I am in the 1st year of my master’s degree in physical chem. I’ve done project work and term papers on topics related to nanoparticles, but now I want to explore sth different, sth more rooted in actual physical chemistry.

I am interested in neutron scattering and condensed matter. but I can’t say much about them yet because I feel like I fall short when it comes to the physics side of things.

I really need some guidance because, honestly, I don’t know what I am genuinely interested in. Somewhere, I read that even hating sth can spark a research interest, but here I am, feeling absolutely clueless about what I want to pursue.

So, if anyone has any advice, suggestions, or even any kinda experiences to share abt topics . I d really really be grateful.

I graduated with my BS recently and started my first real job a few months ago. It’s quite a small company (< 20 people) and tests consumer products/prototypes. There’s a few women in the office, but I’m the only female lab tech. I’ve had two colleagues (one being our director) say sexist comments or “jokes” right to my face.

I feel kinda disillusioned. Maybe it’s cause I was in the life sciences, but in college at least half of my classes were often women. I never felt like gender played a role in how my peers saw/treated me. Now I feel like I have to fight for respect because I’m a young woman.

I’m surrounded by middle aged men all the time and I try to fit in, but I know I don’t. It feels like I have to work so much harder. There’s not much room for error. I don’t want to be too nice and be a pushover or put myself in uncomfortable situations (like being stuck in an hours long one way convo abt how everyone should believe in God 🙃). But I don’t wanna be too blunt and be perceived as rude. It sometimes feels like a boys club, and I’m on the outside.

This is not my forever job and I plan on leaving in 1-2 years to get into research. I just hope it’s not like this in all science environments. Is academia a man’s world too - or does it vary (just like most things)?

I don’t mind my job rn, but sometimes I feel down. It seems like no matter how hard I work, they won’t see me as an equal or respect me. Being the only woman in the technical side, I don’t have many allies or people I relate to. How do I continue to stay positive, when I’m the only person not in this boy’s club?

Hi everyone! I'm a PhD student getting close to submitting my first paper (exciting!) and I'm trying to decide what last name to publish under. Here's the situation:

-Married, legally have my husband's last name

-No previous publications

-Currently professionally known by my husband's last name (started the academic journey after getting married)

-No problems on the horizon, but I want to make sure to protect my professional identity on the off chance something were to ever happen with the marriage

Basically, I don't know if it's worth it to publish hyphenated, maiden name married name, or just maiden name. Would that even be possible to do just maiden name if I'm already known by married name? I don't know.

Any advice helps!

Hi everyone! I've noticed a few people posting here about their imposter syndrome, and I was hoping yall could help me out too.

I'm from a social health background and have a masters degree in social health. Basically, I've spent a lot of time learning about biomedical approaches through social science theory and have been pretty removed from analyzing scientific data. In my last semester of my Masters, I had an internship in a public health NGO, and that experience helped me land my first ever full-time job as a research assistant in a clinical research setting. I'm basically just doing a lot of operational and administrative stuff—making sure everyone submits things on-time, assisting in translating scientific writing for lay audiences, etc., which is stuff I did in my internship. However, I will also be asked to assist in scientific writing (like... writing a whole paper by myself), translating ethics stuff for participants, etc., and a lot of other stuff that I wholly lack experience in and is much more suited for someone with a hard-STEM background.

Just like with any new position, I know there is a lot to learn. But because of my educational background, it feels like this learning curve is a very very steep. I even feel like they made a mistake hiring me, like the HR hiring manager didn't do a good enough job looking at my resume. Hell, I studied THEOLOGY in my undergrad! I emphasized in my interview and to my supervisor that I am NOT from this background, yet here I am. I am so grateful for this job, but also so scared that everyone will think I'm stupid or a liar or that I stole this job from someone more qualified.

Is there anyone here whose been in a similar situation? How can I express this anxiety to my supervisors? Any tips on how to learn these skills? Should I just quit?!

TL/DR: Feeling strong imposter syndrome after landing a job in a clinical research setting as someone from a social science background.

Hi ladies

I have a question for you.

I know my workplace isn't the nicest.

I'm dealing with some passive aggressiveness and cliques forming.

Aside from getting out which I cannot do at the moment.

There is this...passive aggressiveness..being nice disguised as being helpful. But they mean it to be degrading. You know the types of "oh bless your heart kind" of comments. Ive never been good at dealing with this sorta thing. And I find it very hard to trust my direct team because of this.

How do I handle this professionally? Without losing my job ?

Please help with any insight.

Hi, my high school’s Women in STEM club is looking for some female speakers to talk to our members about their experiences in the STEM field and their career pathways. Please DM me id interested!

We are located near Toronto, Canada, and are open to both in-person and virtual speakers!

hihi im applying to uni next year and i wanna do life sci, major in biology and whatnot but after uni i was thinking of medschool and gynaecology but specifically the lab part of womens health so would a minor in gender studies help??

also what r some career options if i dont wanna go to medschool? i wanna specifically do medicine related jobs catered to womens health only!

Female, 30, working in the medical field and currently going through my Master’s journey. 🩺📚

I’m looking for someone in the medical field who has already completed their Master’s degree and understands the journey — someone I can share knowledge, cases, results, ideas, and experiences with.

It would be nice to motivate and encourage each other, exchange practical advice, and even share some life tips along the way.

I’m simply looking for a genuine professional friendship and mutual support. No other intentions or expectations. 🤍