In honor of International Women in Engineering Day on June 23, 2024, we surveyed women at Middough to hear about some of their accomplishments, perspectives, and challenges while working in the male dominated industry of engineering. Here is what they said:
Molly Green
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I loved toys like Legos and K'nex when I was a kid and always knew that I wanted to build things.
Can you share any experiences or obstacles you have faced as a female in engineering, and how you navigated through them?
Day to day obstacles such as being interrupted, opinions not taken into consideration, etc. are the hardest. It can make me doubt myself. When this happens, I like to look at my big, framed degree and those letters after my name and remind myself that I'm as qualified as anyone else.
In your opinion, what is the greatest impact that women can have in the field of engineering?
The greatest impact is the fact that being a woman provides no significant impact. We are engineers just like men are.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in the engineering field to better support women's advancement and equality?
I would like to see a focused effort to hire more diversified teams. Hiring one or two minorities is a good step, but real change won't come until it's so common to see them that they're not considered a minority.
Ashley Terry
Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud to have grown in my career in a way I never imagined. It feels good to know I am relied on and praised for good work. Each individual I have come across in my field has taught me new things along the way. I am particularly proud of my involvement in PSV work and document controls.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
My Father and Grandfather
Can you share any experiences or obstacles you have faced as a female in engineering, and how you navigated through them?
I have come across a couple of people who didn't trust my ability to perform my job properly as a woman.
Are there any mentors or role models who have played a significant role in your professional development?
Every woman I have had the luxury of meeting and or working with in my field. They have all been inspirations, especially my best friend, Brynn Conine.
Erika Reed
Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
Successfully managing large-scale projects and working directly with the engineering team and the client. Seeing a project be developed from a greenfield space to an operation plant, and knowing I had a contribution in the client success is rewarding.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I enjoyed math and science, so I decided to take a stab at engineering in college to see if it would stick, and it did!
Can you share any experiences or obstacles you have faced as a female in engineering, and how you navigated through them?
Being a female in a male dominated profession is always challenging. You have to give yourself grace in times of rougher waters. It is okay to stand for what you believe is correct and push back on your male colleagues. Aggressive and determined are different, but often relatable when it comes to us women and opinions from others.
In your opinion, what is the greatest impact that women can have in the field of engineering?
Being sensible and being sensitive at the same time, while matching your competence with your confidence.
Tracey Key
Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
I'm proud to be on major as well as CP projects. It allows me to be well-rounded in all aspects of the engineering field.
Are there any mentors or role models who have played a significant role in your professional development?
I would like to say I have seen Erka Reed grow more in her time so far here at Middough. She has moved up in a couple of positions.
In your opinion, what is the greatest impact that women can have in the field of engineering?
Women can have broader scale, there's more for everyone to go around.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in the engineering field to better support women's advancement and equality?
More Mentor or Sister-to-Sister group involvements as well as some reaching out to others in ethnic groups who may not have opportunities as well as others and have to put in more work to just be considered.
Paula Bowling
Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
I started at Middough as a Temporary Full Time employee in September of 1998. With the exception of a brief time of a few months away in mid 2004 to early 2005 I have been working at Middough the entire time.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I started in construction but was inspired by friend that worked as a designer.
Can you share any experiences or obstacles you have faced as a female in engineering, and how you navigated through them?
The biggest obstacle was and is overcoming gender stereotypes. Although it is less common, people still say that don't know how women can do "that" job.
In your opinion, what is the greatest impact that women can have in the field of engineering?
That everyone can have a seat at the table. We don't have to be looked over when answering math and science questions in primary and secondary school. omen understand math and science too.
Renee Morgan
Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
After being out of school for 25 years and out of the work force for a decade ( to raise my children) I sat for the New Jersey Professional Engineering license exam and passed! It was a career long goal of mine to be a PE and after the pause in my career I didn't think I could do it but after setting my goal and taking a year to prepare it was attainable. I now have 3 PE licenses, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Are there any mentors or role models who have played a significant role in your professional development?
Yes, I had an exceptional role model as I developed into the professional I am today. I hope to be able to do this for a younger woman as well.
In your opinion, what is the greatest impact that women can have in the field of engineering?
We bring a different perspective to teams and projects. We had to navigate thru college as the minority and have different skill sets because of that. I find the woman are the ones that are setting the bar for the team. Some of us had to juggle kids & a full time job. Some woman are responsible for an sick or aging parent on top of their full time engineering job. We do not have time to be inefficient.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in the engineering field to better support women's advancement and equality?
I would like to see more women in the technical executive positions. There still is not enough female representation in these positions. In some industries there is still an underlying subtle "boys club" mentality. This mentality is hurting companies in moral and in their profits. The change has to come from the top down.