Name: Gabriela Filip

Country: Sweden

Highest level of education: Master’s Degree

Major or field of study: Industrial Engineering & Economics

Current position: IT Senior Manager for Supply Chain

Gabriela Filip is an IT Senior Manager for Supply Chain based in Sweden. She holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering & Economics and brings expertise in optimising supply chain processes through advanced IT solutions.

Obstacles Gabriela encountered throughout her educational and professional journey

As a young student, Gabriela often wondered whether the knowledge she was gaining in school—such as memorising formulas and definitions—would be relevant in the real world. She began to doubt if her education was keeping pace with modern challenges. On top of that, societal perceptions that engineering and industrial machinery weren’t fields for young women made her question her career choices even further.

Strategies and actions adopted by Gabriela to overcome these obstacles

Gabriela overcame these uncertainties early in her professional career when she had the opportunity to work directly in the field alongside male technicians. Rather than feeling intimidated, she embraced the chance to learn from them, despite their more practical, hands-on approach compared to her theoretical background. She asked questions, listened closely, and also shared her own knowledge. This mutual exchange of ideas helped bridge the gap between their differing educational backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. To overcome the internal doubts about her abilities as a woman in engineering, Gabriela stepped out of her comfort zone and adopted a mindset of resilience. She reminded herself that boundaries are often self-imposed and that people are generally more supportive and collaborative than we may initially believe.

Key lessons and insights gained from Gabriela’s experience

This journey taught Gabriela several invaluable lessons that she still carries with her today:

• Uncertainty and self-doubt can be overcome by taking proactive steps to learn and adapt.
• The key to overcoming differences—whether in culture, gender, or education—lies in open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to share knowledge.
• Personal growth often happens beyond the comfort zone, requiring grit and resilience to face challenges.
• People are generally more willing to help and collaborate than we expect, as long as we approach them with openness and kindness.

The importance of increasing female representation in STEM education and careers

Gabriela’s experience taught her that gender should never define one’s ability to succeed in STEM—what truly matters is curiosity, collaboration, and resilience. She believes that having more women and girls in STEM is crucial because diversity brings fresh perspectives, drives innovation, and challenges outdated stereotypes. Women offer unique insights and approaches to problem-solving, and their inclusion ensures that STEM fields better represent and address the needs of all of society.

Encouraging more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM

To encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM, Gabriela believes it’s essential to highlight strong role models, offer mentorship opportunities, and provide early, hands-on exposure to these fields. It’s important to show that STEM careers aren’t just about coding or abstract theories—they involve a wide range of technical and practical skills relevant across many industries today. Fields like engineering, industrial design, and healthcare technology, for instance, focus on solving real-world problems and often don’t require extensive coding or theoretical knowledge. Instead, they demand an understanding of how technology and systems work in practice.

By offering girls and women opportunities to engage in hands-on projects—whether it’s working with machines, exploring robotics, or tackling environmental engineering challenges—we can demonstrate the tangible value of technology and its real-world applications. For Gabriela, when she began her professional career, it wasn’t just her theoretical knowledge that made a difference; it was her ability to collaborate with technicians, learn practical skills, and adapt to real-world situations.

If we shift the focus to teaching the practical applications and problem-solving aspects of STEM, rather than filling classrooms with abstract concepts, these fields will become more accessible and appealing to girls. By fostering an environment where they can see the direct impact of STEM through real-world applications, we can demystify these fields, break down stereotypes, and inspire the confidence that they belong in STEM just as much as anyone else.

Gabriela’s advice to young girls considering a career in STEM

• Believe in yourself: Don’t let stereotypes or doubts hold you back—STEM needs your unique perspective and ideas. 

• Focus on practical learning: Engage in hands-on projects, experiments, or problem-solving activities to see how STEM applies to real-world challenges.

• Ask questions and seek help: Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance—people are often willing to share their knowledge if you’re open and curious. 

• Step out of your comfort zone: Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow, and build resilience to overcome obstacles. 

• Understand the diversity in STEM: Careers in STEM go beyond coding or theory; they’re about understanding systems, solving problems, and applying technology in various ways. 

• Find mentors and role models: Look for people who inspire you and can guide you on your journey, showing you that there’s a place for you in STEM. 

• Stay curious and collaborative: Work with others, share ideas, and keep learning—these skills will take you far in any STEM field.