#women #career #stem

#WoMen #Career #Tech

Raphaël Dunant

Raphaël Dunant

Raphaël Dunant

Raphaël Dunant

Career is one important objective, but not the only one. We should also think about family, friends, love, mental and physical health. Career should not be our main objective, but should fluently mix with other life objectives. I try to remember why I improve my career: not because it is the main objective of my life, but because it is part of a whole that will allow me to be happy and make others happy.

Thinking about how many people I can help with my work is truly a source of inspiration. How many people I help today by doing my job, and how many I will help in the future once my career grows. If medical research advances, more and more people will be able to have a better life. This is why I work to create tools that many cliniicians and researchers needs to find new medicine that will help the world.

Accepting that women don’t have the same chances as men in their careers. Men should talk less and let women speak more, to understand that their point of view of the world of work is not the same. If we men let others, and especially women, express their opinions, we will learn more than if we speak all the time.

“We should hire someone because they are qualified, not because of their gender”. This advice is totally ignoring that the entire society is unbalanced in favour of men. Instead of continuing the loop that puts men in high-qualified jobs, women should be encouraged to gain experience in these jobs. Hiring people only because of their skills is highly unfair towards women. First we need to make sure everybody has the same chances of acquiring technical skills.

A good network is the basis of a good career. It is important to know and understand, not only our colleagues, but also in which direction the industry as a whole is going, what people in other organisations are doing, etc. Having a clear picture of the possibilities of everyone allows you to bring bridges in your career that will bring you in the direction you want to go.

Aim for middle term, do not think short gains only. To cite a wise person: do things “not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of [y]our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win” (Keneddy).

Speaking in the United Nations, in front of delegates of many countries. It was an opportunity I could not miss. I was very anxious before the speech, but it went fantastic and created many more opportunities. This experience really showed me that it is worth it to sometimes get out of your comfort zone.

Raphaël Dunant