This week’s Wednesday’s Women in STEM features Magdalena Migacz, a graduate student studying environmental sciences in Barcelona, Spain. Magdalena is hoping to make a difference in the fight against climate change through her STEM studies. She also speaks three languages and is learning a forth!
When did you first become interested in STEM?
I started to being interested in STEM when I was small girl. I always wanted to do stuff related to marine sciences and during my school journey I picked up many STEM subjects. Because of that I chose undergraduate school with STEM subject (Marine Biology) and now I’m doing graduate school related to environmental sciences. I think the most exciting part about being in STEM is the idea of discovering new things and being able to impact world in the future. Currently humanity is faced with climate change and I think it is important to encourage young people to take action. I want my job to mean something and I can find it in the STEM world.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I studied at University of Hull marine biology and currently I’m studying master degree of environmental science in Barcelona. My experience was overall very good, however I experienced that the perception of women in science is not as equal as for men, especially when looking for internship opportunities.
What is your current career?
I’m currently a master degree student of environmental science, so I use the interests of STEM in my everyday life. At the end of this year I’ll be conducting my own research master thesis project in terms of global change and environmental challenges.
What do you like most about your current job? What do you find most challenging?
Currently I’m not at work, but at university. However, on an academic level the most challenging is to come up with your own project and find institutes who would like to grant your projects in terms of money.
What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM activities or careers?
I would tell them to not listen to people who say that there is no space for women in the world of science. I think that girls should have an open mind, always look for opportunities, and look for interesting degrees at universities.
Anything else our girls would be interested in knowing about you?
I think that the interesting thing is that I come from Poland but I lived in the UK and currently I’m living in Barcelona. I can speak Spanish, English, Polish and I’m studying the Korean language. I have always wanted to pursue a career in the academic world, however many times I was discouraged about the idea of it. Therefore, I know what difficulties girls face at the beginning of their search for their way.