International Day of Women and Girls in Science: celebrating women in STEM

Founded by the United Nations, and celebrated every year on 11 February, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, serves as a reminder of the important role that women and girls play in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with the aim of promoting equality for women and girls in STEM.

At AlphaBiolabs, we are proud to say that women make up 80% of our senior management team. Both our Head of Genetics and Head of Toxicology are women, working in more traditional science-focused roles –but there are also many career opportunities available to women in STEM that go beyond the laboratory.

Here, just a few of AlphaBiolabs’ female colleagues share their experiences of working in STEM, in a non-scientific role…

Rachael Rooney – Head of Customer Services

Customer service roles are just as important in the science sector as they are in other industries, helping the business to maintain its reputation through client relationships.

By addressing enquiries and concerns, and providing information about products or services, the customer service team ensures the customer has a positive experience.

Rachael says: “I love how committed AlphaBiolabs is to innovation. New methods are always being considered that will enable us to further enhance our service for customers.

“If you are passionate about customer experience and want to make a difference, a career in a science-based business is ideal. We really do put our customers at the heart of everything we do.

“My advice would be to know your products, understand your customers’ needs, act with empathy and most importantly, listen.”

Carolyn Darbyshire – Sales Manager

Sales professionals in science require a good understanding of both the science behind their offerings and the needs of their customers, balancing technical knowledge with sales skills.

Carolyn says: “What excites me most about my role at AlphaBiolabs is that there is always an opportunity to learn something new, and to develop in a highly innovative industry.

“For women and girls looking to work in this sector, it’s important to keep up with industry trends. Follow relevant companies and connect with people on LinkedIn.

“It’s also important to know your strengths, play to them, and use them to show hiring managers where you will add real value.”

Alyssa James – PR & Content Manager

The role of public relations (PR) and content in STEM fields is pivotal in bridging the gap between complex, technical subjects, and the audience – making scientific ideas more accessible, by presenting them in a way that’s easy to understand.

By doing this, communications specialists can foster trust and enhance the visibility of STEM initiatives and organisations.

Alyssa says: “Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with businesses across a variety of sectors – but none have been quite as fast paced as STEM!

“One of the things I enjoy most about working at AlphaBiolabs is that we’re always looking for new ways to innovate and adapt in line with an ever-changing landscape, meaning there’s always something new to say.

“If you’re working in a PR or content-focused role and want to transition into STEM, it’s important to consider your transferrable skills (stakeholder engagement, storytelling expertise) and the benefits that these skills could bring to a STEM business.”

Ashley Friday – Sample Collections Manager

Sample collection professionals are responsible for collecting, handling, and sometimes processing samples for scientific analysis.

At AlphaBiolabs, this involves working with biological samples. However, in other scientific fields, it could include environmental samples, or any other material requiring scientific examination.

The work of sample collections is crucial for ensuring the integrity and reliability of the samples we receive, which has a direct impact on analysis and results.

Ashley says: “Every day at AlphaBiolabs is different. I’m always meeting new people and learning new things.

“To work in this sector, you need to be open to change and developing your skillset, as you never know when a new skill will come in handy.”

Sharon Rendell – Facilities Manager

In a scientific organisation, the Facilities Manager plays a vital role in ensuring that the physical environment and infrastructure of the business is correctly maintained and optimised.

They oversee the management of laboratories and office spaces, ensuring that all facilities meet strict safety standards, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Sharon says: “I have been working for AlphaBiolabs for four years and during my time here my role has progressed from Office Manager to Facilities Manager.

“No two days are the same – one day I can be dealing with IT queries or maintenance issues, the next I can be carrying out risk assessments and planning office moves. I love the constant challenges.

“If you have a passion for the field that you want to progress in, go for it and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible.”

About AlphaBiolabs

Each of these roles contributes significantly to the overall success of AlphaBiolabs, opening the door for women with different talents, experience, and interests to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the delivery of science-based services.

We work with customers across Ireland, providing market-leading DNA, drug and alcohol testing services for members of the public, the legal sector and the workplace sector.

You can order your test or request a quote online. Alternatively, for more information about our services, call 01 402 9466 or email info@alphabiolabs.ie.