There are many environmental issues that are progressing very fast and requires great urgency in action. Alya Dayna Salma has always been interested in biology since high school because of her teachers. She had biology teachers that sparked her interest in the subject and encouraged her to take Biology for her Bachelor’s degree at IPB University, where she started to find her ever-growing interest in the environment. She then continued her studies for a Master of Science in Sustainable Water Environments at the University of Glasgow.
Currently starting a new role in an environmental consultancy company, Alya recognizes that we lack mentors and leaders for women in STEM. “When you are a woman working in STEM industries and you are planning on having a family, people will ask questions about how you will balance being a wife and having a child with working in the industry,” described Alya as one of the biggest challenges in her work. She continued, “I don’t think people set the same expectations with men.”
More and more women are working in the STEM fields, however there are still lack of mentorship in the field. “It’s been quite a struggle to get enough representatives and everybody need a mentor when they start a career. Somebody who is willing to give feedback and insights in your journey. In the past, because there is a lack of women representation in the field, there is also a lack of mentorship,” said Alya.
Ever since she received the British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarship in 2021, more people have been inspired by her achievement. “It is possible for women to get a lot of opportunities. People have been expressing to me that because they saw me, they are glad to know that they can achieve something similar as well,” shared the Jakarta born and raised.
Alya herself has two mentors that supported her career in STEM. First, her supervisor from the Department of Biology of IPB University. “I look up to her very much and she helped me a lot with figuring things out in my career. When I see her, I feel inspired,” said Alya. Another mentor is her senior in college, who also went to the UK for her studies. “It’s just refreshing to see other young women be accomplished and do what they are passionate about.”
Working in a consultancy company helps her to keep learning. “My mission is to just equip myself with as much knowledge as possible to be able to finally understand my end goal,” explained Alya.
With the Women in STEM scholarship, Alya does not only get support with her education. “We got to connect with people and meet with people that we didn’t get to meet in our daily lives,” answered Alya on how the scholarship has helped her.
“I also feel like I am giving back by giving insights and the British Council helped me gain confidence. Before I went to the UK, I was not a confident person at all.”
In Scotland, she also found a great work-life balance culture. “Weekends are for resting and recharging yourself. However, during the weekdays people will work efficiently,” said the environmental scientist. She also saw how approachable her lecturers and peers have been, which she noticed is very different from Indonesia.
Alya’s message to all women wanting to pursue career in STEM:
”Just go for it. If you do your best, everything else will eventually fall into place and you will be right where you want to be, where you need to be. And be the role model you wish you had when you were younger.”