Inspiring the next generation of women and girls in science: Chloe Fitzgerald, Syngenta

By Chloe Fitzgerald, Syngenta Apprentice

​In celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Syngenta’s Apprentice Experimentalist, Chloe Fitzgerald, shares her story on what drew her to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), a sector traditionally dominated by men.

A scientist from the hit TV programme Brainiac Science Abuse came to my school to perform a ‘walking on custard experiment’ during assembly…
I was seven years old and I remember it as clear as day – it was epic!

Since that first encounter with science…
I’m now an Apprentice Experimentalist at Syngenta and one of the three apprentices taken in for their 2019 cohort. Currently sitting in the Analytical Chemistry department, I’ve been working at Syngenta for four months now.

In a couple of months, I will move to the Formulation Technology team and then the Formulation Development team, so that I get a full understanding of Product, Technology and Engineering (or PT&E as we like to call it). Alongside this, I am also studying a distance-learning Chemistry degree to obtain a full BSc (Hons) at the end of my 5-year apprenticeship.

Science was always my favourite subject.
I completed my A-levels in Chemistry, Biology and French before I applied to Syngenta’s Apprenticeship programme. The sciences were always my favourite subjects at school; the charm being that the simple logic of fundamental principles govern everything around us.

Chemistry was my favourite science discipline, mainly because I enjoyed the practical element the most: mixing chemicals in a lab to create something completely different!

Studying at an all-girls school meant no male biases.
Perhaps a reason that fuelled my interest in science was partly due to the school I went to. Having attended an all-girl school with all-female science teachers meant that I was never exposed to any male biases that could have put me off from pursuing my studies in science.

Instead, I felt compelled to represent my school in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) competitions. I even went on to mentor younger students in physics, too.

My favourite female scientist hands down is…
Dame Jane Morris Goodall. I am completely astounded by her dedication and hard work, having spent her life to give us five decades worth of research on chimpanzees. Her long periods of in-depth scientific research would not have been possible without her passion and love for the subject.

How inspiring to put such effort and determination into understanding more about our earth!

And my own aspiration for the future is…
Staying at Syngenta after my apprenticeship! My Supervisor works in Analytical Chemistry and I’m really enjoying learning from her and other experienced Chemists. I’d love to really throw myself into a project that requires innovation and research to help the company solve a certain problem. Patience and optimism are two of the main qualities that make a great scientist.

Encouraging females to enter science
Encouraging more girls to enter science is about introducing them to it from an early age, and nurturing that instinctive curiosity all children have, so that they can question and answer those ‘why stuff happens’ questions.

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