The Women in
STEM
Network
Professional connection across disciplines, regions and career stages
The Women in STEM Network is a global professional community created by women in STEM, for women in STEM.
We exist to support connection, career progression, visibility, and leadership across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our members span academia, industry, education, policy, entrepreneurship, and every stage of the STEM career lifecycle.
Inside the network, members connect with peers, access mentoring opportunities, share expertise, and take part in a growing programme of events, resources, and community initiatives.
Understand where you are now, rebuild confidence and create a realistic plan for returning to STEM.
Map the stages, priorities and practical actions involved in returning to your STEM career.
Open resourceWork through confidence, identity, concerns and practical preparation before returning.
Open resourceReview the essential steps needed to prepare for a successful return.
Open resourceAssess your confidence, support, availability and readiness to return.
Open resourcePlan priorities, relationships, learning and boundaries for your first three months.
Open resourceIdentify what has affected your confidence and create practical ways to rebuild it.
Open resourceIdentify what has changed, refresh essential knowledge and create a focused plan for rebuilding professional currency.
Compare your current knowledge and experience with the requirements of the roles you want next.
Open resourcePlan how to refresh technical knowledge, tools and sector awareness.
Open resourceDefine what you need to learn, how you will learn it and by when.
Open resourceReview the digital tools, software and platforms relevant to your field.
Open resourceReview memberships, sector knowledge, regulations, terminology and current professional practice.
Open resourceAccess guidance tailored to different reasons for taking time away from work.
Plan a confident and sustainable return after maternity leave.
Open resourceRe-enter STEM after an extended break for any personal or professional reason.
Open resourcePrepare to return after caring for children, relatives or dependants.
Open resourcePlan a supported and realistic return after illness or treatment.
Open resourceRebuild direction, confidence and momentum after redundancy.
Open resourceRefresh your research profile, technical knowledge and academic connections.
Open resourceRe-establish confidence, visibility and strategic influence when returning to leadership.
Open resourcePlan the working arrangements, boundaries and practical support needed for a sustainable return.
Clarify the arrangement you need and prepare how to discuss it with an employer.
Open resourcePrepare the systems, routines and boundaries needed for effective hybrid work.
Open resourceMap childcare arrangements, contingencies, costs and working-hour needs.
Open resourceCreate a realistic plan that balances work, care, health and personal priorities.
Open resourceSet clear boundaries around workload, communication, availability and recovery.
Open resourceRebuild professional confidence, manage self-doubt and protect your wellbeing during the transition.
Recognise imposter thoughts and replace them with more accurate evidence.
Open resourceTrack progress, challenges, evidence and small wins as your confidence grows.
Open resourceUse practical prompts to challenge unhelpful assumptions and regain perspective.
Open resourceCreate a structured plan to rebuild confidence through action and evidence.
Open resourceBuild practical strategies for setbacks, uncertainty and change.
Open resourceReconnect with people, rebuild professional relationships and make your return visible.
Reconnect with former colleagues and build new relationships without feeling awkward.
Open resourceSet realistic networking goals, priority contacts and follow-up actions.
Open resourceIdentify the right kind of mentor and prepare for a useful mentoring relationship.
Open resourceUnderstand sponsorship and identify people who may advocate for your progression.
Open resourcePlan how to use conferences to rebuild knowledge, confidence and connections.
Open resourceCreate a clear introduction that explains your background and current direction.
Open resourceSettle in well, build relationships and create a sustainable foundation once you return.
Prepare the questions, introductions and practical tasks for your first week.
Open resourceSet priorities for learning, relationships, confidence and early contribution.
Open resourcePlan what you need to learn, deliver and establish across your first three months.
Open resourceIdentify key relationships and plan how to build trust and credibility.
Open resourceClarify responsibilities, workload, support and realistic early expectations.
Open resourcePrepare for early check-ins and discuss progress, support and development needs.
Open resourceAccess CV templates, LinkedIn guidance, application resources and job-search tools in the dedicated CV, Job Search & Applications section.