If your passion is STEM and you really want to pursue a career in this field, then absolutely go for it. Believe in yourself and find someone, or even several people, who support you. Moreover, it is important to have great mentors throughout your entire career. There are a number of great online STEM programs and organizations such as “Cybermentor.” Finally, I would like to emphasize that setbacks, struggles, and even failure are completely normal and part of academic life. Never stop learning and never give up. You’ve got this!
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been curious and loved science. At the age of seven, my parents gave me my first microscope, and I started to make my own little experiments, including my first lab journal. I am driven by an intrinsic curiosity that was supported by my parents at all times. However, I did not have one specific scientist as a role model, let alone a female one. Therefore, I started mentoring high-school girls in STEM over 10 years ago. In 2021, I was even awarded the “STEM Ambassador of the Year” by the mentor program “Cybermentor.”
My primary responsibilities are research work in the imaging lab, as well as student supervision and teaching. I am working on a so called “VENI” post-doc project, funded by the Dutch Research Organization NWO. I examine very large optically cleared (transparent) post-mortem human brain and prostate cancer samples, while working with partners in industry, the local hospital, and university to develop novel light-sheet imaging protocols.
To date, there have been many challenges in my career that I’ve had to overcome. During my PhD, my father passed away, and during my post-doc, I lost my baby, which was very hard. My supervisors were very supportive, which is crucial and of utmost importance. Moreover, I had to take a sick leave due to pregnancy complications, which caused additional time pressure to finish my PhD.
The advice I wished I would have received earlier in my journey would have been that it is very important to create a healthy work-life balance from the beginning. Burnout is real, and the competitive work environment in academia is tough. There is simply nothing more important than your physical and mental health.
Anna Schueth
Post-doctoral Researcher, Maastricht University
Born in Germany / Resides in the Netherlands
Educational Background: Diploma in Biology, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany; PhD, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
