You can't be what you can't see: why your STEM story matters

We often talk about the STEM skills gap, the lack of diversity in STEM, and the need to build a sustainable pipeline. But behind all these challenges sits something simple and profoundly human: representation. What we see around us shapes not only how we understand the world, but also how we understand our place in it.

For many girls across the UK, STEM roles still feel distant, unrelatable, and “not for them”—and this continues to feed an unbalanced STEM workforce.

The STEM skills gap costs the UK economy around £1.5 billion each year, yet women still represent just 27% of the STEM workforce. Increasing representation isn’t just socially important; it is a practical, evidence‑based way to boost innovation, strengthen teams, and address long‑term shortages.

Why role models matter

You can’t be what you can’t see. Research shows that girls are 30% more likely to consider a STEM pathway if they know or can see a woman working in the field. And as many as 60% of women already working in STEM say a role model played a pivotal role in their own journey.

Sometimes a single conversation, classroom visit, STEM activity, or shared story is enough to spark curiosity—or to shift a girl’s belief about where she belongs.

Importantly, role models don’t need to be perfect or polished. They just need to be real. When girls hear about the twists, challenges, surprises, and motivations behind someone’s STEM journey, STEM becomes more accessible, less intimidating, and far more relatable.

STEM outreach with My Skills My Life

The My Skills My Life platform is designed to help girls explore STEM pathways through real stories and personal strengths. Instead of focusing solely on job titles, school subjects or technical skills, it highlights the people behind the work and the many different pathways into a STEM. Hundreds of women already contribute as role models, offering a broad mix of backgrounds, experiences, and sectors. Together, they’re helping girls discover how their strengths and interests make them a great fit for the wide range of opportunities in STEM.

Your story could inspire someone

If you’re a woman working in STEM, your lived experience has the power to widen access and help build a stronger, more diverse pipeline. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment—it simply starts with sharing your journey.

Your story could shatter a stereotype, expand someone’s understanding of what STEM looks like, or give a young person the confidence they need to take their next step

Get involved

Becoming a My Skills My Life role model is a simple but meaningful way to help shape the future of the STEM workforce. By joining the community, you’ll help make STEM more visible, more inclusive, and more representative of the society it serves.

Ready to inspire the next generation? Sign up here.