Sarah has always been interested in STEM and is a strong advocate for diverse groups of women in this industry. We are delighted to have her on our blog today and are excited to hear all about the amazing work she is doing in her career!

What sparked your interest and made you want to volunteer with Girlstart?

I think that everyone should hear more about careers in STEM, but especially girls and even more specifically girls of color. Women and women of color (i.e. Black, indigenous, and people of color) are under-represented in STEM careers, so we should strive to let young women (of color) know about STEM career opportunities and provide them all the support we can!

Was there a specific person, program, or event in your life that led you to the pharmaceutical industry?

I’ve always been interested in science, and then biology class in 9th grade showed me how much I loved that kind of science. My advisor freshman year of college helped me get involved with neuroscience courses and activities, and I haven’t stopped pursuing brain-related thing since!

What are your favorite things about being a Medical Science Liason?

I love the scientific discussions I get to have with healthcare providers, the opportunities I have for learning about various neuroscience or neurology topics, and the chance – when there’s not a global pandemic – to travel while I connect with those healthcare providers.

Why is confidence in STEM important for girls?

Confidence in STEM is important for girls so they know that they can pursue any career they want to, even if it is a field dominated by men. Additionally, comfort in discussing and learning about STEM topics will lead to a more well-rounded education and more capable adults who are science literate.

What would you like to tell girls who are interested in pursuing a STEM career? What words of encouragement would you share with them?

You absolutely belong in a STEM career! Women scientists, engineers, technicians, and mathematicians have contributed groundbreaking work to various projects including landing on the moon, seeing the structure of DNA, learning about basic scientific forces, and contributing to moving humanity forward to a brighter, better future. If you don’t understand something, then that doesn’t mean that you never will; take another try, ask someone for help, or take a break and come back fresh. There are lots of things people don’t understand, and it’s not a problem if you don’t understand something. In fact, that means that you’re probably about to learn something really exciting if you just keep trying!