Women Inclusion in S.T.E.M: Message to Parents

Women inclusion in STEM is very important as we have a longer attention span. Did I say that? Yes, I did!

Most parents want their children to be Medical Doctors, (some results into forcing and bullying.) how then do we get young girls to study STEM subjects.

Let me tell you a story :)

As a child, I wanted to be a Medical Doctor-A surgeon at that, the dream of every young child that most parents would love to support (my parents inclusive!) .They ploughed the ground for me to be what I wanted to be.

I watched educational Sci-fi and Sci-tech documentaries, cartoons and programs, I loved every bit of it....yes and I still do!. I woke up one morning and was like

"Dar-dah," he was like "yes princess" I was like ""I wanna be an Engineer...like a Computer Engineer" he then was like "oh really?"" I said "sure dad" He gave me a ''Hi'' and was specially happy, being a practicing Electrical/Civil Engineer and yes! That was how my journey to becoming a STEM Woman began!

My parents gave me all their full support,just like they did to my other siblings. My mum (An educationist) made sure I read extra hours- thanks to the "no friend to visit" area I grew up in. So when you're not watching ''tee-vee'' you either study or you got served! My Dad, (An Engineer ) exposed me to more Engineering manuals from his office and more Sci-Engine audio-visual.

Their focus on me was on my extracurricular activities. I get a reward for constructing something new from primary science, to intro tech, then to physics and chemistry.

I get accolades for formulating "improvising formulas" I could remember in primary school I invented a local polish, hair cream, scouring powder and a couple of home supplies. Right there at home without external sources. I also indulged myself in scattering and "pulling down" the house to build up my workshops and office complexes (Made from the chairs and tables meant for visitors at the court yard), started braiding my hair myself, and wired stuvs like that. Did I just skip this part...I asked too many questions? Sometimes too many for answers and often times too much for my age, at least than an adult could bear. I knew I asked a lot of Jamb questions. :)

That must have been responsible for the "questioneering" attitude that earned me the most inquisitive as one of my awards from my undergraduate days.

Oh Yes! Fast forward, now a Graduate of Computer Engineering (and please don't ask me, the class of degree but be sure it’s not first) with a hand full of certificates am grateful to God Almighty who granted me the opportunity to study a course I wanted, not a course someone else wanted.

Am also happy because my mini and main school projects (Bio medical Engineering and Biometrics security/Identification) ended up around in medicine -my first love:D

Been doing ICT for over eight years and worked in different places I have been the only Lady in the I.T department up until when I was the deputy team lead and when I rose to the position of Head of IT / Digital Media department, the only Lady I still am. That was when I got pregnant!

It could be quite challenging especially when my team members are married men and some old enough to be my Uncle, I still have to manage the team anyways...my job must be done by no one but me. My bosses at each point of my career showed great love, support and bolster my courage to forge ahead in my chosen career. From words of encouragement to recommendations for higher things and absolute trust in my sense of judgement ...even in issues that had nothing to do with work ...my bosses have been "Hes 4 her" am so honored to have them all the way.

Bringing you into the present, neither with virtual nor augmented reality….(You can talk to me for those, they are what am researching and working on at the moment )

You will agree that my love for technology did not begin now or didn't just show up as a Tech Woman, I gradually grew from a Techy girl at age 5 to study STEM subjects in elementary up until college years and a teenager who ended up studying a STEM Course at the tertiary. Do not forget that my polish inventions, the "sci-fi ,Sci-Engine and Sci-tech" audio-visuals ,the office complexes and workshop, the  Engineer magazines from my Dad's office and all the wired stuvs are symptoms (in my own case) of a Techy-girl

To Parents
Remember, I did weird or wild things including turning the furniture at the Court Yard to my office complexes and workshops, those are nothing compared to the ''weird atrocities'' committed at home, in the making of this techy girl.

Please don't stop your weird children, understudy and encourage them. Show them love and support. You may think they've got a hype- It’s okay because my parents thought so too, until the Doctor told them I was okay. You may have the greatest inventor of this generation in your home. You can also send them over to me for mentoring ...winks*

Oh dear...Wondering what my pregnancy birthed?...eh..urh...hold that thought..let me help you right there..a healthy , geeky ,techy-girl! see her here www.techygirls.org

Am so grateful to God the night she came. I was like "hmm, at least, after all I have done wrong,I must have done something right, to deserve a geek every morning and a techy-girl at night."

Contact writer via: @alimieyitayo  [email protected] +2348097637097 BBM: 58F1E357