I Swapped Banking For STEM Education To Build A Career That Matters

The development of a strong scientific temperament is not just an academic goal; it is the bedrock of a curious, rational, and innovative society. In this pursuit, schools and educators play a vital role. They nurture curiosity, spark inquiry, and shape young minds to engage with the world through logic and reason. It is within these spaces of intellectual exploration that the seeds of STEM are sown, and in my case, where a lifelong journey was set into motion.

STEM gave me fulfilment

Like many others, I didn’t begin with a clear idea of where my academic passions lay. I appreciated the logical thinking STEM demanded, but I hadn’t yet connected with it on a personal level. That changed in the 11th and 12th grades when I encountered a physics teacher who fundamentally altered how I saw the subject. He had an extraordinary ability to link abstract concepts to everyday experiences, making physics both tangible and thrilling. His classes trained us in problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that would shape not only my academic direction but also my mindset.

Inspired, I pursued engineering. Yet, my early college years were marked by a sense of disconnect. The curriculum leaned heavily on theory, with little scope for hands-on, experiential learning. It wasn't until I took a programming class, where I wrote my first program in Fortran, that I had my first true “I can do this” moment. It was exhilarating. Programming revealed to me that STEM is not about rote memorisation or abstract equations; it is about solving real problems using logic. That moment rekindled my enthusiasm and grounded my belief in the power of applied knowledge.

After completing my engineering degree, I transitioned into finance, eventually earning an MBA from IIM Calcutta. Finance offered its own intellectual challenges, rich with data, logic, and structure. Over time, I built a successful career, culminating in a leadership role at a reputed banking firm. Problem-solving was constant, but the nature of the challenges differed from those I would later face as an entrepreneur.

Banker to entrepreneur

The shift to entrepreneurship introduced a whole new level of uncertainty, ambiguity, and emotional resilience. Founding and leading a startup, especially one in the STEM education space, demanded not just logic, but vision and purpose. It is here that my journey came full circle: back to education, back to the classroom, and back to the question of how we empower the next generation, particularly girls, to believe in their potential.

One of the most fulfilling parts of my work has been mentoring students from underserved communities through STEM education. I have seen firsthand how exposure to STEM can transform lives.

One young girl, who began with little to no digital literacy, went on to study computer science at a prestigious college and earned a scholarship from an MNC. Her story is just one among many that highlight what is possible when opportunity meets potential.

Gender dynamics in STEM

Despite being a woman in male-dominated spaces such as engineering college, the corporate world, and now tech entrepreneurship, I have rarely encountered overt gender bias. But I am acutely aware that this is not the norm. Systemic and cultural barriers persist. That is why we must reframe how we talk about women in STEM. Instead of positioning “diversity” as a special initiative, we need to establish equality as the default.

The language of “diversity” often implies that women are an exception in STEM. They are not. Women are natural problem-solvers, creators, and leaders, and they deserve to be seen as such.

If there is one change I could advocate for in the way we teach STEM, it would be to centre experiential learning. Theory is important, but real-world application is what cements understanding and sparks inspiration. Tinkering, building, coding, experimenting — this is where confidence is born.

My advice to young women considering a career in STEM is simple: Believe in your abilities.

The barriers you perceive are often internal, not external. Your path may not be linear, but every detour and challenge will teach you something vital. Dream boldly, act with intent, and know that you belong.

STEM holds limitless potential, not just for technological innovation, but for social transformation. As educators, parents, mentors, and leaders, we share the responsibility of cultivating the next generation of problem-solvers. When we empower girls through STEM, we do not just change their lives — we unlock new possibilities for us all.

Personal story by Meenal Majumder, founder of The Innovation Story. She is working to bridge the digital divide for students from underserved backgrounds.