High-Flyers in STEM

With the STEM industry experiencing rapid innovation during the global pandemic, and with an historic skills shortage to contend with, the team at HERO Recruitment believes there's no better time to tap into the knowledge and expertise of our industry leaders to discover why a career in STEM is a rewarding experience. In this podcast, we speak to leaders in STEM about their own career journeys in this unique sector, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and their forecasts for the future. We’ll discover what it takes to manage cutting-edge projects and the teams that help to deliver them in an ever-evolving landscape. Through a series of open exchanges, our guests will share personal anecdotes, market insights and industry predictions. We want to inspire the next generation of STEMtalent by showcasing the success of real people who are already excelling on their leadership journeys.

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High-Flyers in STEM

High-Flyers in STEM S2E6: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Samantha Murphy, Business Unit Manager, and Aine Brennan, Value Stream Lead - West

January 21, 2025 • Deirdre Finnerty • Season 2 • Episode 6

Join us for the final episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender, hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, as we welcome Samantha Murphy, Business Unit Manager, and Aine Brennan, Value Stream Lead at West. Together, they share their phenomenal journeys, offering insight into what it takes to lead and inspire in STEM.

Samantha’s transition from a Bachelor of Arts to engineering wasn’t just a career shift—it was a bold leap into a world where her passion for problem-solving could save lives. Aine’s journey began with a teacher who transformed her view of maths, igniting a love for engineering that propelled her into leadership at West.

Samantha and Aine reflect on the defining experiences that have shaped their careers—from tackling challenges head-on to seizing opportunities that reshaped their perspectives. They discuss how the mentorship and inclusive culture at West champions female leaders, enabling them to grow and empower their teams. Their stories demonstrate the real impact of equity, diversity, and inclusion in creating meaningful change within workplaces and beyond.

At West, upholding an inclusive workplace isn’t just an initiative—it’s a movement. Their career path programme for technicians has driven a significant increase in female representation on the moulding team in just two years. West mentorship programmes have played a pivotal role in creating a “see it, be it” culture, helping women gain the confidence to build fulfilling careers in STEM.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode, where Samantha and Aine showcase how West is shaping a future of opportunity and inclusion, one story at a time.

A special thanks to our sponsor Fenero, a multi-award-winning company that specialises in financial success for contractors, freelancers, and solopreneurs.

For more updates on #GreatnessHasNoGender, follow HERO on LinkedIn [LinkedIn URL], reach out to hello@hero.ie, or explore exciting job opportunities in STEM Permanent STEM jobs, Contracting STEM jobs.

Available now on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify.
Let’s celebrate the voices shaping STEM’s future. #GreatnessHasNoGender