In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Anushila Chatterjee who currently leads the program and curriculum design at VigyaanShaala International . In this candid chat, she talks at length about her journey so far, her passion towards mentoring, elaborates upon some challenges faced while balancing diverse roles and also shares some valuable insights gained over time.
Can you elaborate on your career journey and what led you to pursue science and STEM?
I used to be a professional athlete in school. I was a national gymnast and involved in sports. In class 9, we had a new science teacher who came in. The way she explained science, and taught us, made it more fun than what you typically see in books. That is when I started enjoying science, observing things around me, and learning.
I also realized that even as a kid, I spent my free time doing things related to science without realizing it. For instance, I would take different leaves, paste them on paper, brush them with a crayon, and observe different patterns. I used to wonder why each leaf had unique patterns. I also played around with homeopathy bottles, filling them up with different liquids, and pretending to be a scientist. These were all science-related activities I did unknowingly. However, in school, I didn’t enjoy science as much, until that teacher came and changed my perception of how interesting science could be. That is when I realized that I wanted to work with living things and, eventually, I fell in love with biology during 11th and 12th grade.
Microbiology was part of our syllabus, and I found it fascinating to learn about microbes, something invisible to the naked eye. It was a new and emerging subject at that time, so I decided to give it a try. I loved it, and I wanted to take it further. I didn’t want my science journey to end after obtaining my masters. Wanting to contribute to this field, I pursued my PhD and postdoc.
We often face rejections, setbacks, and challenges in our career journey. Could you tell us about your biggest rejection or failure in your career journey and how you overcame it?
I would say there were two significant challenges that I faced after completing my PhD when I was looking for postdocs. Each PhD journey is different-; some might have several published papers by the end, while others might still be working on their publications. In my case, I had finished my paper, and it was still under review. Finding a postdoc without a publication is highly competitive, and that was challenging.
Additionally, my PhD advisor, while very supportive, had an old-school approach to postdoc applications. He would provide references and recommendations but didn’t actively forward CVs or suggest specific labs to apply to. So, I had to apply at many places before identifying a suitable lab. It was a stressful time, while I kept trying and exploring different directions. Ultimately, I found the perfect postdoc position, and it worked out really well for me. The key takeaway was persistence and not limiting myself to a few options. I explored diverse labs with interesting science, spoke to different people, and found the right fit.
Persistence and being open to diverse opportunities truly paid off for you. Now, moving on to another aspect of your career, I noticed from your LinkedIn profile that you have been involved in diverse roles, such as being a researcher, academic program designer and manager, STEM mentor, and trainer. Balancing all these roles can be demanding. How do you manage your time and responsibilities effectively, and how did you venture into being a part of all this?
Yes, you are right; it can be demanding to manage diverse roles. My journey into these roles was gradual and driven by my passion to contribute and make a difference.
During my postdoc, I actively volunteered in various activities at the university, organizing conferences, and symposiums, and engaging with graduate student organizations and postdoc associations. I found joy in interacting with people from different backgrounds and solving problems with varied perspectives. During my postdoc, I was part of a new lab and actively involved in setting up the lab. I had the opportunity to mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a master’s student, a PhD student, and a lab technician with different levels of expertise. This allowed me to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and gain experience in mentoring people with varying skill sets.
Teaching and mentoring were always close to my heart, and I actively mentored Masters and graduate students during my postdoc, gaining valuable experience in working with diverse projects and people.
The mentoring experience during my postdoc made me realize that I didn’t want to be solely focused on teaching. I enjoyed mentoring and interacting with students, teaching them not just scientific facts, but also instilling a scientific temperament. I wanted to encourage them to ask questions and actively engage in the learning process. Additionally, I enjoyed participating in various activities outside the lab, such as organizing conferences and events, which allowed me to interact with people from different backgrounds, and solve problems collaboratively. These experiences made me appreciate the broader impact of my work, beyond a single academic institution.
The decision to transition to my current role was not planned beforehand. As I was interviewing for different positions after my postdoc, I had already been involved with Kalpana – She for STEM at VigyanShaala International. During the academic interviews, I came across questions that didn’t resonate with me, and it made me reflect on what I truly wanted as a career. I reflected on myself and started to reconsider my decisions – Why exactly did I want to be a professor? What about being a professor attracts me? What kind of lifestyle am I looking for? I realized that what I really like is interacting with the students. I wanted to teach not just science. Rather – I wanted to inculcate a scientific temperament in them. While being a professor appealed to me I realized that as a professor I could only impact a limited number of students at a specific college.
That is when I recognized the potential impact I could have through VigyanShaala. The organization’s mission and vision resonated with me deeply. As a woman in STEM myself, I understood the challenges faced by women in the field, and I wanted to contribute to empowering and supporting them. Thus, my reach extended far beyond a single college, allowing me to make a more significant difference to the lives of aspiring scientists. These factors led me to transition to this role, despite it being a new field for me. There is a lot of joy in the learning process and a feeling of fulfillment in contributing to social development.
That’s impressive how you found your way into these roles and are making a positive impact. As someone who has worked internationally, how do you feel about the representation of women in STEM, in India? What are your observations on this front?
The representation of women in STEM workforce in India and the world is still very low. The numbers vary across different fields, with engineering having less representation compared to life sciences. The challenge is not just restricted to their initial entry into STEM but with the progression of women in their respective STEM careers. There is a significant drop-off as women move from undergraduate level to higher education or jobs in STEM fields. Although India has one of the highest number of women taking up STEM at the UG level, 2 out of 3 of these women fall off the STEM pipeline after their UG completion. This leaky pipeline is something we need to address urgently. There are organizations and initiatives that are working to tackle these issues, but more efforts are required to create an inclusive and supportive environment for women in STEM. We need to act now for a strong upheaval and redressal of this situation.
Speaking of fostering inclusivity, your work with the Kalpana- She for STEM program has impacted students globally. How does it feel when students from around the world express their appreciation for your mentorship?
Well, I believe my impact as a mentor is for my mentees to decide, but I do find joy and motivation in seeing my mentees succeed. Interacting with these students from diverse backgrounds is an enriching experience. When I see them passionately pursuing their goals and overcoming challenges, it encourages me to give my best as a mentor. It is a two-way street; the dedication and enthusiasm of my mentees is mutual. It feels great to know that I can make a visible difference to someone else’s life, just like someone did for me when I was starting my journey.
Moving on to discussing the curricula that you have been involved in designing for both – the Kalpana Program, as well as the ReAct Program ; could you please share your goals and how you achieve them through these programs?
Kalpana’s curriculum was already in place when I joined the team, and we continuously evolve that based on our interactions and feedbacks with the students as well as other stakeholders. Our main goal with Kalpana is to give students the ability to explore various STEM careers, understand their options, and build confidence in their chosen paths. Through exposure to role models and interactive sessions, we help students find diverse opportunities available in STEM. Kalpana has multiple stages, from online learning and mentor interactions to research projects and internships, facilitating a comprehensive experience.
ReAct, on the other hand, was an initiative I started with when I realized that many undergraduate students lacked research exposure. I wanted to make research opportunities accessible to all and not restrict them just to students from prestigious institutions. Our goal with ReAct was to introduce students to the world of research, and help them make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.
I learnt that you are moonlighting an entrepreneurial endeavor. If you’re comfortable sharing, could you tell us more about it and how it came about?
My entrepreneurial endeavor is in its early stages, and the idea is quite broad at the moment. It stemmed from my observation that finding jobs for PhDs in India, beyond a postdoc, can be challenging. Often, we are prepared for academia or industry positions, but there’s a lack of proper training and guidance on other potential career paths. Additionally, I noticed a drop-off in women pursuing STEM careers after completing their PhDs, which is a loss of highly skilled talent. My long-term goal is to create a platform that supports women PhDs, especially those who took a career break, and helps them re-enter and stay in the STEM field, leveraging their unique skills and knowledge. I believe that empowering women in STEM will have a significant impact on society as a whole.
That’s a noble and impactful vision. Empowering women in STEM and providing support to re-enter the field after career breaks is crucial for fostering diversity and innovation. Considering your experiences and growth in the field, what advice would you give young students aspiring to pursue research or a career in STEM?
Firstly, explore different fields and career options. Do not limit yourself to a single subject; STEM is about being interdisciplinary, and hence diverse skills can be valuable. Secondly, have a clear vision of your goals, both academically and professionally. Understand what you want to achieve and where you see yourself in the future. Thirdly, networking is crucial. Connect with people in your field, talk to mentors, and seek guidance. Networking can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable insights. Lastly, don’t be afraid of making mistakes or facing challenges. Learn from them, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.
Looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of networking and how it could positively impact my career. Networking not only helps in finding opportunities like postdocs and jobs, it provides valuable insights into lab environments, potential mentors, and research projects. Building a strong network can be a game-changer in one’s career. Hence, my advice to students and early-career researchers would be to actively network, connect with peers and professionals, and seek guidance from mentors. It can make a significant difference to their journey.
