STEM Career expansion: Stop Waiting Until You Feel Ready -Firechat with Lauren Barber, nurse and medtech founder, Needle Calm
MULTIPLE HATS: STEM Careers | Reinvention | Entrepreneurship |Thought LeadershipShow Notes
A rapid-fire conversation on transferable STEM skills, working smarter, visibility and what is actually good enough to start.
What beliefs are quietly keeping STEM professionals stuck? "I am just a scientist." "I need to work harder." "My work will speak for itself." "I am not ready yet." In this Fire Chat, Lauren Barber, nurse and founder of NeedleCalm, challenges some of the assumptions that can stop technical professionals from moving beyond the path they were trained for. Lauren built a medtech company without starting with a business background. Her experience is a useful reminder that you do not need to know everything before you begin, but you do need enough energy and curiosity to keep taking the next right step.
🔍 What You'll Learn:
Why your scientific or clinical expertise can be an advantage outside your traditional technical role. What "work smarter" can actually look like, including using AI as a thought and learning partner. Why done can be better than perfect when applying for grants, awards and opportunities. Why good work does not always speak for itself, and how word of mouth, networking and visibility help. What Lauren believes you really need before starting something new.
Play this episode if you have been waiting for more skills, more money, more confidence or a perfect plan before making your next move.
🧠 About the Guest: Lauren Barber is a registered nurse and founder and CEO of NeedleCalm, an Australian medical device company focused on reducing pain and anxiety during needle procedures. After repeatedly seeing the impact of needle fear in clinical practice, Lauren developed NeedleCalm and has spent the past decade learning how to turn clinical insight into a commercial product.
📌 Episode Highlights: 00:00 The beliefs that can keep STEM professionals stuck 01:20 Meet Lauren Barber and NeedleCalm 02:40 The clinical experience that led her towards entrepreneurship 04:15 "I'm just a scientist", why technical skills do transfer 05:10 Working smarter instead of simply working harder 06:00 Using AI as a thought and learning partner 07:00 When done is better than perfect 07:40 Why your work will not always speak for itself 08:20 What is actually good enough to start 08:50 Taking the next right step
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
NeedleCalm Claude Grants and founder awards Professional networking
🤔 Reflection Time:
Which skill from your STEM background are you undervaluing because it feels ordinary to you? Where are you working harder when a better tool, system or person could help you work smarter? What could you start now if you stopped requiring yourself to know the whole path first?
Full interview: 🎧 https://shows.acast.com/multiple-hats/episodes/6a8114dbff328abd8407723c
Want to craft a career story that opens doors? I help STEMM professionals speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose and show up as thought leaders —so the right opportunities find you. 📬 Let’s connect: angeliquegreco.com.au | LinkedIn
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