International Women in Engineering Day 2024 - Featuring SGH Employees
As we recently celebrated International Women in Engineering Day on June 23rd, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of women in the engineering field. Here at SGH, we are proud to honor the remarkable achievements of our many talented women engineers. This special day serves as a powerful platform to motivate the next generation of female engineers and champion gender equality across the industry.
In this Q&A blog post, we’re excited to feature three inspiring women who are making waves in engineering: Casey Bauer, Commercial Marketing Manager at Cree LED; Morgan Meadows Davis, Product Manager at Cree LED; and Neha Misra, Director of Engineering at Stratus. Join us in celebrating their successes and exploring their journeys!
Meet Casey Bauer , Commercial Marketing Manager at Cree LED.
How can we encourage more girls and young women to pursue STEM fields, especially engineering?
Access and representation—easy to say, but harder to achieve. Many of my male friends entered engineering and STEM fields after a parent (typically a father) had a STEM career. We need to provide other points of access to the industry. Middle school is when interest in STEM fields plateaus for girls. Helping girls access exciting STEM opportunities early through clubs and events and providing them with continued mentorship afterward is critical to improving representation in engineering.
In what ways can the engineering industry become more inclusive and supportive of women?
Companies should provide institutional support and allocate time for their women leaders to mentor others. They should also challenge themselves to answer questions like: why are there no females in senior leadership at the company, or whether they pay female (or minority) engineers equitably with male counterparts, and if there are gaps, why?
Do you have any particular role models that inspired you to get into engineering in the first place, or whom you look up to today?
My dad had three daughters who he taught everything "you’d want your son to know." We could swing hammers, read blueprints, and take apart the dishwasher if we needed to. He challenged the norms of the time, and I aim to advocate for diversity with the same boldness in my career.
Meet Morgan Meadows Davis, PMP , Product Manager at Cree LED.
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How can we encourage more girls and young women to pursue STEM fields, especially engineering?
We need to start encouraging them in schools at all ages, especially in elementary. By age 7, many girls feel that STEM fields are more suitable for boys, while they are encouraged to pursue other interests. Schools need to identify and overcome these biases, and as a community, provide girls opportunities to participate in interactive STEM experiences. When I was young, my school had an advanced learning program that I participated in from 2nd to 5th grade. This program gave me opportunities outside of the classroom to explore other subjects and projects of interest. I believe this exposure and interactive learning developed my interest in STEM subjects and gave me the confidence to show my strengths in these areas as I continued through my academics.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Science and numbers always made sense to me and are the subjects I gravitated to in school. I enjoy the challenge of thinking through problems and finding a solution. Pursuing a career in engineering allowed me the opportunity to merge all of that into one.
Meet Neha Misra , Director of Engineering at Stratus.
Can you share a significant project or achievement from your career that you're particularly proud of?
One project that I am immensely proud of is the successful launch of our latest product, "Stratus ztC Endurance." It marked the first time I was involved in a project from its conceptualization to its release. What made it particularly rewarding was the chance to contribute not just on the engineering front, but also in product management. This allowed me to engage directly with our customers through beta programs, integrating their feedback to enhance the product further. Additionally, collaborating with diverse cross-functional teams added a rich layer of learning and collaboration to the experience.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?
The advice I would give to young women considering engineering is:
These incredible women—Casey, Morgan, and Neha—are not only breaking barriers in engineering but also paving the way for future generations. Their stories and advice are a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and self-belief. As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, let’s take inspiration from their journeys and continue to support and uplift women in engineering. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable industry for all.