Being a woman in science can present extra challenges, but one student group is making a big difference.
Elisabeth Christensen is a pre-medical public health major with an emphasis in health science. When she first started on the track, she noticed she was often one of, if not the only, woman in many of her labs and classes.
“I saw all these guys having their buddies in there that they made in other classes,” Christensen said. “It was really tough.”
Pre-medical student Lia Whisenant had a similar experience.
“I was kind of sick of it, especially being in labs with only it being me and a ton of married men that don't get all my jokes,” Whisenant said.
Finding the Women in Science club was more than just a good addition to these students' resumes; it was a community that could support them in all their aspirations.
“This is the place where I belong,” Christensen said.
Christensen believes visibility of women in science is important because it inspires other young women to believe they can do it too.
“A lot of my role models growing up were all men, and so Women in Science was really important to me," Christensen said. "It created an example that I could one day help be an example that I never got to have.”
The club hosts a variety of activities, such as a panel of female professionals in medicine, sessions on how to write a resume, tips for applying for graduate school and activities like bracelet making.
“If you're an ambitious girl, then this is like the right and perfect place for you,” Whisenant said. “It fosters that sense of feeling like you want to do something with your life and your future and it gets you excited about all the possibilities.”
Students interested in joining the club can visit the BYU clubs website and stay updated about future activities on the BYU Women in Science Instagram page.