Women in Space

1 article/video left!

log in or sign up to unlock 3 more articles/videos this month and explore our expert resources.

Automatic Summary

Breaking Barriers: A Woman's Journey in Science and Technology

In a field largely dominated by men, one woman’s story stands out. Navigating through the technical world from a young age, she has broken barriers and emerged victorious. This blog article narrates her extraordinary journey and will inspire many others to take up challenges, and foster their curiosity in scientific explorations.

Early Life and Fascination with Space

From a very young age, her interests differed from that of traditional girls’. Instead of playing with dolls, she found the world of space more appealing, fascinated with trains, planes, and everything related to technology. Her parents played a crucial role in encouraging her non-traditional interests, and showed an unwavering support throughout her journey.

As she narrates, she was attracted to challenges that placed her body in uncomfortable situations - giving birth to her love for climbing, cold weather, and getting into the sea. The joy of being somewhere where others wouldn't dare go became a part of her personality and etched her path towards space exploration.

The Academic Path: Physics and Engineering

Her academic journey began with a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Brussels. Reflecting on her time at the University, she recalls being one of the only five girls in a group of eighty students. This stark gender disparity in technical fields is something she thought deeply about, even discussing the barriers that prevent girls from choosing directions like Physics and Maths with her sociologist sister.

The question remains as to why these disparities exist even today when efforts are being taken to promote gender equality. However, she remained undeterred and kept pushing forward – advocating for more women in STEM fields.

Professional Journey: European Space Agency to Self-Employment

She started her career in the space industry by working for the European Space Agency, where she became an astronaut instructor. always dreaming of being able to go to space herself. Despite being close to achieving her goal, professional frustrations and the desire to explore other aspects of her personality led her to make a life-changing decision.

At the age of 30, she went through what she calls an "identity crisis". She decided to change the course of her life and became a mountain guide. She embraced the transition and embarked on a journey of self-exploration and understanding what truly drives her life.

Eventually, blending her technical knowledge and newfound self-understanding, she became self-employed and founded the company "Another Way". This venture combined space technology with coaching, providing services in sales leadership, team communication, and market research.

Championing for Women in Science and Technology

Despite the strides she made in the industry, the issue of gender disparity was always on her mind. She believes it's crucial to have more women in fields like artificial intelligence, as these fields currently dominated by men, have significant real-world implications. Her goal is to shatter the misconceptions about women functioning in the world of science and technology and inspire more women to join these fields.

She concluded her talk on a hopeful note - expressing her continued interest in space exploration and the possibility of applying for the astronaut program again, despite the challenges it could present as a mother of two.

From the European Space Agency to founding her own company, she has proved that passion and determination can take you places, regardless of gender or field of interest. Her journey is a testament to dreaming, planning, and living your life the way you envision it.


Video Transcription

Read More