scte member focus
What are your impressions as a woman working in a male- dominated industry, and have these changed over the years? We cannot think of technology as independent from patriarchy which has based its existence on gender roles. This culture has been created over thousands of years! The gender-based division of labour in professions is also a result of this learned behaviour. For instance, the notion that engineering is a “male” profession has been normalised by society. As a result, female engineers often have to put in twice the effort to prove their competence and gain visibility. Changing this will not be easy, of course. However, the growing awareness of this issue in recent years has helped us make significant progress. Is it enough? Certainly not. But it’s progressing well. What would you like to see improve for women in engineering? There have been many improvements in the industry to encourage and promote more women in engineering, such as implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies across various sectors. These initiatives are definitely valuable and important! I can say that a lot has already changed, but we are not there yet. In my opinion, real change will occur when female engineers are not only given opportunities but are also fully recognised and celebrated for their contributions, leadership and expertise. It’s about creating a culture where women thrive, rather than participate. Have you had any mentors over the course of your career and how did they help you? I consider myself lucky because my very first manager in the industry was a female engineer. She was not only my manager but also my mentor and role model. Her guidance helped me build confidence and navigate the challenges of being new to the industry. She taught me valuable technical and leadership skills while also showing me that women can thrive in engineering roles. I think having a role model, especially in the early stages of your career, is incredibly important for shaping your aspirations and vision.
Strive to create a vision for your future and be curious, open- minded, and seek out like-minded individuals who can inspire and uplift you.
What would you tell a young entrant just about to get started in this industry? Technology is like an endless sky, you can learn anything you set as your goal. That’s why it’s crucial to value every opportunity and never limit yourself to what you currently know or do. Strive to create a vision for your future and be curious, open-minded, and seek out like-minded individuals who can inspire and uplift you. And above all, never lose your authenticity and enthusiasm! What is the best thing about this sector? I think the best thing about the industry is that it has a dynamic structure with constant change and transformation. As we know, our industry offers innovations that make people’s lives easier in areas such as education, healthcare, transportation and many more. I can also say that there is a well-established network and strong collaboration that continues to support these developments.
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Volume 47 No.1 MARCH 2025
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