After graduating in 2023, like many ambitious young people, Nurgul faced the challenge of finding a job in her chosen field. Ultimately, she settled on a job at a car dealership because the tech industry, while promising, was too competitive and difficult to break into. Amidst those difficulties, a new opportunity opened up for Nurgul.
While adjusting to her new job, Nurgul learned about the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Camp in Almaty, an initiative aimed at equipping young people with the skills they need to enter the job market, including entrepreneurship, digital skills, communication and public speaking.
Through workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Nurgul not only learned a lot but was also inspired, rekindling his passion for technology.
She shared: "When I joined the camp, I realized that the difficulties I had experienced were not barriers, but stepping stones to many new opportunities. The camp helped me significantly improve my leadership skills, teamwork and confidence."
Another milestone in Nurgul’s journey was when she joined the Leadership Program for Women in Science , Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Astana. The program aimed to close the gender gap in STEM, while also connecting her with inspirational role models.
“In Kazakhstan, gender equality in STEM still has a long way to go. The number of women in the industry is low. Social prejudice, lack of role models and limited support make it difficult for young women to pursue a career in technology.”
Nurgul Piltan
In 2024, the UNDP- OECD inter-regional dialogue recognized Kazakhstan’s efforts to invest in STEM education for women and girls.
However, a survey from the same year found that barriers remain: 54% of Kazakhs believe that STEM careers are not suitable for women, a view that is reflected in the fact that only about 8% to 15% of Kazakh women study engineering programs.
However, through participating in the program, Nurgul met women who overcame stereotypes, proving that success in STEM is not limited by gender but is built on passion, perseverance and skills.
Armed with confidence and a bold vision, Nurgul is taking technology one step at a time. She aims to become a leading expert in the fields of user interface/experience design, web development, and front-end programming.
Her dream is to work at a large tech company or a dynamic startup. And one day, she will set up her own design studio or tech company, creating innovative solutions that combine function and aesthetics.
Nurgul believes that learning is a never-ending journey. She constantly improves her knowledge of programming and user interface/experience design, actively participates in professional communities and technology conferences.
For her, excellence in technology is not a destination, but a continuous process of discovery , experimentation and development.
Initiatives like the Youth Camp and the Women in STEM Leadership Program have given Nurgul and hundreds of young Kazakh women the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in technology.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/tu-co-gai-dam-uoc-mo-den-nguoi-tien-phong-trong-stem-20250815194824857.htm
Comment (0)