EngineerHer

I can almost hear the shock at that title. But really, it is a problem. C’mere until I tell ye why…

I’m currently writing a paper for the upcoming TECIS 24 conference, being held in Waterford this year. (It’s usually great fun, but also a good learning experience!) Anyway, the topic of this paper is about the benefits of women in engineering, where I’m interviewing a range of engineers about their experiences with women in engineering.

A major finding? The vast majority of women engineers are excellent. They are the high fliers, the ones that show the skills, the competencies and all the rest that the engineering profession is screaming out for.

Not seeing a problem?

Well it’s kinda related to the “women in superhero films” problem. If only excellent women are allowed into the space, the profession, the film, then we’re not equal yet. We’re still eliminating not-quite-half the population automatically.

A conversation with a woman engineer in academia revealed that girls in secondary school “eliminate” themselves from engineering because they don’t feel strong enough in maths and science. Boys on the other hand are much more likely to go down the “good enough” route. As in, “I need a C in honours maths, got the C, can get the points in other subjects”. Girls are much more bought into the idea that you need an A in honours maths before considering engineering.

This shows in both university results and workplaces – girls and women perform better, according to everyone I have spoken to so far.

Ok, but… what’s wrong with excellence?

Nothing, as far as it goes.

But when it comes to the pressure on women in engineering and girls wanting to enter engineering, it’s a big problem.

In any given men’s engineering group, there is a gradation of skills, ability, ambition, etc. Not really so in women’s engineering groups. Women in engineering generally reach high levels of qualification, competence, ambition.

Which means that we don’t have a cohort of solid women engineers. And we’re still eliminating almost half the population. Not everyone needs to be excellent. I speak as someone who took a long time to find her feet as an engineer – and a very long time not being excellent. Having potential, oh yes. I’m no longer embarrassed about admitting to my intelligence, my competence, my expertise and my skills. But earlier in my career? Totally different story. I didn’t believe I had any…

What can we do?

Well, here’s the thing. There’s a massive portion of the population, including all genders, that doesn’t have a bit of interest in engineering as a career. And honestly, that’s grand. But we need to address the shortage of engineers and technicians in the world right now.

And part of that includes reaching out to those girls, making choices about university, apprenticeships etc, that are interested, but not fully decided yet. They see themselves as not good enough, not bright enough, not good enough at maths/science to enter this sphere.

This is where parents, teachers and peer groups have a massive influence. For people who have no interest in engineering, nothing will ever convince them that engineering is for them. For people who are determined to be an engineer, they will put the work in, get the exam results they need, do what they need.

It’s the inbetweeners (not the TV program!) we need to consider. I’m not saying ignore the excellent – they obviously deserve all the support they need as well. But they’re on track. They may need mentoring or help deciding which university to attend or similar.

But the inbetweeners, the ones that are interested, but don’t feel they have the ability? Or the background? Those are the ones we can spend time with. It needs to start in school, obviously, and I know places like UCD are already doing this. But it also needs to happen outside of school as well.

And in the workplace?

Even after university, there is a steady drip of women leaving engineering as a profession. I’m waiting to read some new research on this, but it appears that this is not due to inflexible workplaces, or having families or any of the usual excuses given. I haven’t read this research yet, but I’ll draw on other research I’ve read. One piece of research suggests that in the workplace, a woman mentor is far more important to a woman engineer than it is pre-career.

This makes sense. When you are the only woman in the team and you’re constantly standing out and you’re getting no support around this, it doesn’t help anything. As an excellent engineer, you will probably receive extra attention that will make up for this lack. But as a “normal” or standard or non-excellent engineer? You’ll sometimes be left floundering.

And when you feel like you’re struggling but don’t know why (we’re in the 21st century after all, sexism in the workplace is no longer a thing, right?), it’s easy to see an alternative career as an attractive solution. Male engineers gain support from other engineers in their network. In a male-dominated workplace, you can usually find someone to get on with, be a work-friend with when you are male. (Or at least cis male – trans people have different issues that I’m not qualified to answer)

But as the only woman in the group? Trying to talk to other women of your acquaintance and they may not understand the problem. Trying to talk to male engineers and they may not recognise or even see the behaviours you’re experiencing. There are occasions when a good old bitch and moan session with another woman engineer really helps. It’s even better if it’s a constructive conversation with someone who has similar experience and can help you manage the situation.

Don’t feel downhearted!

I hate to break it to you, but if you are currently a female engineer, chances are you are in the “excellent” category. It’s a resounding outcome of the conversations I’ve been having. Overwhelming in fact.

But even if you don’t feel “excellent”, that’s ok too. We don’t all have to be excellent, nor aspire to be excellent. Equality will come when we have as many standard, mediocre and downright useless female engineers as we have male…

And if you are struggling with being the “only woman” in your workplace, or feeling like maybe engineering isn’t for you, even if you are interested – reach out. Comment on the blog, drop me an email or a linkedin message. Trust me – there’s really not much in the engineering workplace I’ve not come across in the last twenty years!