Evan Lysandra, ST., MSc.

• When did you first decide to study and pursue a career in STEM?

I was born into a family with an engineering background. I first decided to study and pursue a career in STEM as a teenager, around junior high school. At that time, I became interested in helicopters and how they could fly even though they were shaped differently from airplanes. That curiosity drove me to delve deeper into the world of aviation and the technology behind it. From then on, I was convinced that I wanted to pursue engineering. I was also interested in pursuing studies in the field of aviation, and I continued my studies in Aeronautical Engineering at ITB, then went on to graduate school in the same field. However, when I started exploring opportunities, I met people who were experts in AR, VR, and IoT. We started working on programming software for industrial solutions. At that time I was faced with a choice, whether I wanted to work in the aviation industry or try entrepreneurship in the IT field. In the end, I chose to create a business in AR and VR, especially for industrial use, because I felt I understood engineering better.

• What drives you to study and pursue a career in STEM?

Since childhood, I have been familiar with the world of engineering because of my family, especially Papa because he works in the spare part manufacturing industry. I was often invited to understand how an engineer works and the process of problem solving in the engineering world. This made me interested in engineering and technology. This interest encouraged me to learn more about aviation, which eventually led me to major in Aeronautical Engineering. During my studies, I realized that in the world of aviation, all technical calculations and computations require programming, nothing can be done manually. This broadened my horizons about the importance of STEM, especially in technology and programming. When I graduated, I saw opportunities in software development, especially in AR and VR that could be applied in the industry.

• What is the support system for women in pursuing and working in STEM fields in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, support for women in STEM fields is uneven. I feel lucky in my college environment, where women are not marginalized in this field. However, in some areas, especially outside big cities, there is still a gap and stigma that STEM is more suitable for men. In fact, this difference is only based on stereotypes, as the challenges in STEM fields can be faced by both men and women. Further education is needed to overcome this stigma. In entrepreneurship, I also see that although there are challenges in the beginning, especially in coding and implementation, things will get easier with experience and consistency.

• What are your key success factors in your career in STEM?

My success factors are actually inseparable from facing problems. I also experienced many challenges, especially when starting a business. In the beginning, I didn’t know what product to develop, and the journey was not easy. However, over time, every problem that arises must always have a way out. Not necessarily when there are difficulties, everything becomes impossible. With determination and patience, the path gradually becomes clearer. If we stop in the middle of difficulties, we will not achieve anything. So it’s important to keep going, even when facing challenges.

• What tips can you give to women pursuing and working in STEM fields?

A career in STEM for women may face some challenges, including stigma. However, if you are interested in this field, don’t hesitate to continue. don’t worry if you are happy in the STEM field, just do it, don’t worry if you experience obstacles, all obstacles have time to be overcome, just don’t know when, but slowly, you will definitely have time to overcome the obstacles. Obstacles definitely exist, but all can be resolved over time. If jobs are limited or unsuitable, there is always the option to create your own business, especially since opportunities in STEM fields are still vast. It’s not easy, but with determination and consistency, it can be achieved.