Meet Sophiyat, Our Youth STEM Summit Programme Officer!
Hello! My name is Sophiyat, and I have just joined the Youth STEM 2030 Core Team as the Youth STEM Summit Programme Officer! Looking to work in a smaller more tight knit team after working in large organisations for so long, I initially applied to join the the Youth STEM 2030 team as a Youth STEM Matters Programme Officer. My interview process really reflected how Mhairi and the rest of the Core Team & volunteers understood the skills and interests of people who applied because they ended up offering me a different role that really fits perfectly with my background and interests!
The three things that really guide my life’s work are; digital inclusion, girls and women empowerment and meaningful youth participation. In the past, I worked at Girl Hub Africa as its programs director before joining Global Citizen as its Policy and Partnerships fellow for a year then promoted to Campaigns Associate. I also served with the United Nations agency for tech - International Telecommunications Union - for 6 months as a Youth Strategy and Summit Intern.
With a strong belief in the power of inclusion, across the roles I’ve had past and present, I work to ensure that underrepresented groups, particularly girls and marginalised communities, can have equal access to STEM opportunities. My hope is to not only break down barriers but also to foster a sense of belonging, where every young person feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. I firmly believe that young people possess invaluable insights, creativity, and innovative ideas that can reshape our world. With Youth STEM 2030, I want to amplify youth voices and provide opportunities for active involvement and encourage a generation of changemakers to step forward and make a difference.
In my new role as the Youth STEM Summit Programme Officer at Youth STEM 2030, I will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing the Youth STEM Summit to inspire, educate, and engage young minds and bridge the gap between inspiration and action. My vision encompasses fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where young people from all backgrounds can explore their passions, develop their skills, and contribute to solving real-world challenges through STEM.
