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5th Jul 2019
PROMOTION
Did you know you could turn your love of fashion, art, social causes, design and even food into a career in STEM? If you weren’t already aware of that fact, then the time to start re-evaluating your perception of the field is now.
Enter: Tiffany De Sousa Machado. A proud mum of two, who after experiencing the detrimental effects of postnatal depression, decided to embark on creating a world where mothers can connect with mothers for support.
Tiffany has turned her passion for creating positive change into a profession that falls under the banner of STEM, making her the perfect person to help challenge the misconception that only those who work in highly scientific and tech-related fields are able to pursue such a rewarding career path.
“I feel as though a lot of the imagery around women in STEM is focused on lab coats and microscopes, but it’s broader than that,” says Tiffany, the founder of The Village Foundation and a third year student studying a PhD in Psychology at the University of Adelaide.
After becoming the recipient of a 2017 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, a program designed to help postgraduate students uncover their leadership potential, Tiffany launched The Village Foundation, an app which aims to help women suffering from perinatal depression return to the workforce.
“I am placed in STEM in both my roles,” she explains. “Psychology falls under the STEM banner and as the founder and CEO of a technology company, I am heavily involved in the design and implementation of the app, which drawing on my psychology background, connects people using technology.”
Tiffany recognises that the need to shift perceptions around STEM is vital, as misconceptions are limiting access to these professions, particularly for women.
“I think it’s a shame to present a narrow view, especially as many women seeing grants [and] scholarships may not even realise they qualify,” says Tiffany. “Having an understanding of how vast the category is may encourage more women to the area.”
Thankfully, Westpac is planning on doing just that. How? Via its STEM commitment – a roadmap designed to track the progress made by the company’s various initiatives, programs and partnerships which aim to provide women with the tools, knowledge and support to enter careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
One of the initiatives the commitment promotes is the All SySTEMs Go! Program, a work experience scheme that provides 100 female high school students each year with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in STEM-related fields.
Through creating initiatives that invest in the next generation, incubate talent, champion change and foster innovation, Westpac is ensuring the future is one that provides equal opportunities for both male and female dreamers, thinkers and entrepreneurs alike.
Find out more about the initiatives, programs and partnerships that make up Westpac’s STEM commitment, here. Applications are also open for 2020 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships. Apply or nominate someone today.
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