Susan Pandya: Women in STEM know the path isn’t always easy

Susan Pandya, Vice President of Clinical Development and Global Head of Cancer Metabolism at Servier, posted on LinkedIn:

“As women in STEM, we have a responsibility to support the next generation. By sharing our experiences and encouraging young girls and women to embrace the challenges ahead, we can help them build the confidence to thrive in STEM. In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, here’s a bit about my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

I am the daughter of two loving and supportive parents who have been the anchors of my life and major inspirations to me. As physicians, their example led me to pursue a career in medicine. Starting in STEM was often overwhelming, and, as an internal medicine resident, I doubted my ability to succeed in hematology/oncology when considering a specialty fellowship. Though fascinated by the science and multidisciplinary nature of the field, I questioned if I could handle the emotional and intellectual demands to provide the best care for patients with life-threatening diagnoses.

Reflecting on my mother’s journey often gave me strength. She left her family in India for a land of greater opportunities, repeating her OBGYN residency before work-hour regulations, while raising two toddler girls, and eventually building a practice that impacted thousands of expectant mothers. My father demonstrated fortitude and vision, guiding our family from India to the UK, and finally to the USA, all while advancing his career in pathology.

Respecting generational differences and the progress seen in society to-date, there still is no shortage of challenges in STEM fields-especially for women.  Navigating traditionally male-dominated careers in academia. Making near-term personal sacrifices for a long-term vision over several years.  Balancing family responsibilities. It’s easy to feel like maybe you’re not cut out for this.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned: If it’s challenging, you’re doing it right. A career in STEM isn’t supposed to be easy – not for me, you, or anyone, and that’s what makes it special.

Learning to Embrace the Challenge

Before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry, I spent years as a practicing hematologist-oncologist. I vividly remember my early days in medicine—caring for patients, making difficult decisions, and coping with the immense emotional weight that comes with confronting the end of life with patients and their loved ones. The work was difficult, and the stakes were high.

But over time, I came to realize I had signed up for these challenges and the immense responsibility when I took the Hippocratic Oath. No one pursues a career in STEM because it’s easy. I had to embrace that reality, trusting that the discomfort I felt at times was all part of the process of my growth and development.

Whether interacting with patients at their most vulnerable or grappling with complex scientific concepts, the challenges I encountered were opportunities to strengthen my resolve. And in overcoming them, I became more capable, resilient, and passionate about my career

Facing Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism

As I advanced in my career, one of the biggest obstacles I faced was imposter syndrome, which is common among women in STEM. I often felt like an outsider – as though I didn’t belong, especially in a field where women did not hold many leadership roles. I felt the pressure to constantly prove myself, even in situations where those I worked with were supportive and collaborative.

Over time, I realized that my tendency toward perfectionism only amplified these feelings of self-doubt. I had to recognize that striving for perfection wasn’t just unrealistic – it was holding me back and I needed to shed this layer of insecurity to realize my full potential. Once I accepted that perfection was an impossible goal, I could reframe my view of success in navigating the complex and dynamic field of oncology drug development with confidence and humility.

I still experience moments of self-doubt – I’m only human. But I’ve learned to push through those moments with conviction in my capabilities to learn, adapt, and ultimately grow from new experiences. Whenever I feel that familiar voice of doubt creeping in, I stop and tell myself, ‘I was made for this.’

The Strength of Women Supporting Women

Creating a supportive environment for women in STEM is essential, and it’s something I actively work to do. Throughout my career, I’ve tried to be intentional about supporting other women, whether on my team or in my wider network, and I continue to look for ways to uplift and advocate for them.

One way I do this is by fostering an environment where women feel comfortable speaking up – especially in moments when they might hesitate to share their ideas. I work to create opportunities for their voices to be heard. Sometimes, a little encouragement is all it takes.

I’ve also seen firsthand how powerful it is when women support one another – whether through formal mentorship, leadership circles, or informal connections. Through this support and solidarity, we become stronger as a collective.

There’s no doubt that having mentors and sponsors (both men and women) have been crucial to my growth. My mentors have helped me see my potential when I couldn’t, and my sponsors carved out paths for my career advancement. I’ve learned that seeking guidance is not a weakness – it’s a strength and ultimately building strong alliances and networks can broaden your career’s horizon. I strive to offer that guidance for other women in my life when the occasion arises so they can step outside of their day-to-day and create a vision for their futures.

I’m proud to work at a company like Servier that takes steps to actively support women and girls in STEM through initiatives like the early innovation awards.

Early Innovation Awards

Servier sponsors multiple early innovation awards that support young researchers with financial grants to support their lab-based research, even when it doesn’t directly impact Servier’s business. While not explicitly aimed at women, the initiative creates an inclusive forum for researchers at all levels, including post-docs, giving them the opportunity to pursue innovative work and gain critical research experience.

Finding Joy and Fulfillment Outside of Work

Women in STEM often face pressure to excel in their careers while managing family responsibilities. I’ve felt this pressure myself, and I know it can lead to burnout.

In my journey, I’ve found that success in STEM doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else. It’s about striking the right balance and sometimes that means making trade-offs. There is a lot of satisfaction that comes from being gritty, tackling a challenging project and seeing its success over time. However, not every project is worth pursuing and I often ask myself, is this the right thing for me now? What would I be trading off to pursue this endeavor? Answering these questions requires honest self-reflection and the ability to understand your drivers for happiness and fulfillment.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to make time for joy that’s just for me—outside of work, outside of family responsibilities, and outside of any professional goals. It may sound very simple but it’s one of the easiest things to deprioritize when sacrificing for your career can sometimes feel like wearing a badge of honor. But in reality, experiencing joy can awaken your senses and sustain your motivation in all facets of life, serving as source of inspiration to others. Lately, that’s meant picking up the electric guitar—a hobby I’d always wanted to try but put aside. Inspired by my 13-year-old son, I started taking guitar lessons, and it was a great reminder that creating space for personal interests, no matter how small, can be incredibly fulfilling and allow for the precious recovery period to occur. Over the years, I’ve found joy in different ways, but the key has always been carving out time for myself so I can show up as the best version of myself.

As women, we often feel guilty for taking that time, but prioritizing fulfillment in all facets of who we are is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance and thriving personally and professionally.

Embrace the Hard Work, Embrace the Growth

STEM is hard – it’s supposed to be.  Advancing pioneering science and bringing new treatments to patients, requires years of scientific discovery efforts, visionary leadership and dedicated teams who can persevere when times are tough with creativity and a problem-solving mindset. At Servier, we’re tackling some of the toughest challenges in drug development, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to improve patients’ lives.

If you’re facing difficulties in your own STEM journey, know that you’re not alone. Don’t shy away from the hard moments—lean into them and be open to discussing them. Realize that they’re part of your growth and will make you stronger in the long run.

Seek mentorship within your immediate space and outside. It is remarkably refreshing to speak to leaders who may not be directly involved in your work and can give you a 360-degree perspective to support your career. Lastly, redefine challenges as opportunities, and always make time for joy. You’re capable of achieving great things in life, and the hard work you put in now will pay off and will set an example for generations to come

Remember: If it’s hard, you’re doing it right. Keep your head up, your heart open, and forge ahead.