Forget Barbie: Meet CSIRO’s real-life STEM role models
Meet our inspiring women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) with Barbie’s job titles.
Dr Rozita Spirovska Vaskoska is a Senior Scientist and Team Leader in our Agriculture and Food team. © Mattel, Inc.
Key points:
- The iconic Barbie has an extraordinary career, with more than 150 roles, inspiring children to explore various career paths.
- Many of Barbie’s roles have been in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields.
- We asked some of our STEM experts working in roles once held by Barbie what they love about their jobs.
There’s a powerful woman who’s been inspiring and exciting children for over six decades: the iconic Barbie!
The plastic powerhouse has not just been a much-loved companion for children and grown-ups alike. She’s also had an illustrious career journey, with more 150 jobs under her fashionable belt.
From exploring the cosmos as an astronaut in 1965, to spearheading the sustainability movement as a Chief Sustainability Officer in 2022, Barbie has been breaking stereotypes and paving the way for young minds to dream big. Her recent roles have largely been in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers.
As Australia’s national science agency, we understand the value of STEM career visibility, especially for girls and women, all too well. With more than 5000 scientists, researchers, engineers and experts within Team CSIRO, we’re working to solve the world’s greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. But we can’t do it without recruiting the most imaginative problem solvers, impact-driven minds, and bold change-makers in the business.
So, pop on your hot pink lab coats and meet just a few of our STEM leaders paving the way in roles once held by Barbie.
Microbiologist: Dr Rozita Spirovska Vaskoska
I’m a food scientist who advises industry on food safety and quality issues. For example, if a food company wants to put a new product on the market, I help them make sure the product and their process is safe.
I’m also a team leader and manage six staff, all also food microbiologists. They’re based in Melbourne and Brisbane.
I feel passionate about managing food safety based on science. Ever since university, I’ve loved working with food. The food we eat contributes to our health, and we need to make sure the way food is produced and handled does not cause foodborne illnesses.
My main tip for aspiring microbiologists is that investing time and effort in your learning and education will be very rewarding in the long run. What feels tough and challenging at times during those years at university will make sense when your effort has taken you to your dream job. And your personal development as part of the academic community will be a bonus.
Most of my education from high school to my postgraduate studies has been financially sponsored by merit-based scholarships, meaning that if you are driven, persevere and keep learning, opportunities will emerge and take you places.