Fearlessly applying into courses and universities women ‘don’t belong in’

The Unseen Architect: How Mindset, Not Just Merit, Unlocks Doors in STEM

Imagine stepping into a field where the prevailing narrative whispers that you don't quite fit. For many women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, this is a familiar echo. Yet, one rising star in the world of digital health, Vilashini Saravanan, offers a powerful counter-narrative, one that hinges not on external validation, but on an unshakeable internal conviction. Her journey, illuminated by a prestigious scholarship, reveals that the most significant barriers might not be in the curriculum, but within our own perceptions.

Beyond the Stereotype: A Different Kind of Success Story

When asked about facing obstacles due to her gender, Vilashini Saravanan's response often surprises people. As a woman of color, raised by a single mother in Kuala Lumpur, she is now making significant strides at the intersection of healthcare and engineering, a path paved by a British Council Women in STEM scholarship. Her Master's in Digital Health from the University of Bristol positions her at the forefront of innovation in women's health.

The expectation, naturally, is a litany of challenges overcome. But Saravanan's answer is a firm, "No." This isn't born of naivete, but a deliberate reframing of her experience. She believes that approaching any field with the assumption that you don't belong is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"You can't go in thinking you don't belong," she asserts, her voice resonating with a quiet authority. This foundational belief was instilled early, watching her mother, who divorced when Saravanan was just four, build a home where her daughters were never limited by their gender. This upbringing fostered a sense of boundless possibility.

This early empowerment has had a tangible impact. Saravanan qualified as a pharmacist, her twin sister became a dentist, and now she is immersed in digital health studies, a discipline housed within an engineering department that also encompasses mechatronics and aerospace. She notes with satisfaction that her current cohort includes a significant number of women, a testament to the evolving landscape of STEM.

The Algorithm of Belief: Curating Your Inner World

Saravanan is acutely aware that the environment alone does not dictate success. The internal landscape, she argues, plays an equally, if not more, crucial role. The mindset a woman brings into a STEM field can be the most powerful determinant of her experience and outcomes.

"You as a woman going into the field, you can't go in thinking you don't belong. People will catch that, that lack of confidence," she explains. "You go in there because you know you want to do it, you want to learn it, and you go in there with a confidence that people can't shake."

This isn't about forced optimism; it's a hard-won conviction. Many potential barriers are internal, stemming from the fear of failure, the assumption of a lack of support, or hesitation before even taking the first step. Saravanan acknowledges experiencing these internal struggles herself but emphasizes the abundance of support available once one commits.

While adversity is a universal experience, regardless of gender, the critical question is whether the fear of it paralyzes action. Data indicates a slow but steady increase in women's participation in STEM fields. In the United States, for instance, women now constitute approximately 26% of the STEM workforce, a notable rise from 21% in 2016.

The Power of the Digital Mirror

Saravanan is as deliberate about what she consumes mentally as she is about how she presents herself. In an age where social media can either bolster or erode confidence, her advice is simple yet profound: curate your digital environment.

"I'm not going to pretend and say I haven't seen an Indian girl thrive," she states, referencing her own background. "I've seen multiple Indian girls thrive. I've seen so many women of color of different abilities thrive. We have that. It's our job to focus on that and not on the negatives."

The stories of success and the role models are readily available. However, the digital world often reflects what we actively seek. If your online feed is saturated with narratives of why women like you struggle, you are likely to internalize those limitations. Conversely, a feed filled with women who look like you achieving extraordinary things can cultivate an expectation of your own potential.

Authenticity as a Driving Force: Doing It For Yourself

There's a unique pressure that often accompanies being a woman of color in high-achieving environments. It can feel like your success or failure is a reflection of an entire community, a burden of representation. Saravanan is familiar with this weight but has consciously chosen not to carry it.

Her motivations are not rooted in proving a point because she is a woman of color, or in simply pushing a needle forward as a Women in STEM scholar. "I do it because I want to," she declares. This distinction is subtle but significant.

When your drive comes from an intrinsic desire rather than an external obligation to prove something, it becomes sustainable and deeply personal. This internal ownership is a powerful shield against any external doubts about whether you belong. It is something that cannot be diminished by others.

Saravanan, a Women in STEM scholarship recipient, is pictured here with classmates, embodying this spirit of shared pursuit.

Amplifying Voices: Holding the Door Open for Others

By her own admission, Saravanan is outspoken and confident, someone who readily contributes to discussions. She recognizes that not everyone possesses this innate assertiveness, but she believes those who do have a responsibility to create space for others.

"A lot of times, more often than not, men speak up first and talk over. I'm happy to speak up — and then open the space up." She actively does this by turning to quieter women in the room and prompting them, "by the way, didn't you have something to say?"

This inclusive approach extends to conversations with men. It's easy for men to view discussions about women's empowerment as separate from their own involvement. Saravanan ensures the men in her life understand their integral role.

"Don't be shy to speak to your partner, your dad, your male friends. Because the more you do it, the more you chip away at that uncomfortable feeling." These conversations, she emphasizes, are the crucial first step. If someone doesn't respond positively, "Then you have data about them."

Embrace the Imperfect Start: The Antidote to Procrastination

Saravanan's final piece of advice is a powerful call to action: stop waiting until you feel perfectly ready. This feeling of unpreparedness, she contends, is often an illusion and a form of procrastination disguised as caution.

"A lot of people message me about the scholarship saying they're not ready. That's an illusion. We're never going to be 100% ready before we do something," she states. The antidote, she believes, is simply to act.

Apply for that Women in STEM scholarship, or any other opportunity that sparks your interest. If you don't succeed on the first attempt, reach out for feedback. The act of doing, followed by learning, is the path forward. Something she absorbed during her time in the UK fundamentally reshaped her perspective on failure: "So what?"

"So what if you reinvent yourself every five years? It's one life. You did a degree, you don't like it? Go into something else." This adaptable mindset extends to job applications as well. While many women might disqualify themselves by meticulously scrutinizing a list of requirements, Saravanan often bypasses them, focusing instead on the role itself and applying.

Even if an application doesn't lead to an immediate offer, the act of applying can keep you on recruiters' radar for future opportunities. The founder of Menopause Asia, for example, once reached out to her simply because she had shared her work on a professional networking platform. The key takeaway is that you cannot predict which door will open; you simply have to show up at them.

"No one is going to give you the key," the Women in STEM scholar concludes. "You just have to enter." This sentiment encapsulates the proactive, self-driven approach that empowers individuals to forge their own paths, regardless of perceived limitations.