Written By: Brooke Love
In my early years, my fascination with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) began. The spark was a field trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I dove into the world of the Challenger Center Program and got my first job there. At the time, I wouldn’t have called it STEM. I was captivated by the universe's mysteries, the enchanting solar eclipses, and hydroponics. I found myself on simulated missions to Halley's Comet and Mars. These immersive experiences planted seeds of curiosity that have continued to grow. It was ingrained in my experience.
Embracing the Corporate World
I found my initial calling in tech sales. It was quite different from the hands-on science activities I loved at the museum. I started with selling and providing customer support for DSL, a type of high-speed internet connection. Later, I transitioned into software sales, where I dealt with providing back-up solutions to data centers. In the beginning, servers, the powerful computers that make the internet possible, seemed almost mysterious. Now, we call them the cloud. These experiences helped me understand the intricacies of technology, keeping me abreast of continuous technological innovations.
Discovering the Power of Data Science and AI
Fast forward through decades of life, motherhood, a global pandemic, and the world waking up to the incredibly influential power of data. I found myself drawn towards the emerging fields of data science and machine learning. Where did the data come from? Little did I know then that we were on the brink of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. The latest advancements in AI, with the power to transform, automate, and empower businesses and individuals, have captured my full attention. STEM: An Essential Fabric of Our Lives
The presence of STEM in our lives is undeniable. Yes, opinions about technology are polarized. Yet, in 2023 and beyond, technology's merits lie in our ability to connect in ways never before possible. Whether in the Caribbean or bustling California, we can connect instantaneously. Our connected world provides opportunities to pursue our passions. Technology can simplify our lives, helping us whip up a meal in 30 seconds with the help of our AI assistant. Likewise, a walk in a forest becomes an exploration of nature's wonders as we identify plants, animals, and even the smallest insects—an application of science that feels simple, profound, and nourishing.
Embracing AI: An Exciting Era of Transformation
As a data scientist in the transformative era of AI, I find myself at the cutting edge of one of the most significant epochs in human history. I'm privileged to be part of teams that design intelligent systems capable of learning, reasoning, and self-correcting. The fact that these once science-fiction concepts are now integral to industries from healthcare to finance leaves me in awe. Yet, it's a reminder that science has always been, and will always be, an intrinsic part of our existence.
Is Social Media STEM?
Social media is a technology that is intimately woven into our daily lives. The platform connects people of all genders to consume, create, and share content. Whether it's exchanging code on GitHub or creating digital art on Instagram, these platforms encourage creativity, problem-solving, and active contributions to the digital world. We must broaden our understanding of technological participation and use more precise classifications to produce more accurate data about inclusion. Most importantly, technology now serves as a means of mass communication.
Championing Inclusion and Diversity in STEM
Possible misconceptions that have circulated are the idea of women being peripheral in the STEM world. Could it be the lack of recognition of the role women play? The drive for increased participation in STEM is about more than academic enrollments and C-suite employment. It's about ensuring diverse perspectives in shaping the future of technology. As we continue to develop and implement technology, we need diverse voices to be recognized as contributing factors to its growth. Diversity in STEM isn't just beneficial—it's essential. Consider where you are already contributing in this digital age—are we truly as far from inclusion as we once thought? www.twitter.com/blovespr
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