I stand proudly amongst a powerful group – women in STEM.
My profession involves the application of fundamental scientific principles to safely unlock the energy stored in the Earth. As a Process Engineer, my responsibility is to optimize hydrocarbon processes and to assist with mitigation of threats to persons, assets, and the environment.
A challenge that I’m sure is persistent across all technical fields is the lack of female representation. I felt the weight of this observation very early in my career. But guess what – it’s getting better!
Many organizations are now committed to improving the percentage of women in their workforce. The company I am proud to call myself part of places emphasis on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Roles traditionally thought to be better suited to males, such as the Field Technician, are today shared by both genders. The General Manager of my section (the largest in the company) is a woman. The two senior engineers I report to are women. Each day that I show up to work, not only am I testimony to the power of women in STEM, but I am reminded of it with every other name I type into the email recipient box or every other voice I hear in a meeting.
Another issue arising from existing in a male-dominated field is Impostor Syndrome. Being a female in a male-dominated environment can sometimes contribute to struggling with feelings of doubt, despite one’s accomplishments and qualifications.
My advice here is the popular proverb – ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’. It’s important to recognize that everyone will contribute a unique experience to a team. As a woman in a mainly male-dominated environment, there is the opportunity to leverage an experience that is different from the majority around us. My advice is to separate feelings from facts – you have made it to where you are and despite the environment you are in, keep doing the things you were doing that got you there. A golden tip: There will be a point where these will not take you further. Strategizing is key to continued success.
Finally, a bit on work-life balance. More often than not, I’ve seen bias against women with children and families govern decisions pertaining to their ability and capacity to deliver, when these factors have never been used as a crutch by these same women. In fact, I’m of the opinion that mothers and wives are superheroes! The tenacity and prioritization skills required to balance their personal life only serve to enhance their effectiveness in workplace. We recognize that balance is silver, planning is gold, and prioritization is platinum. There will always be more than you can do at any given point – you may have the capability but not the capacity, and this is where prioritization will guide the placement of your effort.
These are just some of the challenges that I as a woman in STEM have faced and/or witnessed. However, we must recognize these challenges as unique opportunities for growth. Moreover, we are poised to break barriers with the legacy we are building, thus paving the way for future generations of women in the field and ultimately contributing to a more diverse and inclusive STEM community
To my fellow women in STEM, I challenge you to persevere despite any limitations that you think are inherent in being a woman in STEM – there are NONE. To the men in STEM, your duty is to Accelerate Progress by investing in the women around you. Teamwork makes the dream work, and the dream has no room for exclusion.
