Maybe gender stereotypes are a result of nurture more than nature . Being a type that always wants to go against the norm, I always wanted to become an engineer.
I think women are just as capable as men. However, it may be that a lot of women start from a disadvantaged position in addition to the gender stereotypes and bias that can still pervade our culture wherever we live, particularly within the male dominated sectors such as engineering. According to the statistics on Women in Engineering compiled by the Women’s Engineering Society in February 2014, female engineers received salaries 19.7 per cent lower than that of their male colleagues. Female engineers were also responsible for less important roles in the industry. In addition, the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe (5.5 per cent only).
Interestingly, as quoted from Women on Boards, BIS, February 2011, Companies with more women on their boards were found to outperform their rivals with a 42 per cent higher return in sales, 66 per cent higher return on invested capital and 53 per cent higher return on equity .
As a female engineer working in this male dominated environment for more than a decade, and as a mother of two young children, I do not claim this is an easy job at all. Some of the challenges for me would be:
- Frequent change of work locations. Today I may be working in London and tomorrow I can be in Birmingham or even Dublin;
- Long working hours. When I was working as a site engineer for Holmesdale Tunnels Refurbishment Project back in 2006, we worked 12 hours per shift. Including travel time and shift handover works, each day would normally start at 5.30am and I would get home at around 9pm. Each month, there was an average of one week when I had to work the night shift 7pm to 7am.
Apart from all that, as a woman you definitely have to work a lot harder to get recognition from your male colleagues and from your industry. However, at the same time, you are still required to plan enough quality time to manage your familys everyday life, raise your children and never let them down, supervising their homework every night, being there for them at their school plays or baking their cake at school charity events, which trust me, occurs more frequently than you can ever imagine.
And when there is an opportunity for career advancement, we women have to put our family into the equation before making choices of whether to accept it or not. Men, generally, dont.
The day after I came back to work from my maternity leave, my boss told me: It is important you find the hook to hang your career . I really struggled at the beginning of having children and coming back to work full time. I could be in the middle of an important meeting with VIP clients when the nursery would call to tell me to come and pick my son up immediately because he had had an accident. Other female colleagues have told me they do not consider having children at all as that would ruin their career prospects.
But I think differently. I would not change the life I have with my beloved children. Somewhere, somehow, I need to prove to my career-driven female colleagues that yes, women can have it all!
I understand that with two young children, I cannot achieve my career goals as initially planned. But it does not mean I cannot achieve them at all. I just have to accept the fact that it will take twice, maybe three or four times as long as it otherwise might. But gradually, hard work does pay off. We will get there. Seeing my kids growing up and their smiling faces everyday gives me so much strength, courage and passion in life.
It is very important to have a partner who is understanding and is willing to share the load and support your career. I am lucky to have one. We both take care of our kids ourselves while managing our full time jobs and more. Believe me, it is hard work, but it is manageable with a lot of forward planning and a structured family routine.
It is crucial to work in a company that understands, supports, and values their employees for their true ability and finds their gender irrelevant. I am lucky to work for London Bridge Associates Ltd (LBA), an engineering company where peoples needs and aspirations are consistently anticipated. I am surrounded by smart, friendly and hard-working people who genuinely care about the company and are always willing to share their knowledge. My director would sit down and listen to me talking about work, life, challenges and offer great support and advice.
The day I received the letter announced I had been shortlisted for First Women in Engineering 2013″ Award, and being one of the youngest nominated among other trailblazing women, I came to realise I am a lot more than who I think I was. I may not have it all as yet (but even men cannot), but I am a lot more confident in myself and know my worth. I rediscovered the pursuit of happiness. I appreciate family values, and at the same time, enjoy my work with new challenges every day. My definition of a successful career is to embrace change.
So women, stop asking yourself the question as to whether we can have it all. The most important thing is that we should all work towards creating a better society for women. And in broader vision, we should focus on sharing knowledge; helping our nations become healthy and happy ; providing the means to help people work more productively and encouraging everyone to value the people they love as much as the successful career they seek. Believe me, we are all worth it!
Mai Nguyen is a civil engineer at London Bridge Associates Ltd.
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