STEM Mentoring for Women in Vancouver

Vancouver has one of the fastest growing tech and STEM scenes in Canada. You have big companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and SAP setting up major offices here. You have a strong biotech and life sciences sector. You have engineering firms working on everything from green buildings to clean energy. So there is no shortage of opportunities for women in STEM in this city.

But here is what we hear from women all the time. It is not just about finding a job. It is about finding the right guidance to grow once you are in. Who do you ask when you want to move from a junior role to a senior one? Who do you talk to about navigating office politics or asking for a raise? Who helps you figure out if you should stay in your current field or try something completely different?

That is where MakePossible comes in. We are a mentoring network built for women in STEM, by women in STEM. And we have a growing community right here in Vancouver. Our members work at local companies, teach at UBC and SFU, run their own startups, and do research at places like the BC Cancer Research Centre. They are ready to help you figure out your next move.

Maybe you just graduated from BCIT or UBC with an engineering degree. You have the technical skills but you are not sure how to stand out in a crowded job market. A mentor can look at your resume, introduce you to people in their network, and tell you what hiring managers actually care about. That kind of support is gold.

Or maybe you have been working in data science for a few years. You enjoy the work but you feel like you have hit a ceiling. You are not sure whether to stay technical or move into management. A mentor who has made that transition can walk you through their own experience. The good parts and the hard parts. That helps you make a better decision for yourself.

We also know that mentoring is not just about your job. Sometimes you need someone to talk to about imposter syndrome. About speaking up in meetings when you are the only woman in the room. About balancing a demanding career with everything else life throws at you. These are real challenges. And talking to someone who has been there makes a real difference.

Vancouver is also a city where people come from all over the world. Many women in our community moved here from other countries. They had to figure out how to get their credentials recognized, how to build a new network from scratch, and how to find work in a completely new environment. If that is your story, there are mentors here who understand exactly what you are going through.

The best part about MakePossible is how easy it is to start. You join the community. You fill out your profile. You tell us what kind of help you are looking for. Then we help connect you with a mentor who fits. You can meet for coffee in Gastown, grab a virtual coffee over Zoom, or just message back and forth. Whatever works for you.

Not ready to ask for a mentor yet? No problem. Come to our events. Join a mentoring circle. Listen to other women share their stories. You will learn a ton just by showing up. And when you are ready, the mentors will be there.

Here is the thing. You do not have to figure this out alone. There are women in Vancouver right now who want to help you succeed. They have been where you are. They know the local job market. They have connections. And they are waiting to meet you.

Join MakePossible today. Find a mentor who gets it. Grow your career. And one day, when you are further along, become a mentor for someone else. That is how we build a stronger STEM community in Vancouver. One conversation at a time.

© Copyright SCWIST 2026
MakePossible was created by SCWIST
(Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology)
With project funding support from Women and Gender Equality Canada

The MakePossible community provides a great opportunity to learn and gain insight from our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and further support from other community members and mentors. Although some resources may be shared on our behalf, MakePossible is in no way providing formal advice for your professional or personal matters. Please use your own discretion when consulting any of the materials shared here.