Advice

Let’s admit it, reading scientific papers can be so overwhelming! But, if we take the right approach, we can navigate them effectively and avoid getting lost in the technical jargon and concepts.

Are you stuck looking for scholarships and grants? Do you have no idea where to get started? Take a look at our guide to help you!

So, you’ve got the work experience or internship of your dreams, congrats! Now, how do you prepare so that you can make the most of it?

Knowing the big goals you want to achieve in your life is a great feeling. However, it can be overwhelming to know there are lots of steps ahead of you before you reach them.

Find out all about Aerospace engineering. What is it? Why should I consider it? Why is it such an exciting field?

In a busy world, you might feel like there’s no time for learning and exploring. And before you give up reading, we don’t mean learning at school.

We spoke to Beth, an Apprentice Software Engineer alumna, to find out what life as an MI5 apprentice is really like!

So you’ve just graduated from a maths undergraduate degree, what do you do now? Lily from GCHQ is here to tell you about her journey.

Going to a university open day can be quite overwhelming. I almost toured the country on open days so I’ve picked up some good strategies along the way.

Going to university is an exciting new chapter in your life. Of course, we’ve got to physically prepare first. Here’s a list of some things I thought of…

Want a career in STEM but don’t think you have the right qualifications? Think that you need to study STEM to work in a STEM field? Then this article is for you!

Have you tried moodboards and they don’t work for you? Or you’re just not sure where to begin on working towards your goals? Maybe it’s time to give OKRs a go!

We’re sharing some of our favourite tips we’ve gathered across the years, and we’re sharing them with you to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2024!

Have you ever wondered if university is the right choice for you? Do you enjoy hands-on learning? Maybe it’s time to consider an apprenticeship!

Do you want to be an active change agent? Do you want to make sure sustainability is part of your job? Find out how you can embed sustainability into your job, whatever the role.

In a world that increasingly demands specialization, STEM fields often seem distant from creative endeavors. However, it’s essential to recognise that art and STEM are not mutually exclusive.

Here are some tried and tested suggestions from experts to help get you started with your networking session to help take the pressure off you.

So, you’ve done the hard part (the job interview) and you’ve got the job! Now, how do you make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible and make those good first impressions?

In this article, read more about how your career choices can help others.

Ever wondered how you can make your dreams come true? Learn all about manifestation and visualisation here.

Accessibility is a word we hear often, but what does it actually mean? How can we make our work more accessible to others?

Are you going into the world of work? Are you confused about what steps you should take to get there and how to get the opportunities in the first place? Read this article by Clementine from Ocado Technology to get all the answers you need!

Have you ever thought that your success has been the result of luck or timing? Perhaps you’ve felt like you don’t deserve to be where you are. You are not alone. Many people have imposter syndrome.

Meet Amy, a Principal CX Consultant at Alida, and find out all about what it means to work in Customer Experience!

Do you feel nervous when you’re presenting? Would you rather do anything other than speak in front of people? Find out how to make presentations easier!

Here are some practical steps to help you stay calm and relieve stress during your exams.

Read this article to figure out whether a BTEC might be the right step for you!

Meet Lattika, a Senior Project Manager at Alida, and find out more about what her day-to-day looks like.

Meet Sarah, who provides us with inspiring quotes to carry through the day, to make sure you get the most out of STEAM.

An article for young women who are worried that they’re not on the right path, or feel as though their extra-curricular skills are not helping them towards their chosen career.

Meet Christine from Thales as she explains to us why we should choose BTECs, A-Levels or Apprenticeships for our future careers.

Have you ever considered a career in engineering? We’ve included our top tips for breaking into the world of engineering as a young person.

Climbing the traditional corporate ladder, rung by rung, works for a lot of people. However, there are other options.

Find out what to look out for, good and bad, when you are attending university open days and choosing a course.

Graduates having a change of heart about their future career paths isn’t uncommon. Is it possible to pursue a STEM career with a non-STEM degree?

Going to university is an exciting new chapter in your life. At university, you’ll have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, maybe even move to a new city and delve much deeper into your subject.

Students have lots to juggle nowadays, not just their schoolwork. Focus on the end goal and try to visualise what you are trying to achieve!

Whether you are planning to go abroad or have a staycation sorted, here are 2 ways you can make the most of summer 2022.

Mature students often find it difficult to get back into the swing of studying. Every year, thousands of mature students make the crucial decision to continue their education

If you have ever been interested in applying for an American university whilst living in the UK and you’re not too sure where to begin, take a look at our guide to applications for American universities.

Whether you’re going for a semester or a year, there are some things you need to know before you study abroad. Read this post so that when the time comes, you feel prepared and confident.

It appears in almost every aspect of life and careers in STEM are increasing at an amazing rate. But that does not mean you need your whole career planned out before university to be able to work in a STEM field.

Moving to a new secondary school can be a daunting process, there’s a lot to get your head around so we are here to break it down and help you get through this big move.

If you don’t know what your school offers, guess what – you have to ask. Your teachers may know or will be able to find out the school’s current policy regarding work experience. 

Dr Kate Bridge, Head of Physics at a school in Elstree shares advice from students and teachers about how to be successful in the move up to A-level.

As part of our bootcamps, we spoke to Kiu Sum about why networking is so important.

As part of our Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, we heard from Temi Olukoko who works as a software developer, about what it means to have a professional online presence.

It’s OK. Everyone makes mistakes, it’s human nature. Mistakes can be used as a good opportunity to learn, grow, nurture and lead.

Unless you’re an absolute superstar, applying for a role that’s perfect for you, you’re still going to have some questions you will struggle with.

Life is incredibly hard and stressful at times. So, how do we stop feeling so much pressure and help us feel a little less overwhelmed? Here are a few tips.

It’s midnight, and I’m still finishing an essay that’s due at 9 am. We’ve all been there. And we know that working all hours of the night and day isn’t good for anyone.

So you’re considering whether to move to a new school? Or you’ve already made your choice and are looking for helpful tips!

“You can choose to be all of those things and you can add more too. You have the ability to choose what you want each and every day of your life and that is a gift, cherish it.”

The university versus apprenticeship debate is a big one. University is more traditional, but more people are looking at apprenticeships.

It can be so difficult to know what to do or who to talk to when you’re not enjoying your subjects. But don’t fear, Kristina Young is here to help.

As a twenty-something working professional, living a “productive lifestyle” is a common aspiration. But what does this “productive lifestyle” boil down to, and why can it improve your life?

The change from physical to digital events is one that will stick around. So, we have compiled a list of how to network on Microsoft Teams.

Have you ever felt like you have too much on your plate- that your workload is getting bigger whilst your time is getting shorter? Have you ever felt like you are making loads of little mistakes you wouldn’t normally make? You might have suffered from burnout.

It took me a long time to get past my blinking cursor. I did almost anything I could to avoid it. Looking out the window, making a tea, writing plans, checking social media… you name it, I did it. But over the years, I’ve learnt a few ways of getting past a creative block.

When I was at school, I used to think that I knew what Engineering was. It was where people put on boiler suits, grabbed spanners and fixed machines… right? I didn’t realise how wrong I was until the start of Year 11.

Communication skills are the ways we give and take information from others verbally and non verbally. They are important in our daily lives and also when we enter the workplace.

“For my book, The Shuri Effect: Bridging the Gap for Young Black Women in STEM, I read loads of research, interviewed many generous Black women and reflected on my own STEM journey. All that (and many edits later), we have a book. These are 5 facts I learned while writing it.”

Our nerves can feel worse when we feel as though the people listening are bored, or as if they can’t wait for it to be over more than we do! Therefore, the tips here will help you to grab the interest of your audience and let your passion for your subject shine through.

As part of our Associates Bootcamp we spoke to Claire Price who is a Postdoctoral researcher in the BEACON project, about how you can prepare for a presentation.

Rachel from Covéa shares their top tips which she has learnt throughout her journey of ups and downs: School and education can be tough but it doesn’t define you.

Time is an asset that we all have an equal amount of. But it seems that some people are able to use it better. Is it possible to learn that and where to start?

Choosing GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs, etc., or even which degree to take can be difficult and stressful. So how can you make sure you make the right decisions without regretting them?

Struggling to decide what it is you really want to focus your research on? Overwhelmed with the amount of choice? Unsure where to start? We know how it is.

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you do, you can’t get to the bottom of your to-do list? The truth is, that we cant ever change time but what we can change is how we look at the time and how we use it.

Do you feel like some days you have all the motivation in the world, and then absolutely none the next? We feel you.

The first step to exploring opportunities in STEM is by understanding what it is that you really want. What are your motivations? What are your strengths?

If you are applying for a University undergraduate course in the UK, you will need to apply through a tool called UCAS. All UK based universities use UCAS for their applications and you can apply for up to 5 different courses or universities.

Most Importantly… Do Not Panic… I repeat, do not panic. The first and most important piece of advice we can give you is to not panic.

There are many things you will learn throughout your life. This letter covers only a fraction of that.

Sometimes it can be hard to know whether to prioritise experience or education when it comes to finding a new job, here is Marie’s advice on what she has found most useful.

As part of our Associates programme, we heard from the Mathematics graduate Dionne, who explained how we can get the most out of our networking experiences.

On the 8th of April, as part of our Easter Explore programme, we spoke to Dr Rasha Gadelrab about what it means to have a portfolio career.

As part of our Associates Bootcamps, we spoke to Carla Riddell from Spirit Energy, who gives us the inside scoop on how to make our presentations the best.

Congratulations, you’re starting a new career. Scary isn’t it? Don’t stress. Help is at hand.

On the 15th of February, Stemettes heard from Vodafone as part of our February Explore programme. They told us all about CV’s including what a CV is, and why they help you land the job of your dreams.

Best of luck to everyone receiving their GCSE results today!

As part of our Associates Programme, we heard from Rachel Grant and Doris Webb from Computacenter who taught us their top tips for building a LinkedIn profile.

On the 15th of February, as part of our February Explore programme, Stemettes partnered with Vodafone to let you know everything about applying for jobs.

Teamwork seems to have become a buzzword these days. Let’s delve into why it’s so key in industry and academia.

On the 17th of February, for our February Explore Programme, we spoke to Jacinda Fahey from G-Research on what it means to be resilient, and why it is an important lifelong skill.

We’ve all been there; trying to cram information for that exam that’s coming up, but nothing seems to be absorbed.

Leaving university is daunting; it’s a complete upheaval of your life and there’s an ever-present pressure to find a job.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we wanted to signpost you to some useful links for when you need them.

It’s one of the most common questions in an interview, so it’s a good idea to prepare for this question so it doesn’t throw you off.

With so many of us completing our coursework (and work-work!) from home, isolated from others, it is a particularly challenging time to navigate. So how do you stay motivated, especially in an era of such uncertainty?

On the 18th of February 2021, as part of our February Explore Programme, Manila and Mike came to talk to us about what Imposter Syndrome is as well as ways to reduce its impact.

The short answer is both. But that’s not particularly helpful, so let’s take a deeper look.

Most of us are working or studying from home at the moment. So how do you manage your time to make sure you still have time to relax in the evening?

Ok, so you know you want to be in a STEM career. You know that there will be challenges along the way as a woman. You also know you’ll have a career filled with opportunity and adventure!

Some students find it hard to choose which GCSE subjects to test in. If your school has a long list of them, you may have your pick of favourites. On the other hand, you might look over that list and wonder why the exams you want to sit aren’t on it.

Do you ever feel guilty for spending more time on one than the other, and if so, how do you combat that?

So, you’ve completed the job application and you’ve been offered an interview, well done! Now let’s focus on your interview skills to get you that new job.

STEM is such a wonderful and expansive field that is guaranteed to captivate anybody.

I’ve just finished a Maths degree and as much as I love Maths, I can tell you that studying it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

“I have been asked many times, why the career change? I have been staring at these words on the page for 20 minutes ‘why the career change’, what do I say to that? Then I realised, it is not a career change, this is my career.”

From procrastination to coping with pressure, Phebe talks through her route to Research Technician.

In this letter, Emily has great advice for keeping yourself motivated and believing in yourself.

Sometimes the hardest part of a networking session can be thinking of questions to ask role models.

On the 24th of August, Stemettes had the opportunity to speak to the STEMazing Isabel Garvey, the managing director at Abbey Road Studios. She talks us through the skills she has gathered along the way to lead her to where she is today.

Three STEMazing role models joined Stemettes on the 10th of August to tell us about the path they have taken throughout their life to where they are today.

On the 11th of August, Karisma and Mira from Bank of America spoke to us about their fast-paced jobs and busy lives, and how they incorporate self-care rituals and routines into their day to make sure they stay happy and healthy.

On the 14th of August we heard from two employees at Bank of America, Sinead and Mimi, as they talk us through a day in their life.

Here are a few pieces of advice shared between colleagues and managers.

As exams fast approach, here are some handy tips from members of our Stemette Society to help you through this exams season…

You’ve probably heard a million times by now that, learning a foreign language can improve your employment prospects.

Like many others in year 11, you may be struggling to decide what to take for your A levels. One of your options is an Extended Project Qualification.

So you already know the basics… You are prepared, you’ve done your research and have practised answering common interview questions.

GCHQ joined us for a few sessions of Outbox 2020. Here, Sam, a Data Scientist from GCHQ talks to us about finding your motivation.

Meet Sophia and find out what it’s like to be a Linguist at GCHQ and how she got here.

An agile mindset is the set of attitudes supporting an agile working environment.

Congratulations, you got an interview! Now it is time to prepare for it, here are a few tips on how to do it. 


On the 13th of August, Stemettes heard from three STEMazing mentors at Bank of America to hear about their skills, tips, and experiences with mentorship.

LinkedIn is a fantastic tool to use to network and promote yourself to potential employers, but it can be daunting when you first set up your profile.

Head of HR and Recruitment Edition. A letter covering everything from family, to university to believing in yourself.

Choosing a university can seem quite daunting. There are a lot of factors to consider and many will depend on your individual preferences.

Writing a personal statement is a little daunting for all of us, so I’ve put together this guide of tips and tricks, which I picked up while writing mine. I’ve split these tips into three different sections: things to put on your personal statement, planning and writing, and editing. So let’s get into it!

There is a huge misconception that the only way you can get into STEM is through doing the traditional route which is completing college/sixth form and then attending university to study a STEM subject.

In computer science GCSE, you will be studying both theory and practical.

Writing a personal statement is a little daunting for all of us, so I’ve put together this guide of tips and tricks, which I picked up while writing mine.

Let’s be honest no one really enjoys networking but it is definitely a crucial skill to help you build your career.

Is the fear of doing something keeping you from being your true self and living to your full potential? Here are several tips to help you believe in yourself…

This is a really important question that people do not ask themselves enough.

Deciding if you want to take a gap year is tricky, deciding what to do on that gap year is even trickier, Laura is here to help you.

‘Believe you can and you’re halfway there’ – ever heard that expression? There’s a lot of truth to it but believing in yourself is not always easy.

Making decisions about the next stage of your education is always daunting, whether it’s your GCSEs, A-Levels or for further education.

From GCSE’s to university, Jennie discusses her journey to her career today as a Principal Engineer with some great advice you might also find helpful for your own careers.

Job searching can be tricky normally, but during lockdown, it’s all changed. Here are tips on how to have a successful job hunt on lockdown.

“Whichever internship you will find – go in open-minded. Arguably you will learn the most if you have to figure some things out on your own.”

A 3 step-guide for how to help you decide what to do for A-Levels.

Yes, work does get boring. But this article will help you to keep work interesting and fun.

Ever wondered what to put on a CV? Look here for handy tips on how to ace your first CV.

Meet Rajvinder, an Operational Risk Management (ORM) Analyst at ReAssure.

“I want to share an example, when this woman did work experience in year 10, she asked for big things and got them.”

We’ve compiled an ever-growing list of STEM resources for all ages to try at home.

Many people think work is meant to be boring, they don’t spend time figuring out what they’d like to do.

This is a list of handy tips to help you with funding.

It’s very difficult to predict the future, and when you are trying to choose what to study for your future career, things get even more complicated and confusing.

Kate Gallagher, a Clinical Researcher, talks you through some of the non-technical she has found most helpful in her career.

The more comfortable we feel talking about gender equality, the more it will become a reality.

Apprenticeships and internships both give you hands-on experience in a particular field. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin when you’ve just started looking.

I’ve heard this question circulating a lot. It’s something that I used to ask parents/ teachers/ career advisers when I was nearing the end of college.

Maths careers aren’t exactly always as expected as Chelsea Tucker tells us here.

Yes, I can definitely say that I have experienced self-doubt and it is normal to feel this way at times.

It’s a big decision to make, so let’s have a chat about choosing university courses. It’s a personal choice and shouldn’t be rushed.

There are so many different routes into STEM, so we asked our Stemette Society members “What routes are you taking?” and “What advice can you give to others who are also considering following this route?”

My route into STEM was a little unconventional, and my ideal career is undecided as of yet.

I am going to break this down in 3 simple steps that I hope you will really help.

The gender gap in the UK STEM industry does mean that women are often the minority in their workplaces which can, of course, come with its challenges – but what work environment doesn’t have a challenge or two to navigate?

We asked the members of the Stemette Society for the best piece of advice they’ve ever heard. So take a look for some words of wisdom.

Choosing your GCSE’s can be daunting as there are so many subjects to consider, here is some advice from Stemette Society members who have already made their options.

Is it ever too late to change your career, if you find a new passion? The simple answer to this is, no!

Finding the time to switch off in the evenings or at the weekends is important for us all. We asked the Stemette Society members:
How do you find time for some me-time?

If you only take away one thing from this article, remember, to gain work experience, you have to ask.

It can be difficult to know where to begin when deciding what career you want to pursue, so we asked the industry… What made you choose your career path?

If you’re looking for ideas about where to go for your work experience that will be STEM-related, we’ve got some inspiration for you.

All the best to everyone receiving results today. Earlier this month, we asked members of the Stemette Society for some advice…

We’ve asked women in STEM to write a letter to their younger self to see what advice they would give. Today’s letter comes from Karen Senior who works at HPE.

Is STEM education made for only highly achieving students? In a word, no. The STEM world is a big one.

I have changed my dream job many times and am still trying to decide. What did you want to be as a child and how much did it change?