The future of science is being shaped by brilliant minds that challenge conventions and push boundaries every day. In 2025, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with the theme "Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science."
This year's theme aims to recognize the critical role women play in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. At Silicon Box, this future is driven by tenacious and resilient women revolutionizing the semiconductor industry through a passion for innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence that allows our customers to break limits.
In a world where only 35% of students in STEM-related fields are women, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by spotlighting our female engineers advancing our mission and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. These engineers are proving that talent does not discriminate between genders.
Meet the #WomenInScience at Silicon Box
We asked these ladies what attracted them to pursue a career in STEM and why they chose to work in the semiconductor industry.
Beth, Chemical Engineering Major
Beth began her semiconductor career over 20 years ago as a working student. Captivated by the fast-paced and innovation-driven nature of the field, she has never looked back. Today, as a proud mother of two accomplished graduates—one of whom is following in her footsteps—Beth is more motivated than ever to take on new challenges and continue her lifelong passion for learning. Beth’s journey in the semiconductor industry is a testament to her dedication to professional growth and her belief that with perspiration and perseverance, anything is possible. Discover more about her inspiring journey
here.
“I chose a career in STEM because I enjoy the rigor of lab work and chemical analysis. It was also very exciting to collaborate with other engineers to optimize processes and discover applications for advanced technology. Being at the forefront of the industry feeds my passion for continuous learning.”
Chia Ling, Chemistry Major
Chia Ling’s fascination with the vibrant spectrum of colors produced by transition metals ignited her passion for chemistry at university. However, it was the combination of technical challenges and real-world applications that inspired her to pursue an engineering role in the semiconductor industry. While she enjoyed the analytical aspects of her work, she hadn't realized how much she also enjoyed collaborating with people. Her mentor recognized this strength, saw her potential as a project manager, and encouraged her to take the leap. Initially hesitant, she embraced the challenge, and it proved to be a perfect fit. The role allowed her to broaden her skillset, have a greater impact on projects. This opportunity also allowed her to blend her scientific background with her desire to contribute to the development of innovative products, proving that with curiosity and determination, one can transform passion into impactful action.
“In chemistry, I was fascinated by how transition metals produce a variety of colors in compounds. My passion for data analysis, trend identification, and collaboration led me to pursue a career in STEM, where I could contribute to creating innovative products.”
What makes you most passionate about your field of work?
The constant evolution of technology means there's always something new to learn, which keeps me engaged and motivated. I'm particularly passionate about working on new products and technologies because it allows me to continuously grow and develop my skills. Being part of a team that's pushing the limits of what's achievable is incredibly rewarding, and it's a passion I enjoy sharing with my family, especially my son.”
What advice would you give young women considering a career in STEM?
Believe in yourself. Don't let stereotypes or outdated perceptions hold you back. Women offer unique perspective and skillsets that are valuable to the industry. Develop resilience, because you may encounter challenges, but don't let those discourage you. And most importantly, find mentors and build a strong network of support, both personally and professionally.
What changes would make STEM more attractive to women?
I think it is important to create an inclusive and supportive environment. This means actively addressing unconscious bias and provide mentorship opportunities to women in STEM. And of course, promoting work-life balance isn't just a perk; it's essential for everyone, but especially for women who may still disproportionately carry the burden of family responsibilities. When women see that STEM offers not just exciting careers but also a supportive and equitable environment, I think we'll see a real shift.
Sin Yen, Chemical Engineering Major
Sin Yen was exposed to the semiconductor industry from a young age. Her hometown, Penang, is a semiconductor hub and she comes from a family of engineers.. Even as a mother of one, she did not hesitate to become one of Silicon Box’s earliest hires. Fortunately, she had the support of her family who encouraged her to take the leap as it would have been “a now or never opportunity to join a startup”, Sin Yen recalled. “My colleagues also helped me achieve a work-life balance because we support each other to keep things moving more efficiently.” Her journey exemplifies how great achievements stem from perseverance and collaboration.
"As a chemical engineer, I enjoy observing the cause-and-effect relationships of reactions. On the other hand, the semiconductor industry offers me the rewarding challenge of problem-solving. This fuels my passion for refining processes and simplifying work procedures to boost efficiency."
Shini, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Major
Shini began her journey with Silicon Box during its early days, becoming the second hire on her team and playing a vital role in supporting her lead engineer. As the youngest member, Shini brings a fresh perspective and a keen passion for problem-solving. Starting as an intern while completing her Master of Science, she embraced the challenge of cutting-edge technology and later transitioned to a full-time role. Shini is continuously in awe with how the smallest of changes can have a huge impact on each project and design.
“I am intrigued by the concept of entropy in both Physics and Circuit Theory. The dynamic nature and continuous innovation in the semiconductor industry excite me, and I am genuinely passionate about the future advancements in cutting-edge technologies.”
Unpacking #STEM Careers at Silicon Box
We topped off the celebration with a heartwarming luncheon, joined by Mike, our Head of Business, and Rebecca, our HR Lead. We shared personal stories and unraveled the nuances of navigating life while pursuing a career in STEM as women, discovering how similar our experiences are, even though we might have different backgrounds.
A key takeaway from our conversations was the importance of one's environment and support system in shaping a career in STEM that works for women. This is especially true in engineering and semiconductor companies that require shift work.
"For my team, we are predominantly women because our function is heavier on data analysis versus hands-on engineering-type work, but we are a valuable team to collaborate with because other engineering teams need our support and analytical approach to validate ideas with data," adds Sin Yen; proving another point that we should aim to remove the stigma of STEM careers being predominantly male because there are roles that women are increasingly needed and may even be better adapted to fill.
Silicon Box's Commitment to #WomenInScience
As a fast-scaling start-up company with most of our employees being hired in the past year and a half, we are fortunate to have begun with a foundational team that embodies our core values of inclusiveness, care, equality, and collaboration, supported by a growing cohort of employees who continue to believe in our mission even though we are still building up the business and company policies to truly fulfill it.
Rebecca, our HR Lead, noted, “Typically, it takes about two to three years for a company to fully develop employee welfare policies and programs. As a startup, we are building everything from the ground up. Therefore, our first and subsequent hires play a crucial role in shaping the company culture. It is important to keep an open mind and seek feedback on how we can better support all our employees.”
“We aspire for Silicon Box to set a standard in the semiconductor industry by creating an appealing environment for women. To achieve this, we must foster a safe space for women to voice their concerns, ideas, hopes, and dreams. This will enable them to contribute to the development of programs and support systems, especially while we are starting up," shared Mike Han, Head of Business
Looking forward
So what are you waiting for?! We hope that our story encourages more women and girls to pursue careers in STEM to address the challenges of gender equality in these fields. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring engineer, or someone passionate about innovation, there's a place for you in Silicon Box to shape the future of work and technologies.
Connect with us to learn more about career opportunities and how you can be part of our innovative team driving scientific excellence forward.
#February11 #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #BreakingBarriers #WomenInSemicon
