In pursuit of STEM career: Alumna finds support for women in Sheridan’s cyber security program

Steffi Marcos’ career trajectory as a cyber security expert is almost textbook perfect. Soon after graduating from Sheridan’s Information Systems Security program in 2022, she got permanent employment at PwC Canada, a leading consultancy firm. As Senior Associate, Cyber Forensic Investigations, Marcos is currently a member of a dynamic team that ensures cyber safety for the firm’s clients and helps them to stave off potential cyber threats through proactive measures.

Not only does Marcos’ instant success upon graduation speak to her merit and hard work, but it also underlines the immense job opportunities available in the field of cyber security. According to a World Economic Forum report, the global cyber security workforce was short some 3.5 million workers in 2021, with organizations around the world scrambling to find trained experts to protect their businesses against cyber threats.

Marcos’ personal experiences have put to proof another finding of the report: the obstacles faced by women as they seek education and careers in science and technology. The report says that lack of encouragement for women in STEM disciplines is one of the factors that has caused an extreme gender gap in the field of cybersecurity, with women accounting for only 25 per cent of the workforce.

Before joining Sheridan, Marcos was studying data science at a university, and she says she dropped out of the program due to her mental health.

“I want to encourage more women to consider pursuing cyber or any STEM discipline if that’s what their heart desires, as I think representation and diversity are very important.”

“There weren’t a lot of women in the class, and there were times when some of my male peers made me feel uncomfortable … like I needed to prove something to them. It made me afraid to ask for help, as I knew I would be perceived as incompetent. I struggled a lot with my mental health by not having a support group during my time at the university, and for internalizing the bad interactions I had with some of my male peers. I was a lot younger, and I did not have the tools or resiliency back then to confidently complete the program,” she recalls.

“I think the key to overcoming these negative experiences is by having encouraging and supportive people around you – whether that’s within the program, at the school, or from a mentor that can provide guidance to you during these situations. Otherwise, it can be difficult to overcome alone.”

The current gender imbalance in STEM classrooms carries through to the workforce where women are not equitably represented in careers such as cyber security, fuelling perceptions that they are not suited for certain professions.

“My experience at Sheridan was incredible. I met a lot of amazing people as well as teachers at Sheridan who really cared about my well-being and success at school. Having that support system helped me build confidence.”

“Things are progressing, but it is unfortunate that some women continue to be subjected to gender stereotypes and gender roles. I still find there are women who struggle because they are not supported when they demonstrate an interest in STEM disciplines,” Marcos says. It is often assumed that women would not thrive in this space, that they don't have the same skill sets as men, and the lack of encouragement may cause women to not even consider STEM disciplines, she says.

“I see this bias coming from both men and women. In addition, entering a workplace that is more male-centric can feel very isolating. I want to encourage more women to consider pursuing cyber or any STEM discipline if that’s what their heart desires, as I think representation and diversity are very important. The more people we have in this area from diverse backgrounds, the better it is for collaborative purposes,” she says.