Life is not easy for any of us…We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained." Marie Curie is an inspiration for all scientists and for good reason as she was a true pioneer and the first scientist to be awarded a Nobel Prize in two different categories. With more young women than ever opting to study within the STEM field, we look to answer just what it takes to create a rewarding and successful career within academia or the pharmaceutical industry as a female. We will explore insights from those in the field today to understand the technical and soft skills necessary to flourish.