A life of ESTEAM

Living life with ESTEAM

Dr Sue Pillans_Visual artist_2023

After a diverse career in marine research, Government and University I am now living my life with ESTEAM, literally through: Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (ESTEAM). I am passionate about creative education, sharing my professional experiences and helping others to turn something they love into something they live.

I wasn’t an A-grade student at school but I always tried my best and because I didn’t follow my heART I failed at a number of subjects. I was told that I was not smart enough to get into University and would probably need to repeat Grade 12, which didn’t help my self-ESTEAM. But I DID end up getting into University and I DID receive my PhD and I DID then have a diverse and interesting professional career! You can ‘sea’ more of my educational journey via my interview with The University of Queensland Alumni team at https://alumni.uq.edu.au/article/2019/08/picture-took-me-43-years-draw

I believe that the connections we make with people can be life changing and sometimes it only takes that one conversation to spark your imagination so you take that brave step towards your dream! My dream was ignited by my younger sister, who we tragically lost to cancer when she was in her 30’s. She showed me what a true hero is, someone who gets up when they can’t, and she encouraged me to follow my heART. So I did! And you can see how I went from frogs and failures to front page news via https://drsuepillans.com/2018/11/28/drawing-attention-to-climate-change/

Every time I visit a school or hold a youth workshop I get asked the same question, “How did you get your dream job!” and “How do you use art AND science in what you do?”. I think it is important to share our journey’s and experiences (both the good and the bad) with our youth to show them that they can also lead a life of ESTEAM! I don’t believe in this age of opportunity and technology that our kids have to wait until they are 40 to be living and loving their dream job.

Sharing my journey

I love sharing my creative journey and how I now live my life with ESTEAM with all students, parents and teachers. As a women-entrepreneur I truly believe that girls with dreams become women with vision so I’m passionate about encouraging our young girls to follow their dreams. I didn’t even know my job of graphic recording even existed 10 years ago and never thought owning my own small communications business was something I could do, and be successful at! Or become Dr Suzie Starfish!

Over the past 10 years I have had the privilege of mentoring a number of High School and University students and engaged with school groups across Australia and overseas to provide career advice (and my life of ESTEAM) as a marine scientist/artist/author/illustrator/business women. To help young people engage with a professional creative communicator and scientist I have provided hands on-experiences, one-one-one advice and participated in students’ project work and interviews/podcasts with great joy and enthusiasm. I believe you can’t be what you can’t see, so providing my life experiences and career pathway may help our youth to follow their heARTs.

‘m part of the below STEM/STEAM programs so please Contact me if you would like to discuss me visiting your school or youth group to discuss my journey and life of ESTEAM. There are many ways to communicate these days so no matter where you live in the world we can make a connection, whether that be via email, online chat platforms or via social media etc.

Careers with STEM

I was thrilled to be profiled by Careers with STEM as a marine scientist, artist and visual storyteller. You can read more about my life of ESTEAM and my journey as a science illustrator.

FabFems

I am a FabFem! FabFems are women from a broad range of professions in STEM. They are passionate, collaborative, and work to make the world a better place. Many girls have similar interests but aren’t connected to adults who exemplify the STEM career pathway. FabFems can expand girls’ career options, dispel stereotypes and spark their interests – just by being yourself! You can ‘sea’ my FabFems Marine Science profile and find out how to turn something you love into something you live!

Queensland STEM in action!

I am also part of the Queensland STEM Education Network (QSEN) and you can view my profile as a Marine Ecologist & Artist and ‘sea’ what my career experiences have been and the advice I have for any budding marine scientist/artists!

if you would like to make a connection or chat about a life of ESTEAM.