Celebrating Mothers in STEM: Alice Wambui’s Story of Curiosity and Determination

What is your name?

Alice Wambui

What is your STEM field?

ICT

What/Who inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?

Taking things apart and reassembling them has always been a labour of love for me. From the days of photosynthesis and giving talks at scientific congresses to the days of examining transformers in my community and wondering about creating regulations surrounding them, I have always been really interested in the scientific community. I remember disassembling my father’s stereo and wondering how I could configure it more cleverly. From this point on, I would frequently visit the nearby electronics store to acquire knowledge about CRTs and motherboards.

Could you share a brief overview of your journey in the STEM field?

Looking back, I can see that I liked physics and math in high school and that, given the combination of those subjects, engineering was my natural choice. It was during my careful perusal of the course catalogue that I discovered Computer Science. Even though computing was a novel notion at the school I attended and there were no computer classes offered, I couldn’t help but become fascinated again. As a result, I ended up enrolling in the course at university. My other fellow students can attest to the number of times I gave up because I felt I wasn’t made out for it, but oddly enough, even though I didn’t have a computer at the time and computing was still quite simplified, I would still do well in the electronic units. As a result, I began attending the local tech workshops that were becoming more and more popular. Collaborations with other like-minded women inspired me to continue with my degree from this point on.

How has motherhood impacted your career journey in STEM?

Whoosh, to start with, I became a first-time mother. For whatever reason, I had begun persuading myself that, while I worked out this new dynamic I was in, I needed to take a break from anything work-related.This was a new language, somewhat like programming, without a manual! I’ve have to acknowledge that my mommy experience is not like anyone else’s. Accepting this helped me to express my resolve to bounce back more easily. I saw that although I felt as though I had experienced an out-of-body experience, I am not quite where I believe I should be or what I recall being, but it has undoubtedly altered my viewpoint on careers and the readiness to make sacrifices. I declined speaking invitations because I didn’t think I was ready to meet people in the outside world just yet. Being a little bit late for meetings has been the harsh reality and to attending certain meetings while carrying a small child. It’s interesting how small things may alter. There have been days when I’ve found myself facing significant physical and mental changes and have considered giving up my STEM career development. While I can’t speak for all the factors that influence a woman’s decision to leave STEM, I can speak to the factors that made me consider doing so. I entered a process that requires all of my mental, emotional, and material resources, since tending to a new life is my first concern. But just because something changes doesn’t mean it stopped working; it only indicates that it changed .

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a mother in the STEM industry?

Numerous obstacles have come my way, both before and after giving birth. From physical discomfort, lack of sleep, exhaustion, difficulty focusing, fear, anxiety, childbirth, recovery (C-section), breastfeeding, changes in my size and appearance, the agony of being away from my child, and the choice to trust a nanny, to worrying about whether he would be well-cared for, missing him, and striking a balance between caring for him at night and showing up for work. Given how exhausting it is to pursue STEM while being a mother, I had decided it would be best to give up after considering all of these factors.

What support systems or resources have helped you navigate the challenges you faced being a mother in STEM?

I have been surrounded by women in the same line as I am, they have helped me unpack. I also count it a blessing to have an understanding lady boss, she in my view stood in the gap to allow me the needed time to adjust, she listened to my plea, my quest, in a framework that is yet to set up the infrastructure for mothers, and with the view career moms in STEM, all I can say is that I salute her. I appreciate the fact that we have the 3months maternity some spaces have more, I think these structures need to be reviewed. Without these support systems, continuing my career in STEM might have been impossible.

In what ways can the STEM industry better support and accommodate mothers?

STEM industry can’t do it alone. It’s essential for companies, the government, society, and the healthcare sector to collaborate in creating support networks. These networks should empower us to pursue our dreams without feeling compelled to give up our careers simply because we are mothers. Allowing a work from home model, it is a lot of work figuring the parenting scope, create avenues /structures that can allow one show up to work with their little ones.

How can we (mothers already in STEM) encourage more mothers and aspiring mothers pursue and thrive in STEM careers?

Create and form safe spaces for these discussions to happen, then put in favorable models that would negate the effects of a STEM career mom having to deal with the change and think of or resort to quitting. But, dear Mom, I want you to know that although it’s incredibly challenging, fortunately, we are living in a time of change. For many of us, dreaming and achieving those dreams is possible today.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue careers in STEM while also planning to become mothers?

It’s important to be prepared for any unexpected changes. You should also be prepared to forget things occasionally, if not always. Find a support system and engage in activities you enjoy. Personally, I enrolled in a cloud practitioners certification course. Three months of intense training were difficult because of exhaustion, but I persisted. It really helped with baby brain moments. I also learned to accept days when I couldn’t concentrate in class and to take time to rest. You should listen to your body because it’s still getting used to the new routine; if possible, take time off from work.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as a mother in STEM?

Don’t give up; instead, take it slow, breathe, ask for assistance, ask for 15 minutes of alone time, go for a walk, dance, bake, or do whatever else you enjoy. You can only truly be there for your child when you have reset, recharged, and renewed yourself. Make connections with others who can revive your mojo! In ways they might not have realized, a few specific engineers brightened my days and gave me encouragement. Attend seminars, workshops, and summits. We’re all human, so I brought my child along to some board meetings that needed travel. Recognize your humanity and accept assistance when it’s given. Many recommendations will follow; pay close attention and find your voice, heed to your heart’s inner voice. I discovered that spending more time with the child helped me understand both the child and myself better. By the time experience talk came up, I would be prepared with notes and ready to reply. At first, it seems overwhelming, but you can do it! Place those charming tiny notes along your path to serve as a constant reminder of the things you have to look forward to. I’m a mother now, and I’ve been going after a cloud certification while learning to tell the difference between a cry for food and a cry for sleep. I nurse my child and put him to sleep, analyze data, and attend a board meeting. I consider how to organize elements around innovation while planning how I’ll let the child play with the nanny.