Do Women in Energy need a STEM Background to be Successful?
Women in Energy panel discussion in Houston TX. Photo courtesy of CERAWeek.
An Entrepreneur’s Perspective
Last week I attended the Women in Energy dinner at CERAWeek. The panel were highly accomplished women who shared snapshots of their personal journey and opportunities, which was both a morale boost and entertaining. I found Kathleen Ash, CEO of Denbury, particularly enjoyable to listen to for her amusing anecdotes. Balancing all the perceived requirements for perfection across the board – parenting, business, appearance, accomplishments - is a shared struggle!
Towards the end of the panel session, the moderator asked, “do you need a STEM background to be successful in the energy sector?” I was eager to hear their answers, however I did consider that it was perhaps challenging to ask the person who had a STEM background, and whose parents both had a STEM background for a balanced view. Although they did emphasise the importance of diversity. It takes everyone. That’s an inclusive statement, but what does it mean?
My own background is in consumer facing brand and marketing in FMCG. I studied environmental design in architecture and arts. Moving from that to innovation in energy technology has been a leap, but it’s one I made ten years ago.
I think about what is required to be successful in energy from an innovator’s, or entrepreneur’s perspective. And the principle applies to many other sectors. When you see a problem that people need a solution to, and you have a solution to that problem, sometimes it’s better not to see all the hurdles to delivery or else some wouldn’t dare. This is the big problem of transformative innovation in the energy transition. If you’re in the middle of it and have been for years, it can be a wood and trees issue that only fresh eyes can see differently. This is a critical factor for innovation teams. Diversity isn’t just about different informed opinions; it’s also about simple questions from the intern that prompt new thinking for specialists deep in the weeds.
Keeping your focus on solving the problem for people, for your customer, and then surrounding yourself with the specialists who have the potential to deliver on that is one way to be successful without having a STEM background. Being focused on the outcomes and measured impact, and leading your specialists to refine on that basis doesn’t necessarily require detailed technical understanding.
Yes, you should learn along the way and build your knowledge base, just not so much that it distracts you from what success means for your purpose and brand.
