Read In2careers manager Danielle Knight‘s article how the platform is transforming the outcomes of young people who are typically underrepresented in STEM industries to bridge the careers gap. This article was originally published in the January issue of the Career Development Institute’s publication Career Matters.
An age-old problem in the career development sector is that the same guidance and opportunities are not equally accessible for all young people. This is particularly true when they are trying to navigate the world of STEM, with those from low socioeconomic backgrounds being affected more than most. A report from EngineeringUK looking at data from almost 200 schools and colleges highlights a lack of visible role models as a key barrier.
When educational institutions are also struggling to get hold of adequate resources, it can be hard for their students to get a full picture of the range of apprenticeships, degrees, occupations and industries that exist within the STEM sphere. At the same time, there is an alarming STEM skills shortage which is thought to be costing the UK around £1.5 billion a year.
So, how do we improve access to STEM careers guidance and tackle the urgent need for STEM workers in the process?
At In2scienceUK, we want to create equal opportunities so that all students can explore different career pathways within STEM-related fields, regardless of their backgrounds. Our mission is to redress the balance through our three programmes: In2STEM is designed for Year 12 students to explore their options after school, while In2research offers an insight into postgraduate study and careers. Both programmes combine in-person placements with mentorship and employability skills workshops for our participants. Encompassing these is our online programme In2careers, a platform which provides ongoing resources and support for participants past and present, as well as anyone else eligible to join.
Each of these programmes prioritises tackling the gaps in the three main areas that divide students from underrepresented groups from their peers: lack of opportunities for networking, work experience and getting relevant information.
The difficulty with initiatives which focus on improving access to STEM is that they tend to only operate in the short term, as they are often limited to running for a few weeks or months, such as over the summer. By contrast, In2careers aims to bridge those gaps in support by building a diverse online STEM community that our beneficiaries can be part of for as long as they need. We have designed the platform so that it serves as both an additional resource to complement and extend our other programmes and a standalone source of support so as not to exclude other young people struggling to get the help they need.
Our hub includes sector-specific events, like webinars from industry experts or PhD retreats and opportunities to present research, as well as mentorship schemes, applications advice and signposting to external resources. Alongside raising awareness of opportunities among our network through our jobs board and learning lab, we also regularly partner with STEM organisations who are eager to offer insights into their industry and connect with talent from underrepresented groups.
One challenge organisations and individuals encounter when seeking to collaborate with placement-based programmes is the need to commit a significant amount of time and resources, which may not be feasible for all employers. While we offer support in our other programmes for our placement hosts to plan and supervise students, we recognise that it’s a commitment that not everyone is able to make.
With In2careers, we’re able to offer more flexible forms of support, from appearing on a one-off panel to hosting a webinar series to offering a lab tour. So, we offer both a continuum of opportunities for our community and for our supporters to get involved. I believe this approach to addressing gaps in the STEM talent pipeline is effective in driving long-term change and ensuring that underrepresented students don’t fall through the cracks.
If you would like to introduce the In2careers platform or any of the In2scienceUK programmes to your students or clients, please get in touch with me at [email protected].
Case study
What’s your name and where do you study?
My name is Anastasia Garai and I’m a Neuroscience Master’s student at UCL.
How did you find out about In2scienceUK? What made you decide to take part in the In2research and In2careers programmes?
I found out about In2scienceUK, In2research specifically, through the UCL website and I applied for it in 2022. I was very eager to gain research experience which I hadn’t had in my life before. And then afterwards, when I was deciding whether to do a PhD, I wanted to know what opportunities were out there, so I attended some workshops provided by In2careers that were extremely helpful.
What’s your experience of exploring STEM careers been like elsewhere?
I didn’t really get much careers advice from school – when it came to choosing my A-levels, I was just lost. I was applying for Medicine and Neuroscience but nobody was providing me with experience, no matter how many hospitals I asked, and I didn’t know anyone in either profession.
How have In2scienceUK’s programmes helped you?
I’ve gained so much confidence and now I enjoy public speaking! In my third year, after my In2research placement, I could raise my hand up and speak in class and not turn fully red! I’ve gained confidence in going through the lecture content faster and understanding it much better; I could go through the research papers much faster because of the extra context I’ve gained. It’s been a life-changing experience and even my grades improved, even though it was third year which was harder. And that’s not just down to In2research, it’s also down to In2careers, because I feel like it improved both my personal levels of confidence and my confidence in my research and academic skills. The two programmes complemented each other. If I hadn’t received the advice I got from the In2careers events I attended, I wouldn’t be in this position now!
This article was originally published in Career Matters magazine – many thanks to the editor Dr Oliver Jenkin. You can download the feature as a pdf here: