
We're
celebrating International Women In Engineering Day this week! Today, June
23rd, women globally are recognized for their achievements and efforts in
engineering. While many women today are accomplishing incredible feats as
professionals, they still face hurdles to overcome due to perpetuated
stereotypes at all levels.
To
help combat these misconceptions and celebrate the incredible women in STEM
today, this Women In Engineering Day, several women working in engineering
fields have shared their thoughts and encouragement for the future.
Ronit Polak, vice president of engineering, Exabeam
"Teachers
should be the first to combat the misconception that a career in engineering is
a ‘man's world.' Many young girls have the idea that engineers code all day,
which discourages them from expressing interest in the field. This is something
we desperately need to change. Educating young girls about the wide range of
engineering occupations might help them understand where their interests might
fall inside the engineering umbrella sooner. Early exposure increases the
likelihood that children, particularly girls, would pursue a career when they
reach college age and beyond.
It
is not just on educators. Organizations must also work to establish a welcoming
environment for all people, from all walks of life. Every employee, regardless
of gender identification, should strive to establish an environment in which
people can voice their concerns and be heard. We all come from a diverse range
of backgrounds and have taken different paths to get to where we are now.
Executive level and senior management would be wise to focus more on employees'
career paths to learn more about who they are and their growth targets within
the organization. As a result, team leaders can provide opportunities for
people to try out different tasks and positions in order to find where their
skills and talents fit best. Both parties then benefit.
It
has been well documented that different perspectives support better innovation
- the core of the engineering way of life. When individuals within an
engineering team all look the same, act the same, and come from the same
backgrounds, end users may not find unique or better solutions. Encouraging
women at a young age to pursue engineering provides varied perspectives to
attract various customers. On this International Women in Engineering Day, I
hope company leaders and educational institutions commit to paving the way for
a more equal engineering environment."
++
Doviana Tollaku, operations manager at Glasswall
"Engineering
is a very rewarding sector that offers many avenues to grow, learn and
progress, whilst also offering flexibility and variety. This should be
appealing to women as much as men, but it remains a very male-dominated field.
Part of this reason is likely the discriminatory nature of hiring within the
sector - a lot of job postings are clearly written to attract men, which can,
of course, be off-putting to women when applying for engineering jobs.
This
needs to change to reduce the gender gap in the industry and there are many
more things that businesses should be doing to encourage women into the sector.
Create an inclusive culture and shout about it - many women are reluctant to
change jobs when they're in their comfort zone, especially within a
male-dominated industry, so the reassurance that they will be supported and
empowered at work will encourage them to take on new challenges. At Glasswall,
we have established the Women in Tech committee to bring those at the company
together and raise the profiles of women more widely. As everyone has different
ideas and inspirations, providing opportunities for women to collaborate will
help solve problems, drive innovation and make a positive overall impact.
Ultimately,
my advice to women looking to enter the engineering industry is to believe in
yourself. Don't let obstacles get in your way - the second you let doubt creep
in, you will want to give up. Be passionate, seek the opportunities and go for it
- it will be worth it and drive you to great success."
++
Annemie Vanoosterhout, release and project manager, Datadobi
"It's
crucial that both men and women make space for people of all backgrounds,
races, and genders by challenging their work environments. Now that remote work
is more common, organizations can use this increased flexibility to the
advantage of their employees. For example, flexible hours which include working
from home can particularly benefit women tasked with balancing their family
life and their job responsibilities. This can then open up the door for more
opportunities, especially in engineering and tech.
But, it's not only up to organizations to challenge the status
quo. As women, we must also seek to go beyond the limitations of what we, and
others, say that we can do. In my own career, there have been one or two times
when I was passed over for a promotion and another candidate was chosen because
my supervisor didn't think I was a good fit. I used this opportunity to work
closely with the new manager and identify areas where I could excel and
contribute best. Just because you aren't accepted right away, that doesn't mean
you can't turn the situation around and prove what you're capable of. Sometimes,
you just have to accept that people aren't caught up with you yet.
I
recently read an article that said women tend to take on too much of the burden
and try too hard to change the world. But, I have to ask, why not try? If not
us, then who? The only thing is, we shouldn't be expected to do it alone."
++
Abigail Hipp, engineering program manager, Imply
International
Women in Engineering Day celebrates the hard working women who dedicate
themselves to innovating and progressing the engineering fields. While there's
been a lot of improvement in the industry for women over the years, there's
still more that can be done. Two primary areas where I see room for growth are
around mentorship and recognition for women. It can be difficult to picture
yourself in a job where there aren't many people who look like you, so the more
we can provide women with these kinds of resources, the more they will believe
that they can have success.
I
also want to encourage women to be bold, courageous and feel confident that
they have the skills, intelligence and perseverance to succeed. Find a mentor
who can help you navigate your career and keep a circle of positive people
around you. One great way to gain valuable experience is to volunteer your
professional services for non-profit organizations-you'll be giving back to
your community while simultaneously practicing your craft.
One
of my favorite things about my job is collaborating with an incredibly talented
and diverse team of individuals to creatively solve problems. By bringing
together diverse perspectives, your team will be able to create better
products, which will benefit your company and the industry as a whole because
it will open up a significant part of the customer base that shares those
different perspectives."
++
Sylvia Zachary, cybersecurity and software director - secure
communications (SCOM), Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions
"As
we celebrate Women in Engineering Day, it's important to remember that
diversity is inviting everyone to the table.
Engineering
curriculum teaches you critical thinking skills transferable to various career
options. Having the opportunity to work across multiple business areas at
Cubic, has given me the ability to explore numerous career paths in engineering
and management. This priceless experience has been advantageous for me
personally and professionally. To all the women chasing a career in this area,
remember to agile and open to new possibilities. Who knows where it will lead
you! Use your support system, mentors, allies and advocates for encouragement
and constructive criticism. Believe in yourself and value your contributions.
Women belong in engineering, period. You belong here."
++
Olga Ivanova, senior product manager, Plutora
"One
of the best ways that we can encourage more girls to take up STEM subjects at
school,and more women to choose engineering and development roles as adults is
to show them that there are already women following these career paths. Having
good role models is vital for anyone considering a job in our field as we're
able to show that it is being done, and women shouldn't ignore roles such as
these as viable and rewarding career choices. It's also a win-win scenario for
businesses with a more even balance of men and women with multiple studies
suggesting that a mixed gender group brings more diverse thinking to any
project than a group that is predominantly male or female.
It's
particularly important to begin encouragement amongst girls at an early age-research from the University of
Houston found that girls were more likely to take part in a computer
science-related activity when they were told that both girls and boys were
interested in it. When they were told that boys were more interested in it than
girls, far fewer of the girls were keen to get involved, showing ‘how
stereotypes can affect a sense of belonging,' according to the
researchers.
The
same can be said for adults, too. It can be difficult to picture yourself in a
job if you think no one like you has ever succeeded in it before. That's why
this Women in Engineering Day, I think it's vital that women from across our
industry use their experiences to encourage more women and girls to consider
taking a STEM subject at school or applying for a role within the STEM
industry. There's nothing to lose and so much to gain!"
++
Svenja De Vos, CTO, Leaseweb Global
"Despite
making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, women are still vastly
underrepresented in the STEM workforce. In commemoration of Women in
Engineering Day, it is critical that we teach young girls that women can be
successful in engineering roles. Despite recent increases in the number of
women entering an engineering or a STEM position, being a female manager in any
engineering role is still not as common as it should be.
We
should encourage industry leaders to speak to the younger generation about
their experiences in order to persuade young people to pursue technical
education or careers.
More
female role models are needed to shift perceptions, and practical measures,
such as training and internship opportunities, can assist to develop a positive
image of the Tech industry as a pleasant and productive place to work. As our
world becomes increasingly defined by technology, now is the time for the tech
industry to create and elevate more female role models who can inspire young
girls to follow in their footsteps."
++
Renata Budko, head of product, Traceable:
"I
am happy to see a day dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the
achievements of women engineers. These women are a huge part of shaping the
future and helping solve tomorrow's problems.
As
a woman engineer, it is a gratifying experience to show girls and young
engineers why what we do is so rewarding. We can make a difference in the world
with our developments and have taken it upon ourselves to tackle real-life
problems. There are also so many different aspects to it, so it never gets
boring.
Women
in this field know our strength lies in working together to see the bigger
picture. When we celebrate the achievements of women, we support equal
opportunity for all. Today we acknowledge the women in engineering that are a
part of the solution and are working for a brighter future for all."
++
Katie Busch-Sorensen, director of project engineering, Cubic Transportation Systems
"I
am very excited to see the societal shift where young girls are actively being
encouraged to explore STEM activities at an early age. Along with this shift, I
would love to see engineering organizations and companies play a more active
role in fostering young girls' interest in STEM-beyond just attending
expos.
Companies
and organizations are in a special place when it comes to providing
opportunities to young girls interested in STEM. There are many ways
organizations and private companies can create entry points for girls in
elementary and middle school. I'm eager to see more STEM programs in schools
and more affordable STEM engagements. Activities and opportunities like these
can help aid in the elimination of the outdated gender bias regarding young
womens' career choices.
As
a woman engineer you will have the opportunity to change how the world
functions. To be a world changer, I would encourage all young girls to be
curious explorers. Don't be afraid of STEM or any other career you wish to
pursue. For all you young ladies out there, get involved in as many hands-on
STEM activities as you can. Attend expos, listen to technology speakers online
and don't be afraid to reach out to any professional for help.
We
need equal gender representation because no-one gets it done alone in
Engineering. Putting together a smart and diverse team, that is engaged with
one another, is the secret recipe for success."
++
Pournima Parange, Engineering Manager at ConnectWise
"There
are many barriers facing women in engineering. Working mothers are still
expected to manage their home and children, alongside their office work. The
pressure to juggle both, and complete everything on time without compromise,
can cause women to struggle. Organizations should support female workers and
ease the pressure, providing equal opportunities for growth and encouraging
women to consider what is possible in their careers.
These
self-expectations can be a serious obstacle to women in the industry. However,
there is so much to gain from a career in engineering. Every day is a new day.
There are different challenges, and one has to think uniquely for resolutions.
It's important for women in the field to consider the value they bring to the
table.
My
advice: be innovative and chalk your own path for success. There is no formula
for success in the professional world. Be proud of what you do and take extra
efforts to achieve your goals. After all, the sky's the limit."
++
Lesley Dean, Director, Enablement & Learning at Fluent Commerce
"There
is still much societal bias in deeply ingrained gender stereotypes. Women who
do find interest in engineering, and perhaps even study it, find themselves in
a very male-dominated, competitive environment, and often don't stick to it.
Even for the few women that build a career in the industry, the management
level is often dominated by men, which continues to deter women. If there were
a few more female engineering managers around, this could encourage more young
women to pursue this career, believing they too can climb the ranks and have
influence and recognition in this field.
Don't
get me wrong, we are moving forward, but too slowly to see a significant impact
in the numbers. I've been in this industry for more than 20 years, and in many
ways, I feel as though there are even fewer women in engineering. Women tend to
take specific roles or areas of study, where the numbers are more balanced, or
even predominantly women.
My
advice for girls and women looking to start a career in engineering: Please do
it - we need you! Don't shy away from one of the most fun and rewarding careers
on the planet. Learning and being able to build things, solve problems, and
innovate with new ideas is addictive! Every day you have the opportunity to add
value, solve a problem, be creative, and see the outcome of your work.
Organizations
can do something with and through schools, helping to change some of the
systemic problems. Actively seeking to hire more women engineers, contribute
scholarships, and encourage their women engineers and leaders to share their
stories, and talk more about the great things they are doing in their company,
will also help to address this balance.
After
all, diversity brings more rounded and more innovative outcomes. Women often
have unique perspectives from men, and this can only result in better outcomes
when both can come together to design and build solutions to problems."
++
Swathi Desai, Staff Engineer, Acceldata
"Growing
up in India, engineering was something I was drawn to the very first time I got
to interact with a computer, in the 8th grade. I got to develop small programs
as part of the curriculum, which was so exciting for me! It eventually led to
me to choose computer sciences as my major, and along the way, I had some
university professors who were an incredibly positive influence on me. At one
of my first jobs, I was also lucky to meet more people who changed the way I
looked at data and computer science as a whole. Today, I work on the
development team for one of my company's core products. I get to speak to
customers, understand their requirements, and ensure they are incorporated into
our product - something that I find extremely rewarding.
So
I have been very fortunate, throughout school and in my career, to be part of
environments where women in engineering are valued, and to have great mentors
to help guide me. But challenges still exist for women in this field, and
that's why initiatives like International Women in Engineering Day are so
important, because they encourage women to pursue STEM careers and highlight to
companies the value that women bring to the engineering field.
Every woman who is part of
an engineering team is there because of her talents and capabilities. My hope
is that more and more women around the world get to be part of this profession
that I find so fulfilling."
++
Shreshtha Mundra, Senior Software Engineer, Cohesity
"My advice to young women in engineering, today and always, is to not second-guess yourself — just go for it. Research shows that many women do not apply for positions they’re qualified to hold, with a LinkedIn study finding that women apply to a staggering 20 percent fewer jobs than men overall. What’s more, an internal report by Hewlett Packard found that men will apply for a job when they meet about 60 percent of qualifications, while women tend to apply only if they meet almost all qualifications.
Of course, that’s only one part of the story. Within both the industry and in academia, we too often see a skewed pipeline of talent that overlooks highly qualified, capable women engineers. It’s beyond time for organizations to examine their hiring processes and work culture to ensure they’re creating opportunities for women in tech. Establishing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion councils, as well as employee resource groups, can go a long way toward opening new doors while also addressing the systemic factors behind existing biases."
++
Nathalie Tikwa, Engineering Manager, Nitro
"The most significant thing I’ve learned in my career is first, to learn how to work with a diverse set of people takes openness and patience. Secondly, for each project or task find the most optimal way to communicate within a team to get things done and with the stakeholders to accomplish strategic alignment. Finally, be aware of your team structure and ensure communication flows naturally - leaving minimum space for interpretation gaps.
My advice for someone looking to build a career in engineering is to jump straight into it. There are very few topics within the field that I have not been able to find high quality, open-source learning material and courses. It is an unlimited playing field, and nothing stops you from getting started on the topics you wish to explore."
++
Kiara Oliver, Software Engineer, Tamr
"As a software engineer, I have a passion for technology and problem solving. Although I fix bugs, do code updates and troubleshoot daily, I hope to learn more about design so I am able to create my own code from the ground up. I really want to be able to improve the efficiency of my code."
++
Marie Donovan, Quality Engineering Lead, Tamr
"My advice for women trying to break into engineering is to find something that truly interests you first. Then, look for a place that will make space for you to do that work but also gives you the flexibility to move between roles and try new things. Eventually, you may find something new that you want to try and having a place that supports your interests and mobility will be key to achieving that."
##