This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the stories of our colleagues across LGC. Over the last few weeks, we have shared videos from the women of LGC describing what and who inspires them, as well as their words of encouragement to other young women pursuing careers in science.
Now we hear from Katie Minns, Scientific Content Writer at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, who wrote about her early experiences in science.
How did you become interested in science?
“I became interested in science when I was around 10 years old. I remember doing experiments in science class and realising I was really engaged in the process of asking scientific questions and planning experiments to find answers.
“A few years later, in biology classes, I became fascinated by the things that living cells are capable of, and I realised I wanted a career in science.”
Which women in science has inspired you?
“My favorite scientist from history is Katherine Johnson. She was a mathematician who worked at NASA from the 1950s to 1980s, calculating space flight trajectories. She had to deal with racial segregation, being a woman in a very male dominated environment, and she took quite a few years out of her career to raise her kids. But she didn’t let any of that hold her back, and she managed to be incredible in her field, which I think is a huge inspiration.”
Photo credit: NASA
What advice do you have for young women starting out in science?
“My advice to young women starting a career in science would be: don’t let a lack of confidence hold you back. Ask questions, find a mentor, push yourself outside of your comfort zone and take on a challenging project.
“Also, there are so many different types of science jobs, so do some networking and ask people about their career paths. You might discover some surprising roles that you like the sound of.”
Learn more about International Women’s Day here.