• Question: Do you feel that both genders are equal in your line of work? Or is there some differentiation? :)

    Asked by hargrover to Amit, Emily, Joanne, Martin, Paige on 14 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Martin Wallace

      Martin Wallace answered on 12 Mar 2012:

      Engineering has been a male-dominated industry for many years, however in my experience there are a lot more women coming through now.
      In our company the production manager (the person in charge of the factory) is a woman, and I’ve worked with lots of women in projects during my career. When I started at university there were not many females compared to the number of males, however quite a lot of the boys dropped out whereas the girls stayed.

      In my opinion there is no difference between men and women in engineering – I’ve studied alongside some of my best friends who are engineers, so I know we have the same capabilities and knowledge.
      I have seen occasions where some of the older engineers may be prejudiced against female engineers, and appear quite set in their ways – however that’s where the new generation of professional engineers need to change the industry, both men and women, with the ability to recognise exceptional talent regardless of gender.

    • Photo: Joanne Davies

      Joanne Davies answered on 12 Mar 2012:

      Hello hargrover!

      I would like to say that both genders are equal in my line of work, but it’s still very much a man’s world and there is some differentiation. There aren’t as many women in higher positions, but it is changing as more women enter the profession.

      A very interesting and thought provoking question hargrover!

      Some companies are like Old Boys’ Clubs but fortunately they are few and far between.
      I got an email once addressed to ‘Dear Gents!’ It irritated me somewhat and at the same time I found it rather funny too. 🙂

    • Photo: Emily Bullen

      Emily Bullen answered on 12 Mar 2012:

      Hiya!
      I agree with Martin and Jo… engineering has been a male dominated world, but that is changing fast. Here are some facts from my experience…
      In my year at uni 1 in every 3 was a girl.
      When I was interviewed for my job there were 12 candidates selected… we were all girls.
      Amongst the group of people who do the same job as me 1/3 are girls.
      My boss is female, and there are females high up in the company.
      My job involves working with the technicians who actually run the chemical plant; that is still pretty much a male dominated world. But I reckon I actually get quite a lot of respect for doing my job as a female (especially when I do something that makes their life easier).

    • Photo: Amit Pujari

      Amit Pujari answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Hi hargrover,

      Sorry for the late reply.

      As Martin, Joanne and Emily say, Engineering used to be a male-dominated industry. And within engineering certain engineering sections might have more number of women than others. For example total number of women in mechanical engineering could be quite different than total number in computer or bioengineering.

      The place where I work, there are possibly more women than men, at least equal. So, gender equality ratio is changing fast and it is changing for good!

    • Photo: Paige Brown

      Paige Brown answered on 17 Mar 2012:

      Hi hargrover,

      Sorry also for my late reply!

      Engineering has traditionally been dominated by men… but this is beginning to change, especially in biological or biomedical engineering. I think women were well represented in my college program. Then, in science and engineering writing and communications, there are many women practice in this field!

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