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The career day was organised by NTC on 18 September and was attended by 28 female high school students. The first part of the day was devoted to a discussion on "Women in Science and Technology". The discussion was opened by Dita Sládková, Deputy Director for External Relations, who shared her previous experience in marketing in a corporate environment and her subsequent transition to promoting the research centre.

Lucie Nedvedova from the NTC, who was also one of the presenters, said, "I work as a technologist in the Advanced and Quantum Materials Department. My job is to prepare experimental material, order equipment and take care of the deposition equipment. My work also includes publishing papers or presenting at conferences." Participants at the event learned not only about professional challenges, but also about different experiences of supporting women on their way to a career in science.

"The goal of the Girls' Labs project is to show that talent and passion for science are not dependent on gender, and that science is open to everyone," adds Alice Nováková, the project coordinator.

The first part of the day was dedicated to a discussion on the topic of "Women in Science and Technology." The session was opened by Dita Sládková, NTC Deputy Director for External Relations, who shared her previous experiences in marketing in the corporate world and her transition to promoting the research center.

Lucie Nedvědová openly described her path to studying materials science. "At the beginning, I was torn between the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, but thanks to friends, I realized that I enjoy systematic work, even when the goal is distant. At the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, I started focusing on material composition, and that has stayed with me to this day. During my studies, I got to know the NTC laboratories, where I’ve now been working for over 20 years. I still enjoy the work, especially the freedom of decision-making, managing experiments, new topics, and working with diverse teams. What we do is fulfilling because I see how theoretical calculations connect with experiments," says Nedvědová, who is also a big fan of gliding.

Šárka Houdková, Scientific Director of the Research and Testing Institute Plzeň, shared her experiences researching thermal spray technologies. She emphasized the importance of courage and persistence in science, where results are often distant. "In commercial companies, speed and flexibility are key, but in science, patience is crucial," she said. Houdková, who has found her niche in project management, coordinates international projects and has the opportunity to influence the science and research ecosystem, for example, as a member of the Research Council of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Association of Research Organizations.

The morning session concluded with Hana Čechová from the Biomechanical Models of the Human Body department, who focuses on preventing pelvic floor disorders. Her goal is to create a model that can predict gynecological and obstetric problems and simulate muscle contraction. Čechová shared her positive experiences in research and emphasized that she has always felt like an equal member of the team. "Maybe it's because biomechanics attracts more women," she mused. "When choosing a field of study, always consider future career opportunities," she advised.

The presenters agreed on several key pieces of advice: A certain degree of freedom contributes to happiness at work. Travel, as experiences gained abroad, are invaluable. If you're unsure of what you want, don't be afraid to try something new—you can always return. You never know what experience might lead you to something that truly fulfills you. And above all, don't fear mistakes—they can be corrected and may push you further ahead.

After a lively discussion, a fact-finding mission followed, during which participants visited NTC laboratories. At four stations—covering quantum technologies, 3D printing, laser technologies, and thermal cameras—students saw science in action. "Our goal was to show them that science has a real impact on our everyday lives, whether it's quantum technologies found in mobile phones or biomechanics, which plays a crucial role in diagnosing health problems," added Nováková.

Girls' Labs is a project aimed at supporting young women in science and technology. The first career day of the project took place at Bosch, where students got a behind-the-scenes look at engineering work, and now they had the chance to see what research is like.

Photo: @Luboš Limberg