---
title: 10 Words of Wisdom from Inspiring Female STEM Research Leaders
description: Female STEM Research Leaders from TERC share advice for the work environment based on their education, career paths, and challenges they've overcome.
image: https://blog.terc.edu/hubfs/10%20Words%20of%20Wisdom.png
---
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# TERC Blog
## 10 Words of Wisdom from Inspiring Female STEM Research Leaders
## *Part 1: The Work Environment*
At a panel discussion for emerging TERC leaders, [Maria Blanton, Senior Scientist; ](https://www.terc.edu/profiles/maria-blanton/)[Teon Edwards, STEM Education Senior Leader;](https://www.terc.edu/profiles/teon-edwards/)[Joni Falk, Center Director;](https://www.terc.edu/profiles/joni-falk/) [Martha Merson, Principal Investigator;](https://www.terc.edu/profiles/martha-merson/) and [Andee Rubin, Principal Scientist](https://www.terc.edu/profiles/andee-rubin/) shared their education and career paths, challenges they've encountered, and ways they've advanced their work.
Below are some words of advice these extraordinary women shared when answering the following questions:
- How did you establish and develop your body of work?
- What were the low points in your research/career and how did you get past them?
- What shaped your career trajectory?
We hope these insights provide mentorship and aide others in developing successful careers in STEM research and education.
### Seize opportunities to learn
> Say yes to opportunities. I'm not always an expert in what I'm doing, but I know enough to get started. I've learned so much by taking on projects I knew a little bit about.
>
> —Andee Rubin
### Understand challenges are inevitable
> I wrote many grants that didn't get funded. Don't get discouraged and don't take it personally. Not getting funded is part of becoming a successful proposal writer.
>
> —Joni Falk
### .jpeg?width=350&name=Jonis%20Quote%20(1).jpeg)
### Know your audience
> Get to know the funder's point of view and use a matching "voice" in your grant.
>
> —Joni Falk
### Notice where your skillsets are needed
> Where do the skillsets and interests you have align with those around you? Find the people who need the skillsets you have. It's been a successful way for me to do work that I enjoy.
>
> —Teon Edwards
### Bigger isn't always better
> Don't be afraid of a small grant. They can be an important way for you to break into an idea and get to know it.
>
> —Maria Blanton
### Ask 'who, what, why'
> Think about who needs what and why they will benefit from you studying it. If you can answer these questions, write that up in your proposals.
>
> —Martha Merson
### 
### Sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes
> Don't expect the reader has all the prior knowledge that you do. Unless you show your proposal to someone outside your team, you don't know how much you're assuming. Write a proposal in a way your mother would understand what you're saying.
>
> —Joni Falk
### Invest in relationships
> Join committees and task forces. Think about how you can be a contributing part of your work community. It's a great way to get to know people and their work, and in turn have people learn about you and your skills.
>
> —Teon Edwards
### 
### Not everyone needs a 10-year plan
> It's ok if you don't have a 10-year vision. For my team, we start clearly seeing and understanding what our next steps should be while we're working in our current grant.
>
> —Maria Blanton
### Be transparent
> Be honest about your current and projected workload, especially when you may be overbooked if a number of outstanding proposals are funded. This gives Principal Investigators the ability to adjust if you can't support a grant that comes in.
>
> —Teon Edwards
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