You have finished your college degree and are more excited than ever about what the future holds. You enter into a promising career, but you don’t quite know how to stand out from the crowd, how to propel yourself forward, or how to make your way into the future. Here are ten steps to help you achieve long-term success in your new career in STEM.
- Read, read, read. It is important to read everything you can that pertains to your field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Consider taking additional coursework periodically, to enhance your ongoing professional development. This will help you to stay knowledgeable, abreast of the latest developments, and maintain a competitive advantage in your field.
- Don’t be on time, be EARLY. Whether you are preparing for your normal workday, an important business meeting, or to show up live on zoom; always plan ahead. Be organized and show up early. This will help you to make a good impression with your immediate supervisor, put your best foot forward, and reduce unnecessary stress. Showing up early is a key distinguishing trait of a leader that will help you to stand out within your organization. When promotions and other opportunities become available, leadership will most likely remember you.
- Find a mentor. Enlisting the help and support of a mentor is crucial to developing a path for long-term career success. There will be established professionals within your organization that are willing to become a mentor to someone new, and share the benefit of their knowledge, ideas, and expertise. Get to know people within your organization, and as you develop those relationships, it will become clear who would be the best candidate to mentor you. Make sure to check with your human resources department to see if your company offers their own mentorship program and if so, be sure to join it. However, even if they don’t have a formal program, you can still request a mentor on your own.
- Join an organization that supports early career women in STEM. Do your research. Ask those you respect within your organization to suggest organizations worth joining. The Association for Women in Science is a great place to start! Once you find one that you are interested in, be sure to inquire if they have any mentorship programs available.
- Network. The benefits of networking within your organization cannot be overestimated. This will help you to gain important insight about the organization and learn about opportunities that may become available to you in terms of promotions. Networking also helps you get to know others within your organization on a more personal level, so that you have someone to turn to when you have a question or find yourself in need of help. However, in your networking, remember that this is your workplace, so always keep communications professional.
- Be future minded. Anyone can take on a job and do the basics. However, true visionary leaders always establish a clear set of goals, actively pursue them, and have an overall plan on how they will achieve success. While it is important to sustain your position in the moment, it is equally imperative to look forward to the future and develop a vision board and plan to help you to accomplish your long-term goals.
- Write out your goals. While most people carry around goals in their mind, it is much more effective to write out your goals on paper and then work toward accomplishing each one of them. This helps you to plan and become more organized and driven. It will also place you ahead of many others who have not taken the time to pursue such efforts. Do your homework, be prepared, work hard, and there is nothing you can’t accomplish!
- Draft a plan for success. Now that you have written out your vision, it’s time to draft out the necessary steps to achieve your ultimate goal. Have you taken all the coursework, or do you need to continue your education? Is a Masters or Doctorate degree needed? Are there any special certifications required, do you need to put in extra hours or fulfill other requirements? Jot down each and every step that needs to be completed and use this as your checklist to get to that new higher position!
- Thank those who helped you along the way. Never forget the many people who helped you along the way. Remember to send a thank you note or express appreciation for those who took an interest in you and your work early on and helped you to get where you are. Gratitude is critical as you are forming important professional relationships. Some will remember that thank you for many years to come, especially when it’s time to pursue a higher position or you need a good reference. However, do not thank them expecting something in return. Instead, be real and gracious, lead with a sincere heart and that will be remembered as one of your ‘superpowers.’
- Never give up. There will be many obstacles in life but be encouraged on your journey in STEM. Women are often tasked with taking care of their family, aging parents, and others. It is imperative to prioritize taking care of yourself because you matter too. If you realize the importance of taking care of yourself first, early on in your career, you will be in a much better position to live a balanced, happy, healthy and productive life. You will face some obstacles that discourage you but be persistent in moving towards your goals and never give up! When all else has failed and your back is up against the wall, remember WHO you are, and that diamonds are formed under pressure. Collect yourself and keep pushing and fighting to reach the top. And NEVER GIVE UP!
E. Willa Simpson is an artificial intelligence scientist, researcher and freelance journalist. Her writings cover key issues and special topics related to A.I., social sciences, history, climate change, epidemiology and social memory of pandemics, world economic system and other topics. Simpson’s writings are part of the literature collections of Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins University, the National Library of Rome, Museum d’ Ethnographie de Geneve, United Nations and the Nobel Prize Museum. Simpson has also received the honorary distinction of Who’s Who in America 2025.