commercial sector, that science involves so much more than laboratory work, the reward gained from improving patients’ lives through problem solving and developing a treatment plan, and that whatever you may plan to do in science, you will always find opportunities to build on this and stretch yourself. We also discovered that it’s not easy to catch cows’ breath (but important when researching the spread of viruses within livestock).
This was an inspirational session from women who have made their mark in the STEM sector for students looking at a future in science – and for everyone fortunate enough to attend. A recording was made for any students or parents who missed it.