The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a well-documented issue, often framed as a 'leaky pipeline.' Much research focuses on educational access and retention, neglecting the experiences of women post-higher education. This study addresses this gap by exploring the heterogeneous experiences of female STEM professionals in regional Australia. It aims to identify both barriers and enablers influencing their STEM journeys, focusing particularly on positive influences that have enabled their success. The researchers conducted interviews to investigate how childhood aspirations, perceptions of equal opportunities, and experiences of barriers and enablers shaped the STEM career paths of 25 women working in STEM in regional Australia.

Existing literature often separates individual and structural barriers to women's STEM engagement. A focus on individual barriers can wrongly place the onus of adaptation solely on women, ignoring societal pressures and the diverse perspectives women bring. While some research minimizes the impact of cultural and discriminatory factors, others highlight persistent barriers such as the 'old boys' club', lack of role models, sexism, and work-life balance conflicts. Motherhood is identified as a significant factor impacting women's careers in STEM. Conversely, research suggests that positive measures of inclusion, such as supportive learning environments and mentoring, are crucial for enabling women's success. The literature indicates a need for institutional and societal change, rather than solely focusing on individual solutions.

This qualitative study employed a snowball sampling strategy within a pre-existing network of women in STEM in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Twenty-five women currently employed in academic or industry settings participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by the first two authors. Interviews, lasting 15–75 minutes, explored childhood aspirations, perceptions of equal opportunities, and experiences of barriers and enablers. Transcripts were checked for accuracy by participants. Qualitative data analysis using NVivo 12 software involved both deductive and inductive coding to identify themes. Codes were categorized into 'Barriers' and 'Enablers' themes. The analysis focuses on the most prevalent themes, omitting less frequently mentioned experiences to maintain focus.

The analysis revealed key barriers and enablers influencing the participants' STEM career paths. The most common barriers included: a gendered workplace characterized by an 'old boys' club' culture, lack of confidence to complain about discrimination, workplace isolation, difficulty gaining promotions, and experiences of sexual harassment. Societal sexism and gender stereotypes were also prominent, including perceptions of gendered ability, lack of female role models, childhood conditioning, lack of awareness about STEM careers, and mixed feelings about positive discrimination. Motherhood and work-family balance challenges further impacted career progression. Conversely, enablers included possessing a determined and resilient personality, a broad skill base, a belief in equal ability, natural aptitude for STEM, supportive teachers and mentors, the presence of female role models, a supportive family environment, a more equitable workplace, and internal motivations such as childhood interest in STEM, lifelong interest, and a desire for purposeful work. Figure 1 visually depicts the frequency of mentions of the top eight factors, highlighting the prevalence of both individual enablers and systemic barriers.

This study's findings demonstrate a complex interplay between individual attributes and systemic barriers influencing women's success in STEM. The prominence of individual factors (resilience, determination, early interest) as enablers highlights the remarkable tenacity of women navigating a challenging landscape. However, this should not overshadow the significance of persistent structural barriers such as gendered workplaces, societal expectations surrounding motherhood and family responsibilities, and lack of awareness regarding STEM career paths. The findings underscore the need to address these systemic issues to create a more equitable and inclusive STEM environment. Addressing the challenges associated with motherhood is crucial, as is promoting greater awareness of STEM careers from a young age. The mixed perceptions of positive discrimination highlight the need for carefully implemented and communicated policies to avoid unintended negative consequences.

This study reveals the significant resilience and determination of women who have succeeded in STEM, despite pervasive systemic barriers. While individual attributes like early interest and competitive nature contribute to success, these traits shouldn't be necessary for participation. Addressing structural inequalities through societal and institutional changes is crucial for creating a truly inclusive STEM environment. Future research should focus on the experiences of women who did not persist in STEM, and explore the effectiveness of interventions aimed at dismantling both individual and structural barriers.

The study's findings are limited by the time elapsed since data collection (up to four years prior to publication). The sample, drawn from a pre-existing network of women currently employed in STEM, may not fully represent the experiences of women who were unable to attain or maintain employment in STEM. Future research should include women from broader populations to enhance generalizability.