Early Career Challenges as a Late Twenty-Something Woman Marine Biologist

The combination of being at the early stages of your career and dealing with gender bias can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. Today I felt the need to pour this into writing, so heres a glimpse into my world, the challenges I (and many others) face and how I’m doing my best to overcome them.

I hope I don’t leap into this post sounding to ranty… But the struggle for credibility is real. One of the most pervasive issues I encounter is not being taken seriously. Despite my education (a BSc (hons) and an MRes in progress), years of training (I worked in industry for 4 years) and dedication, there’s an underlying scepticism that I constantly battle. For women scientists, It’s not uncommon for our ideas to be overlooked, or for our suggestions to be attributed to male colleagues. The subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) condescension can be infuriating. This struggle for credibility isn’t just about personal validation either - it has in the past impacted my ability to contribute effectively and grow professionally.

The marine biology field (like many scientific disciplines) is still predominantly male dominated, especially when it comes to senior positions. This gender imbalance often leads to unconscious (and conscious) biases that affect how women are perceived and treated. There have been times when I felt pigeonholed into administrative or support roles, rather than being recognised for my scientific capabilities and this flows into the jobs that I have had the confidence to apply for e.g. Often in the past when I’ve been searching through jobs, my eye automatically gets drawn to the more administrative roles due to a lack of confidence in my capabilities to apply for a more scientific, leadership-based role. Stereotypes about women being less competent or less suited for leadership roles are not just outdated - they’re harmful and limiting and we soak them up unconsciously.

Perhaps the most painful aspect of these challenges to me is the constant feeling of unrealised potential. I know that I have the skills, passion and intelligence to excel in my field. However, the barriers erected by gender bias often I feel prevent me from fully demonstrating my abilities, along with making me doubt my capability. This has had an emotional toll on me. The frustration of dealing with these obstacles is not just a professional burden - it can sometimes feel deeply personal. It’s disheartening to pour your heart and soul into your work, only to feel like you’re constantly being undermined or undervalued. The stress and emotional strain can be overwhelming, making it difficult to maintain motivation and confidence.

Snorkelling in the Isles of Scilly has been my meditation practice this summer

Despite these challenges, I find strength in my passion for marine biology and the natural world and my determination to make a difference. I’ve also learned the importance of finding allies and senior mentors who can offer support and guidance. Surrounding myself with a network of like-minded individuals, both men and women, who understand and advocate for gender equality has been invaluable, along with a strong network of friends who can hear me out over a cuppa at the end of the day (crucial). It was this learning that led me to choose my current supervisor for my research masters. An incredible woman in science who also has a family and children alongside her impressive career. I admire her deeply and take strength and inspiration from her work and who she is as a person. She is my role model!

I do believe that change is possible. It just requires persistent effort and advocacy from all parties. By speaking out about my experiences and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality (such as Women’s Environmental Network - WEN) I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment in marine biology. I know that change doesn’t happen overnight, but every small step forward is surely progress.

To other women in science who are facing similar struggles, know that you are not alone. Your experiences are valid, and your contributions are essential. Continue to push forward but be sure to prioritise your wellbeing and seek out supportive communities (friends and role model female scientists). Also, don’t forget to advocate for yourself and others. You’re doing bloody great!

Navigating the early stages of my career as a late twenty-something woman in marine biology is undeniably challenging. However, it’s also an opportunity to grow stronger, build resilience and contribute to meaningful change not just in the scientific sense, but also towards the wellbeing of researchers. I remain committed to my passion and determined to reach my full potential in a healthy and balanced way. I strongly believe I shouldn’t have to ruin my mental and physical health as a trade-off for getting where I want to go in my career. I have every faith that one day, we will achieve a world where every scientist is valued for their talent and dedication - regardless of gender.

Woman marine biologist

For further reading, I reccomend this scientific paper by Giakoumi et al. 2021:

Sylvaine Giakoumi, Cristina Pita, Marta Coll, Simonetta Fraschetti, Elena Gissi, Isidora Katara, Elena Lloret-Lloret, Francesca Rossi, Michelle Portman, Vanessa Stelzenmüller, Fiorenza Micheli (2021).

'Persistent gender bias in marine science and conservation calls for action to achieve equity,

Biological Conservation'. Volume 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109134