SUBJECT: MNHQ here: How has maths helped your career?

[AnnaCMumsnet]

Women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and maths careers. The ratio of men vs women working in STEM has stalled at 74:26

There are lots of possible explanations for this, but the stats seem to show that disparities start fairly early. Girls are substantially less likely to take scientific, numerical and technical subjects at A Level, and an study from a few years ago showed that across OECD countries, girls are more likely than boys to express a lack of self-confidence when tackling maths and science problems - even though girls often outperform boys at GCSE level in these subjects.

We’ve been talking to Maths4Girls, who are trying to redress the balance. They say:

“We seek to dispel gender stereotypes and inspire more girls to pursue maths and the opportunities it can bring. We do this by introducing female role models to young girls aged 11 - 14 so they can share their inspirational career journey, and give insight into their amazing career.”

Some of the workshops Maths4Girls have run (for free) include using maths to solve crimes, to persuade people, and to save the world (by tackling the really big global challenges such as climate change).

We know from thousands of conversations on Mumsnet over the years that we have many brilliant women here who excel in maths and maths-related fields, so to support Maths4Girls in their mission we thought we’d try to find a few role models of our own.

How has maths helped your career? How do you use maths, from day to day, in your job - and what sort of difference does your job make in the world? Do you have any thoughts about what might have helped you when you were studying or breaking into your chosen field - or do you have any tips for the upcoming generations of girls and young women thinking about building a career in STEM?

(Feel free to namechange if your story is too identifying!)

Thanks
MNHQ

I took the humanities route but need maths to draw up budgets in my current role. My GCSE-level maths + courses on Finance for non-finance managers helped me get there.

I don't enjoy applied maths but see the usefulness of it for my job, so am finding it satisfying to be able to do this part of my role with little outside help.

I started my career in banking and finance (did it for 12 years) and used maths all day in that role. Post children, I am now an accountant and, again use maths constantly in my job. I did my degrees (30 years ago) in econometrics (mathematical economics) and have found what I learned to be useful over the years. I loved maths at school - I wish people were less afraid of it because it is beautiful: the language of the universe.

@HippyChickMama

I only did maths up to GCSE but have never struggled with maths. I am a nurse and used maths daily for drug calculations and assessment tools (BMI etc.). I'm now an academic, I teach (mostly female) undergraduate nursing students and I was shocked at how terrified of maths some of them are. They have to pass a drug calculations exam every year during their degree and, on the whole, they dread it. I have implemented practical maths sessions for the students with specific learning differences, which seems to help, but even for students with no additional learning needs I spend quite a lot of time teaching very basic mathematical concepts that my own dc learnt in primary school. I'm sure a lot of it is to do with fear of maths rather than ability and I do wonder whether some of it is grounded in stereotyping.

I think stereotyping explains some of the fear, definitely! I went to an all-girls school where we were encouraged to excel in maths and sciences (I didn't btw) so maybe less stereotyping there? My sister went to the same school, excelled at maths, did a degree which needed maths A-level and now uses maths daily in her job.

I hated and struggled with maths in school, but by the time A levels rolled around I had developed an interest in chemistry and physics. So, I took maths further by necessity though I was still weak in this area. In the end, I became proficient enough at the application of maths in my scientific studies to allow me to study to PhD level and now I am a professional scientist and have needed to use mathematics throughout my career. I'll never be a great mathematician though, and know my limitations with this area. Where I work is quite interdisciplinary, and if there's any serious advanced maths to be done then there are people strong in this area. Those same will come to me for technical input from my own area of expertise.

@HippyChickMama

I only did maths up to GCSE but have never struggled with maths. I am a nurse and used maths daily for drug calculations and assessment tools (BMI etc.). I'm now an academic, I teach (mostly female) undergraduate nursing students and I was shocked at how terrified of maths some of them are. They have to pass a drug calculations exam every year during their degree and, on the whole, they dread it. I have implemented practical maths sessions for the students with specific learning differences, which seems to help, but even for students with no additional learning needs I spend quite a lot of time teaching very basic mathematical concepts that my own dc learnt in primary school. I'm sure a lot of it is to do with fear of maths rather than ability and I do wonder whether some of it is grounded in stereotyping.

Sounds like a teaching problem rather than a sex issue. I was good at maths when I had a good teacher who explained everything well. Had a brilliant teacher in Y9 and got 97% in the end of year exam, then got a rubbish teacher in the top set, I absolutely came to hate Maths then and only scraped a C for GCSE.

So much of it was too conceptual for me. I never understood trigonometry until I was in my forties and did a gardening course, and we went outside and used it to mark out a new bed. I have to see things in 3D sometimes for it to click.

Also maths fear is a real thing, it should not be dismissed. I can still conjure up that physical pain and stress I felt at primary school from not being able to understand the maths work I'd been set. I now realise it was a sort of panic attack. I was so extremely able with anything to do with words and most subjects really that not being able to do something was very upsetting.

Honestly, I have a professional job and have never used any maths in it which I learned after the age of 14. I think studying maths after this age should be generally optional not compulsory.

I'm an NHS podiatrist and need it to calculate doses of local anaesthetics and various other injectables.

@HarebrightCedarmoon

So much of it was too conceptual for me. I never understood trigonometry until I was in my forties and did a gardening course, and we went outside and used it to mark out a new bed. I have to see things in 3D sometimes for it to click**

I totally understand what you mean about it being too conceptual, I have autism and this can be an issue with some things for me, looking at you chemistry teacher that was unable to explain what a mole was, hence the practical maths sessions