ETHER KU Leuven’s Post

Anyone who knows me well knows I am very passionate about raising the awareness of getting more women into Engineering. So, this weeks post is about Women in Engineering statistics directly from Engineers Australia. While the data is a few years old, the needle hasn't really moved much in the last 5 years. Historically, engineering professions globally have been dominated by male employees. Unfortunately, this trend continues in Australia with only 14% of engineers being women and an underwhelming 3.8% of them being Australian born. Like so many other STEM industries, engineering in Australia is lagging the rest of the world, especially India and Pakistan where gender parity has already been reached. And even more concerning is the nation’s current skills shortage, a direct result of Australian born students not pursuing engineering qualifications. In fact, only 8.5% of Australian graduates are engineers, the sixth lowest in the OECD, fuelling the skills crisis to peak in 2040. Now is the time to mobilise with drastic changes needed from governments, industry bodies and schools. To help grow the female talent pipeline in engineering, we’ve created the Advancing Women in STEAAM conference. At this groundbreaking event, you will hear from inspiring women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Aviation, Arts and Mathematics. The Advancing Women in STEAAM conference takes place in Melbourne, February 17-19, 2025. To purchase your ticket and view the program, go the website; https://lnkd.in/eZRDvjfD Generate your STEAAM power! Read more stats and stories about females in engineering: https://lnkd.in/eCJXSbgX https://lnkd.in/eWKf2irm. https://lnkd.in/enstPpYQ

Breaking Barriers in Engineering 🚀 Attracting more women into UK engineering roles is not just a goal; it's a necessity. With the engineering sector evolving rapidly, diverse perspectives are crucial for innovation and growth. Yet, women remain significantly underrepresented in this field. How do we change this? Firstly, we need to start early. Encouraging young girls to pursue STEM subjects from a young age can make a world of difference. Schools and educational institutions must actively promote engineering as a viable and exciting career option for girls. Role models and mentors play a vital role here - seeing successful women in engineering can inspire the next generation to follow suit. Secondly, companies must create an inclusive culture. This means not only hiring more women but also ensuring they thrive in their roles. Flexible working hours, mentorship programs, and clear career progression paths can help retain female talent. It's also essential to address unconscious biases in hiring and promotion processes to create a level playing field. Finally, industry-wide initiatives are key. Collaborative efforts between government, educational institutions, and private companies can lead to impactful changes. For instance, the UK government's "Women in Innovation" programme has already shown promising results. By continuing to support such initiatives, we can work towards a more balanced and inclusive engineering workforce. #WomenInEngineering #STEM #DiversityInTech

Did you know that by 2023, only 16.7% of professionals in the engineering field were women? Back in 1980, this number was just 5%. Interesting, right? (Source: Society of Women Engineers). Yesterday, June 23rd, was International Women in Engineering Day—a day to remember that anyone can study and work in fields they are passionate about 🌟 When we pursue our passions, give our best, collaborate in teams, and seize opportunities, we create the perfect environment for innovation to happen, bringing contributions that can revolutionize industries and the world :) And we, women do certainly bring unique and creative perspectives, ideas, and solutions to different challenges and contexts, even if it's a new area or field; we find a way, we don't give up, we try, we are eager to learn, we adapt, and we always look to grow. It’s also a day to celebrate the many achievements women have made in science over the years and to highlight the importance of encouraging girls to explore STEM fields, yess, even a short conversation can make a huge difference. Creating opportunities for girls to discover their passions in science is crucial! It's an honor to be an engineer and I'm grateful to have met and worked with talented, brave and wonderful female colleagues from around the world. Here is a picture of my Bachelor's Graduation in Industrial Engineering back in 2018, which coincidentally was on International Women’s Day, March 8th. Let's continue to support and inspire the next generation of female engineers, let’s keep encouraging and uplifting each other so we can raise that percentage even more💕 #WomenInEngineering #STEM #Innovation

I owe my career to the role models who have guided me along the way. Last week, I had the opportunity to reconnect with two of them (Bree and Bernie) during a roundtable discussion focused on enhancing diversity in engineering, held by Engineers Australia in collaboration with RMIT University. The session was led by Bernadette Foley, Acting Chief Engineer, and Professor Margaret Jollands, Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching, who highlighted the need for universities and industry to unite in addressing the leaky pipeline in engineering. One statistic that particularly struck me was that while 40% of women choose to study mathematics in VCE, only 16% go on to pursue engineering at university. Even more alarming is that the percentage of women entering the engineering workforce has remained almost the same since I was born in 1996. I believe we need to tackle three core issues: 1️⃣ How can we encourage women interested in STEM to choose engineering as a field of study? 💡 Engineering is often stereotyped as an unappealing profession and needs a rebranding that resonates with a generation heavily influenced by online perceptions. 2️⃣ What can we do to ensure these women complete their degrees? 💡As someone who was part of the 16% who chose engineering, I understand how daunting it can be to enter a lecture theatre that doesn’t reflect the diversity of society. Picture a room with 300 students, where 252 are men. While this statistic simplifies the reality of gender representation, it hopefully captures my point. The reason I persisted was that I believed the discomfort would eventually pay off as I had role models succeeding in the industry and wanted to follow in their footsteps. 3️⃣ How do we retain women who finish their degrees within the industry? 💡The National Association of Women in Construction (AU) recognises 30% representation as the tipping point for cultural change. Yet, current statistics indicate that we won't see 20% representation of women in engineering until 2070. Given that I will be retired by then, I hope that universities and industry can indeed work together to beat this and create a more inclusive industry.

🌎This Sunday is International Women in Engineering Day. We’ll all hopefully be outside enjoying the fashionably late British summer instead of scrolling through LinkedIn this weekend, so over the next few weekdays I’ll be sharing my thoughts on women in engineering, with the goal of challenging stereotypes and considering why increasing diversity in engineering is so important. ⚙️To start off, a personal thought: women in engineering are a minority, but not an anomaly. 👱♀️When I gained a place to study mechanical engineering at university, comments about how unusual it was for a girl to study engineering outnumbered any congratulatory praise. Similarly after graduating, upon revealing my degree subject, I was almost always asked how many girls were on my course, rather than why I chose to study engineering or whether I enjoyed it. This conversational focus on my being a minority because of my gender singled me out as an anomaly – the woman engineer – and at times risked amplifying my inevitable imposter syndrome in a heavily male-dominated field. Data indicates that only 16.5% of engineers in the UK were women in 2021, having risen from just 10.5% in 2010. The woman engineer may be a minority, but should not be seen as an anomaly. 🌑A year before the 1970 Equal Pay Act came into being, 1969 saw man first set foot on the moon, and the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society. 1969 was promoted as Women in Engineering Year, launched by the Minister for Education and Science, Shirley Williams. It was put to Williams in parliament that year that “in Russia one engineer in three is a woman whereas in Great Britain the comparable figure is one in 500”. Progress has been made since the revolutionary summer of ‘69, but unfortunately the woman engineer is still a minority. #INWED24 Women's Engineering Society #womeninstem #womeninengineering #stem #diversity #DEI #engineering

Only 16.5% of UK engineers are women    As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day - a global celebration of the work and achievements of women engineers, we ask, how can we attract more women into the industry?      At MSC, we are proud to support and champion the vital role that women play in shaping the future of these key sectors. Engineering and manufacturing have long been male-dominated fields, but we are thrilled to see more and more talented women breaking down barriers and forging successful careers. Their innovative thinking, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills are invaluable assets that are driving innovation and progress across industries.     While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to close the gender gap and inspire the next generation of female engineers:     In the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women, despite making up 47% of the overall UK workforce.     Women account for just 16% of engineering and technology undergraduates in the UK.     We must continue to encourage and support women to pursue careers in engineering. By tapping into the full talent pool, we can drive innovation, problem-solving, and progress for the benefit of all.     Engineering offers so many incredible opportunities for women to make a real impact. If you've ever considered a career in engineering, take that first step. The world needs more brilliant female engineers to help solve the challenges of today and tomorrow.     #INWED24 #womeninengineering #ukmfg #enhancedbyengineering #apprenticeships  

On International Women in Engineering Day, Nicola Booth MCIBSE MIHEEM, Head of Development for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and STEM ambassador, offers her top ten pieces of advice for women who are interested in a career in engineering: 1. Embrace your passion: Pursue what truly interests and excites you in the field of engineering. Don't be afraid to explore different areas within engineering to find your niche. 2. Be confident: Believe in your abilities and value as an engineer. Trust that you have the skills and intelligence to succeed in any challenge that comes your way. 3. Seek mentorship: Don't hesitate to reach out to experienced professionals, both male and female, for guidance and mentorship. Their insights and advice can be invaluable as you navigate your career path. 4. Don't let stereotypes hold you back: Unfortunately, there may be times when you encounter stereotypes or biases as a female engineer. Don't let these discourage you or limit your aspirations. Stay true to yourself and prove your capabilities through your work. 5. Network effectively: Build a strong professional network within the engineering community. Attend conferences, join professional organisations, and participate in networking events to connect with peers and potential mentors. 6. Prioritise work-life balance: Engineering can be demanding but remember to prioritise your well-being and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Don't hesitate to seek support when needed. 7. Keep learning: The field of engineering is constantly evolving, so stay curious and committed to lifelong learning. Seek out opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement to stay competitive in the industry. 8. Advocate for diversity and inclusion: As a female engineer, use your voice and influence to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within the engineering profession. Champion initiatives that promote equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their characteristics. 9. Celebrate your achievements: Take pride in your accomplishments, both big and small. Celebrate your successes and milestones along the way, and don't be afraid to acknowledge your contributions to the field of engineering. 10. Stay resilient: Engineering can present challenges and setbacks but remember that resilience is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals. Stay resilient, stay determined, and keep pushing forward towards your dreams. There are more than 350 rewarding careers in the NHS – find yours at healthcareers.nhs.uk #INWED24

Do you know that women only represent 36% of students in STEM fields according to UN data? This Sunday, we're highlighting International Women in Engineering Day by shining a spotlight on our propulsion engineer, Büşra Kahraman! 🌟 In honor of this day, we've done a special interview with Büşra to share her inspiring journey and insights. Learn about her path to becoming an engineer, the challenges she has overcome, and her advice for young women aspiring to enter the field. Check out the full interview to get to know Büşra better and be inspired by her story! 💪✨ #WomenInEngineering #INWED2024 #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Engineering

It has been a privilege working with WEPAN - Women in Engineering ProActive Network and supporting their mission to enhance the career success of women in STEM, especially those from underrepresented groups. For over three decades, WEPAN has been dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in engineering education and professions. By connecting people, research, and best practices, WEPAN boosts the success of women and underrepresented communities from college to leadership. Some of WEPAN's key activities include: 🔹 Empowering Change Agents: Supporting individuals and organizations committed to transforming cultures of exclusion. 🔹Creating Evidence-Based Resources: Developing research and proven practices to ensure the success of women in engineering. 🔹Fostering Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with universities, corporations, and professional societies to create lasting impact. To build a strong innovation ecosystem, underrepresented inventors must have equitable access to patent knowledge and resources. That’s where Invent Together’s The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA) steps in! TIPA is a free online course offering foundational insights into the patent system, making the patenting process more accessible. Be sure to check out WEPAN’s TIPA webinar series for a deeper dive into equitable innovation: 💡Webinar 1: https://lnkd.in/gaQwKq2c  💡Webinar 2: https://lnkd.in/g8y-fMhX 💡Webinar 3: https://lnkd.in/g7HER4SA As we continue to push for equity in STEM, organizations like WEPAN remind us that collaboration, knowledge, diversity, and leadership are essential for real progress. #InclusiveInnovation #PatentDiversity #WomenInSTEM

On International Women in Engineering Day, let's spread the word about the various Engineering Disciplines! Some of our members have expressed their wish to explore other engineering areas. The article in the comments below, provides a good overview. Also, if you wish to encourage young girls into engineering, this article gives you a quick view of the alternative Disciplines so you can have a conversation with young students about alternatives for them.