Diving into STEM: My journey into big tech

If someone had told my teenage self - the girl happily buried in French novels and grammar exercises - that I'd one day build a career in data science, I would have laughed it off. My route into STEM has been anything but predictable. Yet that winding path has shaped my confidence, my curiosity, and my career. In the spirit of International Women's Day, I want to share how I found my way into tech, in the hope it encourages others to explore the possibilities that sit outside the obvious.

Follow the spark

I grew up in Romania, convinced that my strengths lived firmly in the humanities. Litreature, languages and philosophy were my comfort zones. Science and maths felt distant and abstract, so I assumed they simply weren't "for me." That belief carried me all the way into a psychology degree. That is, right until I encountered statistics.

What I expected to be a dry requirement turned out to be the opposite, and the subject clicked. The logic, the structure, the unexpected elegance, the way data illuminated real‑world questions all resonated. A brilliant lecturer brought the concepts to life, and suddenly a world I'd written off felt accessible and exciting. 

That spark changed the trajectory of my studies. I went on to pursue a master's degree and then a PhD, both rich in quantitative research, and eventually became a statistics tutor at the University of Edinburgh. None of this was part of my original plan but being willing to pivot opened doors I didn't know existed.

Say yes to opportunity

As my academic work deepened, I began to wonder about its broader impact. I wanted to see my skills applied in ways that reached beyond a small research community. Around that time, I became involved in an R meetup in Edinburgh, first as an attendee, then as its sole organiser. The group connected me with people from across industry, and one conversation led to a job opening at The Data Lab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.

I was still finishing my thesis, but the opportunity felt too aligned to ignore. I applied, was offered the role, and suddenly found myself balancing a full‑time job with the final stretch of my PhD. It was intense, but it marked the moment I stepped from academia into industry, a leap that shaped everything that followed.

Grow by stretching yourself

My time at The Data Lab gave me a foundation in collaborative, applied data work. From there, I moved to Tesco Bank, where I tackled infrastructure challenges, and later to a data science agency, where I sharpened my client‑facing skills. Each role pushed me into new territory and expanded my understanding of what a data career could look like.

Joining GlobalLogic opened the door to even broader possibilities. I've worked across pre‑sales, data design, and now product ownership, contributing to projects in sectors ranging from healthcare to finance. The variety has been energising, and receiving a Changemaker Award for proactive impact was a moment of real pride. I never imagined I'd be here, but embracing uncertainty has consistently led to the most rewarding chapters of my career.

Of course, the journey hasn't been without its challenges. Being the 'only woman in the room' - sometimes literally - brought its share of self‑doubt. Imposter syndrome is a familiar companion to many women in STEM, and I've had to learn to quiet that inner critic and trust not only my skills but my ability to keep learning.

Advice to my younger self

If I could speak to the girl who thought she wasn't cut out for STEM, I'd say this: If something doesn't click straight away, it doesn't mean you're incapable. It may simply mean you haven't found the right teacher, environment, or angle yet. Seek out people who explain things in ways that resonate. Stay curious. Follow the threads that interest you, even if they lead somewhere unexpected.

Most importantly, don't talk yourself out of opportunities before you've even tried. You belong in any room you're willing to grow into.

My path has been full of detours, but I wouldn't trade them. Every twist taught me something. Every leap expanded my world. And often, the most transformative moments came from stepping into the unknown.