Breaking the Firewall: A Young Woman’s Guide to Thriving in STEM

When I first stepped into cyber security, I noticed something straight away. I was often the only woman in the room. I was usually the youngest too. It wasn’t a bad thing, but it did make me hyper-aware of how few of us there were.

Entering STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) isn’t about fitting a stereotype. It’s not about ticking every skill box before you start. It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and having the confidence to keep going when things get tricky. And yes, that applies to you – even if you don’t feel ‘ready’ yet.

Why STEM Needs More Women

Women are still underrepresented in most STEM fields – and in cyber security, the numbers are even lower. That lack of diversity isn’t just a social issues, it’s a skills issue.

Different perspectives lead to better solutions. Security problems often don’t have one obvious fix – they need people who approach challenges in different ways. By having more women in STEM, we widen the talent pool, improve problem-solving, and create stronger, more resilient teams.

If you’ve ever spotted details others missed, solved problems in unconventional ways, or asked ‘why does it work like that?’ – you already have the mindset STEM needs.

How to Get Started in STEM (and Security)

You don’t have to take a traditional route to break into STEM – many people don’t (I didn’t). Here’s some ways to start exploring (links to resources at the end of this post):

Explore different areas. Maybe coding, networking, cyber security, or data science. Try online labs like Hack the Box or TryHackMe to get a feel for tech.
Take free or affordable courses. Platforms like freeCodeCamp, Coursea, and Cybrary offer great beginner-friendly options.
Look into apprenticeships. These are amazing because you get paid to learn while working on real project, plus build connections. Many tech companies and government programs offer cyber security or IT apprenticeships that don’t require a degree. If it wasn’t for apprenticeships, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Get hands-on. Build your own mini-project for practice, contribute to open-source projects or join Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions.
Find your community. Join Women in Tech groups, OWASP chapters, or online forums on Discord, LinkedIn, or Slack to meet people who get it.

The Intimidation Factor is Real (But Temporary)

Starting in STEM can feel like you’re the only one who’s lost in the sauce – everyone else seems to know what’s going on, and you’ve just trying to keep us. That’s totally normal.

Almost everyone, no matter how experienced, deals with feeling like they don’t belong or don’t know enough. It’s called impostor syndrome, and it’s basically part of the job description.

The key isn’t to beat it or magically get rid of it – it’s to keep moving forward anyway. Confidence comes from doing the work. You learn as you go. You realise you don’t have to have all the answers right away.

Mentorship & Networking

Having a mentor can make a big difference – someone who’s been there, can offer advice, and help you avoid common mistakes. If you don’t have one yet, don’t stress. You can find mentors through LinkedIn, local meetups, or online communities.

Networking isn’t just handing out business cards. It’s about building genuine connections with people who share your interests and goals. Plus, you can start mentoring others even early in your journey; teaching what you’ve learned helps both sides grow.

Practical Advice for Getting Started

Stay curious. Asking questions and digging deeper in how you learn.
Start before you feel ready. Waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ usually means waiting forever.
Speak up. Your perspective matters, even if you think it’s small.
Celebrate your progress. Every step forward counts – don’t overlook the small wins.

You don’t have to fit a stereotype or be an expert from day one to succeed in STEM. What matters is being willing to start, keep learning, and make space for yourself in field.

STEM – and especially cyber security – needs more diverse voices, that includes you. So, take the leap and trust that your perspective will make a difference.

If you have any questions about starting out in STEM or cyber security, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out. You can get me on LinkedIn – happy to help or chat anytime.