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Good morning, STEM enthusiasts! Women’s History Month is a celebration of trailblazing women—past and present—who’ve broken barriers and redefined what’s possible. Their impact is everywhere, from science and tech to activism and art. It’s a time to learn, reflect, and give long-overdue credit to the women who’ve shaped our world.

Today’s issue:
🔎Job Spotlight: Day in the Life of a Digital IT Wiz!
🔬Women’s History Month: Meet Katya: Engineer & Astronaut Extraordinaire!
💡Career Development Tips: Stop Underselling Yourself - 3 Ways to Secure That Promotion
🧫Internships: Act Fast: Biotech Internship Opportunities!

STEM JOB OF THE WEEK
Day in the Life of a Digital IT Wiz!

Think of an IT Specialist in a pharmaceutical company as the tech wizard behind the scenes. They make sure everything runs smoothly—from keeping research data safe to making sure lab and manufacturing systems don’t crash at the worst time. They fix tech issues, manage networks, and ensure all software follows strict industry rules. Whether it’s protecting confidential drug development files or keeping cloud systems up for clinical trials, they’re the ones keeping things secure and running. Basically, they’re the backbone of pharma tech, making sure scientists and engineers can do their thing without tech headaches!

Major:
- Computer science, information technology, cyber security, bio-informatics, management information systems, or related science fields.

Entry Level Roles:
- Information Technology (IT) Specialist, System Analyst, Computer Network Architect, Database Administrator, Business Analyst, IT Solution Architect, IT Project Manager, Cybersecurity Engineer

Job functions:
- IT Specialists maintain and improve the technical systems of a company to ensure all employees have the technology they need to complete their work and the organization’s important files, and information remain safe and intact. IT Specialists often have the following responsibilities:
— Review diagnostics and assess the functionality and efficiency of systems
— Implement security measures
— Monitor security certificates and company compliance of requirements
— Offer technical support to company staff and troubleshoot computer problems
— Install and update company software and hardware as needed
— Anticipate and report the cost of replacing or updating computer items

Skills Needed:
- Working knowledge of relevant operating systems, software, and programming; excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills; keen attention to detail; good organization, time management and prioritization; troubleshooting, excellent communication skills.

Salary Landscape:
- The salary range varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and skill level.
- An entry-level IT Specialist can expect an annual salary ranging from $35,529 - $129,778 with the average at $83,012 per year in the United States.  (Source: Zip Recruiter) 

SPECIAL EDITION: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Celebrating Women’s History: Meet Katya: Engineer & Astronaut Extraordinaire!

Katya Echazarreta’s journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and breaking barriers. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, she moved to the U.S. at a young age and pursued her dream of a career in STEM. Katya earned a degree in electrical engineering from UCLA and went on to work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to high-profile missions like the Perseverance Rover, Europa Clipper, and Mars 2020.

But her impact extends far beyond engineering. In June 2022, Katya made history as the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space, selected for Space for Humanity’s Citizen Astronaut Program. She flew aboard Blue Origin’s NS-21 mission, becoming a global symbol of representation and possibility in the space industry.

Committed to inspiring the next generation, Katya is a passionate science communicator and STEM advocate, particularly for women and underrepresented communities.

She has hosted educational science programs for platforms like CBS, Netflix, and YouTube, using her voice to make STEM more accessible. She also founded the Fundación Espacial Katya Echazarreta, an organization dedicated to expanding STEM education opportunities in Mexico.

Through her groundbreaking achievements, advocacy, and dedication to education, Katya continues to prove that no dream is out of reach—even the stars. 👩‍🚀👩‍🚀

CAREER DEVELOPMENT TIPS
Stop Underselling Yourself: 3 Ways to Secure That Promotion!

Here’s the hard truth: your work won’t speak for itself—you have to speak for it.

Too often, talented STEM professionals assume that if they just work hard enough, someone will eventually notice and reward them. But in reality, promotions and raises don’t go to the hardest workers—they go to the people who can clearly articulate their value.

So, how do you confidently advocate for yourself when the time comes? Here are three proven strategies to help you secure that next big opportunity

Track & Quantify Your Wins
Your impact is measurable—so measure it. Keep a running document of your achievements, big and small, including metrics, completed projects, and leadership contributions. The more specific you can be, the stronger your case.

💡Example: Instead of saying “I helped optimize the team’s workflow,” say “I implemented a new workflow automation that reduced project turnaround time by 30%, increasing efficiency across the department.”

Frame Your Work in Terms of Business Impact
Leadership teams care about results—not just effort. Whether you work in research, engineering, or data science, you need to connect your work to the bigger picture.

Ask yourself:
🎯Did I save the company time or money?
🎯Did I improve a process, product, or system?
🎯Did I contribute to revenue growth or customer satisfaction?

Advocate for Yourself (Before You’re Ready)
Waiting until you feel 100% qualified to ask for a raise or promotion? Don’t. Research shows that people (especially women and underrepresented professionals in STEM) often hold back until they meet every qualification—while others go for it even if they’re only 60% there.

Start laying the groundwork early:
🎯Schedule regular check-ins with your manager
🎯Let leadership know your career aspirations
🎯Make your value visible - speak up in meetings, take initiative, and document your wins

Here’s Your Next Step:
Take five minutes today and write down your biggest accomplishments from the last six months. What projects did you lead? What challenges did you solve? If you have to make a case for a promotion today, what would you say?

Tell me one win you’re proud of? I’d love to hear it.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACT FAST: BIOTECH INTERNSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES
Think of internships as your backstage pass to the real world of work. They let you test-drive your career, gain hands-on experience, and make connections that could land you your first job.

Sure, classes teach you the basics, but having real-world experience on your resume gives you a serious edge over other grads.

Internships:
👉🏼 Micro-Internships: Paid, remote, short-term flexible internships. Short project-centered experiences, you can demonstrate your skills, explore career paths, and expand your professional network. Create a profile.
👉🏼 Biotech, Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research Internships in California: The latest internships from top life sciences employers, all at your fingertips.
👉🏼 Biotechnology Summer Intern Program: Explore some biotech internships within California.
👉🏼 Indeed Internships: Explore some Biotech internships throughout the USA
👉🏼NASA Internship Programs: NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities while working with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world.
👉🏼Vertex Summer Intern Program: The Vertex Summer Intern Program offers students the opportunity to learn about the pharmaceutical industry through a hands-on experience as well as mentoring and coaching from Vertex managers.

Workshops
👉🏼 Simplicity Intro & Resume Builder Workshop: March 10th, March 17th, March 24th @ 1:00pm PST
👉🏼 Cover Letter / Interest Statement Workshop: March 13th, March 20th, March 27th @ 1:00pm PST