Student Reflection: At the Heart of Science
By Mercy Amiani
Mercy is in her final year of studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She will earn her degree in Clinical Medicine - Radiography. This reflection was written in honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and celebrated on International Women’s Day.
It excites me to see that we, as a society, are getting to a place where what I have to offer is considered more than who or what I am. A round of applause for social change as we celebrate all women and girls in science across the world, we deserve it.
I am studying to become a Radiographer, and my choice for this career was driven by my love for Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry from high school. All along, I wanted to join the medical field. My desire has also been to be a solution provider in the health sector, especially with the rise of various diseases including cancer. I believe it’s possible to detect these diseases earlier and therefore their treatment. I envisage a future where there is the safest radiography-based diagnosis and healthcare practice to meet various health needs for favourable outcomes.
I have always been motivated to pursue the things perceived as hard because I believe in my capabilities alongside my open-mindedness to learn. The fact that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses are driven by facts and give an in-depth understanding of the world around us gave me the drive to go for it. This pursuit has proven to provide an understanding of the human body and healthcare in my case, therefore equipping me with problem-solving and analytical thinking skills, necessary to achieve my goals.
I am not alone; more and more girls are aspiring to join fields in science, and it’s a trend worth cheering for. Communities need to step up and support these ambitions by investing in girls who want to pursue science-related courses. These courses aren’t just about memorizing facts; they’re about developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They’re about unlocking doors to understanding the world around us, enabling us to identify problems and craft lasting solutions. That’s the power of science education. Plus, investing in these girls helps to level the playing field in STEM fields.
Celebrating these women is important because it recognises that women can overcome the barriers set by society’s belief systems by venturing into these courses that are still quite male-dominated. It also creates awareness to other women who have otherwise conformed to the belief that these courses are too difficult, giving them an opportunity to actually consider choosing a career in STEM.
We all have equal chances to dream, despite our gender or specific demographics. My dream is to be at the heart of the new age scientific revolution around health and health care systems and I hope that I am counted as part of the impact. You can dream, too!