Eva Cheng

Computer science teacher Anu Datar emphasizes the importance of self-compassion when navigating one’s personal and professional lives. “I have learned that I am my worst and harshest critic,” Datar said. “I don’t think anybody else has the same expectations from me that I set on myself.”

Math teacher Caren Furtado, physics teacher Miriam Allersma, computer science teacher Anu Datar and chemistry teacher Ran Tao spoke about their journeys through their respective fields at a Women in STEM speaker panel during lunch on Thursday.

Despite coming from different backgrounds, the STEM instructors emphasized both patience and resilience when dealing with challenges.

Furtado, who originally worked in business, found her trajectory completely upended when her husband received a job in the U.S., forcing them to leave India. Without a work visa, she enrolled in art school and started a small business selling baked goods, before ultimately becoming a math teacher.

“Everything we are saying, we know because we are old people,” Furtado said. “You’ll figure it out. Everyone’s balance will come at different times. Life will sometimes make you do more of something and less of something and that’s just how it is.”

Reflecting on their commitments both to their families and their careers, the teachers noted the importance of self-compassion. Working at numerous tech companies after studying computer science in college, Datar recalled intense periods of burnout that eroded her motivation. She shared how she would feel immensely guilty and ashamed about missing important moments in her personal or professional life.

“Women tend to experience imposter syndrome at a way higher level than men,” Datar said. “Any time anybody gives me a compliment, I feel that I don’t deserve it, and I find excuses or I find ways of saying ‘No, no, that’s not true.’ I have learned that I am my worst and harshest critic. I don’t think anybody else has the same expectations from me that I set on myself.”

WiSTEM Vice President of Internal Affairs Kaitlyn Su (12) helped organize the event, which the club last hosted prior to the pandemic. She expressed how the topics the teachers raised resonated deeply with her own mindset.

“It taught me a lot about the mistakes I was making in my own life that have prevented me from living my life to the fullest,” Kaitlyn said. “It’s easy to say that you can always do more and you have to do more to achieve at the same level as others or excel. But when you look back on it, then you really don’t enjoy a lot of your life.”

While Furtado and Datar followed indirect paths to their respective fields, Dr. Allersma and Dr. Tao found their passion for STEM early on in life.

Dr. Allersma’s high school chemistry teacher sparked her interest in science, bringing the class to lectures at the University of Pittsburgh. Although she intended to major in chemistry in college, she found that her true interests lay in physics.

Dr. Tao, on the other hand, attributed her love for science to her parents, who were both STEM professors.

“We would have different topics and conversations around the dinner table or at home,” Tao said. “I knew I was a STEM kid when I was eight years old. That was the only part I was interested in, and I always wanted to talk more about it.”

All of the panelists recognized strong mentors who encouraged their pursuits in the STEM field, underscoring the significance of a tight-knit community. Furtado highlighted that in order to push and inspire each other, students themselves must act as guides, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can be that support system for someone else just as that person is your support system,” Furtado said. “You have to remember that if we didn’t have other girlfriends who lifted us up, and we were not those girlfriends with somebody else, we wouldn’t be where we are. You can be that person as well.”