Alumnae Profiles

IYM alumnae go on to do amazing things in science and technology! Here are some of their stories.

Chelsea Kah

2018 Alumna

Chelsea completed a Bachelor of Engineering (1st Class Honours) from the University of Auckland in 2022 and is currently working in Melbourne as a digital engineer for Beca, a multi-national engineering consultancy firm.

In 2018, she said "Attending IYM 2018 changed my life. I went into the programme unsure of my future career and came out with confidence and determination to pursue engineering and succeed regardless of the gender imbalance.

I applied to attend the IYM programme becuase I never really knew what I wanted to do after school, apart from the fact that I enjoyed physics and maths.

I had heard about residential programmes similar to IYM, but I was always too intimidated to apply for science camp programmes due to the male dominated field of study - the exact issue that Innovative Young Minds tackles.

On the programme, I found confidence and assurance in the girls around me who all had the same hope for females to be represented equally in the STEMM workforce. I met women who are succeeding in the STEMM sector and heard their motivational stories and advice. Directly from the programme, I gained the courage to aim big in the future and to no longer shy away from careers which are 'meant for men'.

Nicole Singh

2018 Alumna

Nicole has worked in a range of science, health and mental health-related roles and in 2024, graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Sydney, where she is also a science mentor. She continues her passion for inspiring women about the STEMM sector and was the winner of Young Women in Public Affairs 2020 - Creator of Podcast - Life Unscripted Empowering Women in STEM.

In 2018, she said: "Although I thought I knew a fair deal about it, I actually didn't know the true meaning behind the programme. It was easy for me to say it's a science camp, but it's so much more.

Within the first meeting as part of the IYM family, I heard the amazing women say: 'this programme is open to young women because females are under-represented in the STEMM sector and we want to change that. We were all young women who have a huge passion for science and technology.

There were no stereotypes about what someone in the STEMM sector should look like, there was a range from loud to quiet, and from artistic to sporty. Everyone felt accepted. I left the IYM family holding dearly the experience, encouragement, the acceptance and lastly knowing that we are all capable of pursuing our dreams."

Janis Baker

2017 Alumna

A 2017 alumna, Janis comes from Kaponga and attended Opunake High School in Taranaki. She achieved excellent results in Levels 1 and 2 Engineering and was thrilled when she was accepted into the IYM programme in 2017 where she met like-minded girls and broadened her horizons. This included, in 2018, selection for the RNZAF School to Skies programme where 48 young women explore some of the trades the RNZAF has to offer at Base Ohakea.

In 2020 she was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, which she has continued to be involved with as a facilitator.

In 2022, Janis completed an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering at Trustpower (now Manawa Energy). She then worked in the oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation (gas, geothermal) industries as a maintenance fitter. In early 2024 she moved to Excel Refrigeration and is currently working on a second qualification as a Level 4 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician.

Alongside her professional life, Janis has been a volunteer firefighter in Taranaki for the past seven years.

"I'm a qualified firefighter working towards my Pump Operator and Emergency Drivers - which will allow me to drive to emergencies! I am currently the President of the Taranaki Provincial Fire Brigades Association," she says.

Sienna Mitchinson

2021 Alumna

In 2024, Sienna is in her second year of a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Otago. She is excited by up-and-coming research, particularly into immunology, infectious diseases and women's health.

She said: "In 2021 I attended IYM and it was one of the best experiences I have had. It opened my world up and broadened my horizons to a level I never thought possible. I maintain contact with several others from my year to this day. I'm still super involved with IYM as Alumnae Council member - I'm often the one behind the scenes of the social media posts and marketing work, which I love!

If you're considering applying for an IYM programme, you should just give it a go, as it's so worth it in the end. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and take hold of opportunities - that's how you grow and change!"