As a member of the Rockwell Automation Society of Women Engineers and Professional Women’s Council (PWC), I realise that we need to educate young girls about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects. We must teach them that engineering isn’t just studying physics and computer science – and that there are many opportunities that can be exciting and fun.
Products need to be designed, to look and feel good, as well as perform a function. They also need to be marketed and sold, it isn’t just being able to write code or run around with a screwdriver in your hand.
Women are fantastic at visualising, communicating and empathising. We’re also great at the elements of being an engineer that are historically considered to be male traits.
We can relate to customers and solve problems as well as the next “man.” We can also earn a good wage while helping those customers – and most importantly feel great at what we do.
When I was at school and I said I wanted to be an engineer I was told to “stop being so silly” and to “think of a sensible job.” Thankfully, I ignored that advice.
