Word of Advice From Techies, This International Women in Engineering Day
“In one of my previous organizations, a senior once advised sticking to ‘easier’ domains as I was a newly married woman at the time. That encounter sparked my resolve not to be constrained by societal expectations. It pushed me to grow and find my own voice.” Learn more about Kamini Karunamuthy and others’ inspiring stories on International Women in Engineering Day 2024.
- The 11th International Women in Engineering Day 2024 is coming up on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
- The representation of women in tech is slowly increasing, but there is still a long way to go.
- As more women take up engineering and other technical fields as careers, Spiceworks News & Insights reached out to nine techies to understand their perspectives and difficulties as they navigated through the industry.
According to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), women earned just 1% of the engineering B.S. degrees in 1954. By 2020, this number had increased to 23%. However, employment shows a different trend.
The non-profit organization discovered less than 10% of employed engineers were women in 1993. In 2019, the number of employed women engineers increased to 14%, which means that the growth rate of women earning Bachelor’s degrees doesn’t correspond to the employment rate compared to men.
This gender disparity is a norm women face starting from college. “During my mechanical engineering studies, I found myself among only ten women in a class of 150,” Kamini Karunamurthy, content analyst at Accuris, told Spiceworks News & Insights. Karunamurthy’s engineering class had only 6.66% women, and she studied between 2014-2019.
However, the situation may not be as extreme as Karunamurthy’s across all engineering disciplines.
Data Source: U.S Census Bureau (2024) | Infographic: SWE
Still, the disparity is stark, and it goes to show how women are underrepresented in engineering/technology academia and the workforce. The question is why.
- Opportunities: Almost half of the female engineers in Australia cited the lack of equal opportunities
- Credits: Women are credited less than men in science research
- Culture: Women face a challenging workplace culture, with 1 in 5 facing workplace bullying and non-inclusiveness
- Compensation: There exists a pay gap between male and female engineers
Women also have a low entry rate in engineering academics.
Funnel of Participation of Women in Engineering
Source: June 2022 Women in Engineering Report by Engineers Australia
“Occupations like engineering and tech are no longer considered jobs specifically for men. I am very glad to see that women’s interests in STEM are now being fostered instead of being deterred by what was considered a ‘societal norm’ for women. While there is still a long way to go, strides have been made to ensure women have a place in engineering,” Prerana Singhal, founding engineer at Traceable AI, told Spiceworks.
“Now, we must continue to pave the way for the new generation of female engineers. Young girls need to see more examples of female engineers, they need to see their accomplishments be celebrated, and they need to know that this line of work can be so much fun.”
For the 11th International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) in 2024, Spiceworks News & Insights reached out to nine techies to understand their perspectives and the difficulties they faced while going through the funnel of participation.
See More: Women for Leadership: AI’s Role in Advancing Gender Equality
Women in Engineering Share Their Stories and Advice
Kamini Karunamurthy, content analyst at Accuris, on not being afraid to choose engineering as a career
“While the gender imbalance might be initially daunting, a shared passion for engineering transcended differences. This experience solidified my belief that a career path in STEM shouldn’t be defined by gender but by the fire of curiosity and the thrill of discovery that ignites within you. There’s a universe of possibilities waiting to be explored in the vast engineering landscape, and women hold the potential to be the architects of its future. Embracing this non-traditional path in engineering allows me to challenge preconceptions about the field and showcase the diverse skill sets that drive our industry forward.”
“I am passionate about advocating for diversity in engineering, believing that inclusive teams foster deeper innovation and better solutions. So, on this International Women in Engineering Day (#INWED), I encourage all young women to embrace their passions and pursue careers that ignite their imaginations. Don’t be discouraged by traditional notions; the world of engineering needs your unique perspective and innovative spirit!”
Karunamurthy started her career after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Teknologi PETRONAS Universiti and her Master’s in Business Analytics, Data Programming, & Analytics from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Soujanya Namburi, security research engineer, Traceable AI, on the importance of inculcating early interest in STEM
“Young girls can be inspired to pursue careers in engineering by introducing them to STEM opportunities early on, fostering their interests through mentorship programs or clubs, and showcasing diverse role models in the field. For existing female engineers, employers can foster an environment where women feel comfortable leading by prioritizing respect and inclusivity.”
“They can do this by implementing equal pay initiatives and being transparent with promotion processes to ensure fairness and opportunity for all employees. Additionally, they can implement a culture of zero tolerance for discrimination and open communication. These things will help create a supportive atmosphere where women can thrive in leadership roles without fear.”
Namburi earned her Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut.
Anna Collard, SVP content strategy and evangelist, KnowBe4 Africa, on the right skillset
“As someone who has navigated the cybersecurity landscape for over two decades and successfully started and sold a business in the field amid new motherhood, I learned that some of the key ingredients for success—not just at work, but in life—are a strategic integration of diverse skill sets, curiosity, and life-long learning, working on one’s confidence and the importance of balance and self-care.”
“The tech industry, and cybersecurity, in particular, is rapidly evolving. To stay competitive, it’s essential to develop and integrate various skills continuously. For example, although I have years of experience, I still call myself a beginner who has to learn new skills and knowledge daily. Technical skills are important, but so are soft skills like communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and project management skills to lead complex initiatives effectively or just to keep self-organized.”
“I also believe that a critical factor in advancing your career in tech, especially as a woman, is cultivating a strong sense of confidence. Believe in your capabilities and the unique perspective you bring to the table. It’s not just about technical experience but also about trusting your judgment and decisions and your ability to learn things on the job as you go along. You don’t need to have all the answers in the beginning. An intersection of different skill sets can set you apart. For example, combining cybersecurity expertise with knowledge in fields like AI, machine learning, quantum computing, or even psychology can open new opportunities. In my journey, combining seemingly unrelated concepts, such as story-telling and security-awareness, or mindfulness into the cyber field helped me differentiate myself.”
“It’s also important to be kind to yourself and recognize that being ‘good enough’ is perfectly fine. Whether as a mother, a businessperson, or an IT professional, striving for perfection can lead to burnout. Instead, focus on doing your best and understanding that it’s okay to seek and accept help. Avoid the trap of seeking external validation; our worth is not defined solely by outside success or others’ opinions.”
Collard pursued Essential Management from Dimension Data University and a Cyber Psychology Masters from FHWien der WKW. She is the recipient of the Cybersecurity Women of the Year Award 2023 in the People’s Choice Category. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Metaverse for the 2023-2024 term.
Naomi Buckwalter, sr. director of product security, Contrast Security, on skills, support, and leadership
“The tech industry can be intimidating, but your perspective and skills are valuable. Speak up in meetings, share your ideas, and be your own advocate. Embrace challenges as a chance to grow and develop your skills. Don’t underestimate yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Having a strong network of mentors and peers is crucial as well. Seek out other women in tech, both within your current company and beyond. Share your experiences, attend conferences and meetups, and learn from one another.”
“Finally, we need more women in leadership positions in tech. Studies have shown that women make great leaders due to our emotional intelligence and people skills. I urge all women in tech to believe in themselves and pursue leadership roles. We have the talent, the skills, and the vision to shape the future of technology.”
Buckwalter received her BS in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Master of Technology Management, and MS in Computer Science from Villanova University.
See More: Women’s Day Special: 5 Steps Tech Companies Can Take To Develop Women Leaders
Maya Kamath, engineering lead, Whatfix, on being unperturbed on the path to achieving the goal
“From service companies to cutting-edge projects like smart TVs and pre-Google Maps navigation apps, I jumped at every chance to learn and build. At Whatfix, I climbed the ladder from Mobile Lead Engineer to Engineering Lead. My journey hasn’t been without roadblocks. In one of my previous organizations, a senior once advised sticking to ‘easier’ domains as I was a newly married woman at the time. That encounter sparked my resolve not to be constrained by societal expectations. It pushed me to grow and find my own voice.”
“I would recommend embracing every experience as a learning opportunity for today’s generation of women engineers. Diverse perspectives offer unique knowledge. Define your path—deep technical expertise, broad industry understanding, or even entrepreneurship. The key is understanding what your goal is for your growth and what gives you joy. Chase your ambitions with passion—the engineering world needs your unique perspective.”
Kamath earned her Bachelor of Engineering from P. E. S. College of Engineering, Mandya, India.
Chaitanya Bhandari, software development engineer – II, Whatfix, on overcoming gender bias
“Early on in my career, I encountered gender bias that cast doubts on my capabilities not only within the workplace but also from clients. As a result, I felt compelled to continuously validate my skills and capabilities, striving to go above and beyond what was expected of me, more so than my male colleagues. To navigate these challenges, I focused on building confidence in my skills and knowledge, which significantly transformed how I communicated, interacted with others, and performed my work.”
“My advice for women in engineering, or those considering a career in this field, is to be confident in your knowledge and capabilities. This confidence influences your communication, interactions, and work performance. Technology is constantly evolving, so staying updated on emerging trends is essential. Being proficient in new technologies gives you an edge over others. Additionally, taking end-to-end ownership can set you apart. By managing all aspects of a project from start to finish, you demonstrate your expertise, dedication, and leadership.”
“In an industry where we often need to work twice as hard to prove ourselves, it’s crucial to keep learning, recognize your worth, and, most importantly, believe in yourself. Together, we can shatter the glass ceiling and push boundaries.”
Chaitanya got her Electronics and Communications Engineering degree from KLS Vishwanathrao Deshpande Institute of Technology, Haliyal.
ChanChan Mao, developer advocate, Alluxio, has a message for women in tech
“To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day is to celebrate ourselves and the growing representation of women as the tech industry evolves. I am always so in awe every time I attend tech events and conferences and see a woman on stage confidently speaking on her area of expertise.”
“Growing up as a little girl in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s easy to be underestimated and overshadowed by the lack of gender diversity. Perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve learned, as cliche as it sounds, is that we can do it! Our intelligence, passion, and innovative minds are beyond gender labels; our opportunities for growth and leadership should also be. We all have incredible potential to achieve outstanding careers in tech, and we are not allowing gender stereotypes to hinder our success.”
“Happy International Women in Engineering Day to all the women who have overcome gender stereotypes, who have pursued their passion in engineering despite barriers, and who have excelled in their careers. Thank you for inspiring the next generation of young girls breaking into tech and STEM.”
ChanChan has a BS in Computer Science from UC Santa Barbara.
Margaret Hoagland, VP, Global Sales & Marketing, SIOS Technology, on believing in yourself
Hoagland isn’t strictly a techie but has invaluable experience of almost 19 years in the technology industry. Here’s her message to women in tech:
“On this International Women in Engineering Day, remember to be courageous enough to take your time. Trust in yourself and your audience. When you have something to say, know that it is worth the wait. I’ve witnessed countless brilliant women diminish their impact by feeling rushed and speaking too quickly. So, pause. Reflect on your next words. Stand firm. Make them wait. Speak slower and move with purpose. Your voice matters, especially in STEM.”
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