How I Started in STEM with Skillsoft CIO Orla Daly

Orla Daly is the Chief Information Officer at Skillsoft, a global leader in corporate digital learning, focused on transforming today's workforce for tomorrow's economy.

How I Started In STEM with Orla Daly

I did a degree in international marketing with French and German, so not your typical start in a career in STEM, but I did then spend a year doing a master's in technology and that's where I got my first experience and really, you know, opened my eyes to what impact technology could have as part of my masters. I had the opportunity to work on a project on how to visualize cancer in the body and this was quite a few years ago, so some of these technologies were still relatively new, but it gave me a taste of seeing how technology could impact real lives. Which really got me I guess more curious in terms of learning more and seeing, you know, what sort of other opportunities were out there in terms of what technology could do.

What passion still drives you in STEM?

A passion that drives me in my STEM field, it's really about problem solving. I would say as well as teamwork. There is nothing I find more enjoying than tackling a new problem and finding maybe even a new way to solve an existing problem. And then being able to do that with a fun group of people who each bring often a different perspective in terms of how we can solve the problem. And I think that's something new that I see a lot in my field that I really enjoy in terms of that daily interaction that I guess keeps me coming back for.

What inspired you to pursue STEM?

Part of it is that there isn't a lot of women in STEM unfortunately and in technology and therefore part of me felt responsible while I really do enjoy what I'm doing, you know, to continue to force that path and to be an example. I have two daughters who I certainly want to look at all careers and feel like they can make an impact and have a career in any field. So there was a sense of responsibility I think that just kept me going. In addition to just really enjoying it.

Best advice you received for your career in STEM

So the best advice I would say that I've received in my career has really been to recognize your achievements. I think sometimes, especially in technology, we tend to be very focused on the problem at hand. And once we solve that, we're onto the next problem. But someone once reminded me to just take a pause and think about what we've accomplished and not to be shy in also advocating for yourself and showing what you contributed in terms of getting to that solution. So I guess that's a little bit of advice that I would also pass on to all of you listening here is to just not be shy in thinking about what your contribution has been, and you know, making that known in terms of the impact that you're having.

Importance of representation and diversity in STEM

Representation in STEM fields is hugely important and unfortunately is an area of challenge. As we think about STEM and the impact that it ultimately has in terms of changing lives and changing how we live, you know, everybody that consumes it ultimately is diverse. And I think it's therefore hugely important that those of us that are working in STEM have a perspective that represents the audience that we're ultimately trying to serve. And therefore continuing to increase the diversity in STEM and just having folks that attack a problem from a different angle is just hugely important because ultimately that will bring better results and just a different level of creativity, which I think is really needed, and just ultimately delivers a better product. So we unfortunately have quite a ways to go. In a recent study that Skillsoft did, we saw that 70% of women say that they are outnumbered 2-1 or more in the technology field. And that's obviously a statistic that's quite sobering. It's something unfortunately I see in my day-to-day and I think, you know, it will just be a richer environment the more that we can add diversity into the STEM field.

More to check out:

How I Started in STEM with Wicked Saints Studios CEO Jess Murrey

Female Gamers Push the Video Game Industry to Unprecedented Levels