Women in Tech: Navigating Work-Life Challenges

For anyone working in today’s rapidly evolving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, visibility, authenticity, and connection are no longer optional; they are essential. But there is a lack of resources for STEM professionals, especially women, looking to express themselves fully, build meaningful networks, and lead with confidence.

To help, IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) recently launched a podcast series in which experts from around the world inspire and inform to ignite change.

The series aims to amplify the diverse experiences of women from STEM fields. Through candid conversations and expert insights, the podcast goes beyond technical talks to explore the human side of innovation, navigating burnout, balancing career ambition with well-being, and building successful, sustainable careers.

The series is a volunteer and staff-run initiative.

“In the early days of planning, our vision was just a spark shared among passionate volunteers eager to shape each episode and guest experience,” says Geetika Tandon, cochair of the IEEE WIE podcast subcommittee. “Seeing our podcast grow from those first conversations into a vibrant reality has been truly rewarding. We can’t wait for it to expand further.”

“I’m excited that we’ve brought the drawings on our whiteboard and day planners to life,” says Kelly Onu, who is also cochair.

New episodes are released on the third Wednesday of each month.

Navigating dual-career dynamics

The podcast’s premier episode, “Moms Who Innovate,” which debuted in May, features candid conversations with two executive coaches, authors, and TEDx speakers. Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, is the founder of African Women in STEM, which provides education, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Cassie Leonard is a seasoned aerospace professional who founded ELMM Coaching. Leonard offers one-on-one advice for professionals looking to grow their career and achieve a better work-life balance. She authored STEM Moms: Design, Build, and Test to Create the Work-Life of Your Dreams, a book that guides women by drawing from her experiences as a working mother.

Onu, who moderated the episode, spoke with Iloeje-Udeogalanya and Leonard about the ebb and flow of being a mother while building a career. Both guests described how their background as engineers shaped the way they approach motherhood and community. They emphasized the importance of creating a support system that makes the busier times of life more manageable.

Leonard said she “engineered her neighborhood” and shares the responsibilities of dropping off children at school, babysitting after school, and other day-to-day tasks.

“As the podcast series grows, our mission is to shine a spotlight on the real-life adventures (and occasional misadventures) of women in STEM. We want to share late-night brainstorms, coffee-fueled breakthroughs, and the moment when someone finally figures out how to unmute themselves on virtual meeting platforms.” —Geetika Tandon

Innovation for moms isn’t only about professional success, the duo said, but also about designing the kind of community that helps them thrive.

The June episode, “Global Perspectives on Women in STEM,” led by Tandon, offered practical strategies for navigating work-life-balance challenges. Together with guest Sanyogita Shamsunder, CTO of telecommunications company GeoLinks in San Francisco, Tandon explored different perspectives of women around the world.

Rawan Alghamdi, a wireless communication researcher at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, in Saudi Arabia, and an IEEE graduate student member hosted August’s episode, “PIE Framework: Presence, Image, and Exposure for Professionals in STEM.” Alghamdi spoke with Jahnavi Brenner, an executive coach and former engineer, who explained the PIE model, which challenges the long-held belief that technical skills alone are enough to advance one’s career.

Brenner said professionals must strategically build an authentic personal brand to dictate how they are perceived by colleagues and how visible they are within their networks and industry. She said it is especially vital for women and underrepresented groups, who often face systemic barriers to recognition and promotion.

October’s episode, “Balancing Work and Life in STEM Careers,” tackled struggles parents face raising a family while working full time. It was moderated by Abinaya Inbamani, a mentor who has contributed to the successful deployment of IoT systems used for smart health care, renewable energy, and cybersecurity.

She covered the intense logistics and emotional toll of balancing a demanding career with the responsibilities of parenthood.

Listeners also learned time-management strategies and boundary-setting techniques, such as reframing guilt as a reminder of care and responsibility rather than failure; accepting that it’s all right to procrastinate occasionally rather than push through unhealthy stress; and organizing the day with clear boundaries between work and home.

“We don’t have to do it all,” Inbamani said. “Sometimes balance is simply choosing what matters most in that moment.”

What’s next for the podcast

Upcoming episodes will focus on being present parents, setting boundaries in high-pressure environments, and redefining success on one’s own terms, Tandon and Onu say.

In the works is an episode spotlighting tech trailblazer Nimisha Morkonda Gnanasekaran, who was recognized by the IEEE Computer Society as one of its Top 30 Early Career Professionals this year. She is the director of data science and advanced analytics at Western Digital, based in San Jose, Calif.

Another episode, Tandon and Onu say, will feature a conversation with Cynthia Kane, author of The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, on navigating difficult workplace conversations without shutting down or losing one’s temper. The episode will tackle critical issues and career struggles women face, Tandon and Onu say. A study that found as many as 50 percent of women leave their STEM career within five years.

Global reach and impact of the podcast

IEEE WIE is seeing the impact the podcast is having on listeners. Several say they tune in not just for advice but also to connect with others. Others say the podcast makes them feel they are not alone in their challenges or career aspirations.

The majority of listeners are in Canada, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United States. Onu says she hopes the audience expands to include more countries.

“I hope this podcast hops across continents, sneaks into earbuds everywhere, and becomes a trusty sidekick in women’s STEM journeys—cheering them on as they conquer equations, break barriers, and maybe even invent a robot that makes perfect coffee,” Tandon says. “As the podcast series grows, our mission is to shine a spotlight on the real-life adventures (and occasional misadventures) of women in STEM. We want to share late-night brainstorms, coffee-fueled breakthroughs, and the moment when someone finally figures out how to unmute themselves on virtual meeting platforms.”

Through personal tales, inspiring journeys, and a parade of trailblazing leaders who have tackled obstacles, IEEE WIE is celebrating the grit, wit, and brilliance of women in STEM.

Whether you’re a student just beginning your STEM journey, a mid-career professional seeking clarity, or a leader looking to give back to your profession, the podcast offers a space to learn, reflect, and rise together.