The theme of this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ‘From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap’, reflects the ongoing underrepresentation of women in scientific roles and the need to challenge sometimes archaic assumptions around who belongs in the lab, workshop, or boardroom. As a company passionate about supporting women in STEM, we strive to encourage those pursuing careers in the optics and photonics industry to flourish. To mark the day, we asked members of Knight Optical US to share personal experiences of working in the field and offer their advice to anyone considering a similar route.
The Value of Women in STEM
According to UNESCO, as few as 35% of STEM graduates are women, and just one in ten STEM leaders are female. Dig deeper, and the disparity holds: only one in three researchers worldwide is a woman, and a mere 22% of STEM jobs in G20 countries are held by women.
Considering women make up roughly 50% of the population, there’s a significant amount of skill and innovation going untapped; all in a global sector struggling with a hugely publicised skills shortage. Fewer women holding senior positions also results in a lack of role models for future talent, fuelling a cycle that simply narrows the workforce even further. At Knight Optical, we understand the importance of breaking this pattern, whether that’s fostering an environment where women excel in in-house, hands-on positions or championing their contributions.
Visibility and Progress in the Optics and Photonics Sector
That said, things are shifting. Emily Simmons, Knight Optical’s US Sales Supervisor, has seen it first-hand. “Several of today’s trade shows now host dedicated seminars recognising the talented women in STEM and optics who are attending these conferences,” she comments. “I think it really shines a positive light on all the hard work women do in the field to make the discoveries possible and gives them the credit they’re due.”
But growth doesn’t need to solely happen at trade shows; it needs to be put into practice on the ground, too. Morgan Lacroix, US Brand and Sales Manager, regularly leads technical sales discussions and actively works to elevate other women to present and contribute. “Some people still default to assuming the ‘technical expert’ in the room is male,” she notes. “However, encouraging others to recognise and trust women’s technical expertise opens opportunities across the sector.”
A Message to Future Female STEM Leaders
Bridging the gender gap also means starting early by showing girls how exciting a career in STEM can be. As a group, we play a part in this. By visiting primary schools to introduce schoolchildren – both male and female – to the world of optics and photonics and sponsoring local university-level events, we help nurture tomorrow’s researchers, engineers and scientists.
Reflecting, Emily and Morgan say they wish they’d known at an earlier age how truly fulfilling a job in STEM – specifically optics – would turn out to be. “A career in optics is one of the most gratifying choices I’ve made,” adds Morgan. “I’d love to go back and tell my younger self how I’d evolve into a confident technical leader, using my physics background to solve real‑life problems and guide like-minded customers through complex challenges. And that I’d prove – again and again – that women have a place in this sector, and open doors for others by simply being present, speaking up, and lifting them up.”
Emily agrees that a role in optics has proven far more rewarding than she’d imagined. She shares: “Working with customers on small R&D projects, helping those businesses grow and bringing their ideas to market is an incredible experience.”
Debunking Misconceptions
A common misconception about the industry – and one Morgan noted earlier – is that STEM is a man’s world. Emily is quick to push back on this: “People often assume technical engineers are mostly men,” she explains. “But there are a lot of brilliant female engineers behind many advanced scientific products on the market. Unfortunately, they don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”
Morgan mirrors this perspective. “Women have stood behind countless breakthroughs in physics, engineering, anatomy, materials science and so much more,” she says. “They’ve always been here; just often uncredited or unseen.”
Looking Ahead
At Knight Optical, we’re proud to have women like Morgan and Emily on our team, and we’re committed to ensuring the current and next generation of women and girls see STEM as a path where they belong. By creating a workplace where female talent thrives, everyone benefits.