engineering jobs

The Gender Problem in Engineering

By Dylan Smith 10 September, 2023 2 mins read

Engineering has a huge gender problem. More than 40% leave the engineering profession after becoming highly skilled. There have been many articles about why engineering is not for women. But what can be done to change this situation? In this article, we'll discuss some of the key factors that are contributing to the problem.

Inadequacy of female role models

According to UNESCO reports, 35% STEM students were female. This can be due to stereotypes and cultural barriers as well lack of confidence and vision. It is crucial that female engineers are more visible. By creating role models that inspire women, it is possible to increase the number female engineers. The Professional School of Software Engineering is a recent initiative to provide such role models.

While there are many male role model in the engineering industry, it is important not to forget that there are very few female role models. However, this problem is not insurmountable. There are several ways to address this problem. The first is to recognize the need and find role models for women. The second is to look for role models that are both female and male.

In engineering, there are not enough female engineers

Recent research shows that engineering policies and practices can partly explain why women lack leadership skills in the field. Some women working in engineering report good working relationships with their coworkers, and they enjoy engineering tasks. Others cite a lack of mentoring from their supervisors and discrimination. Women's unmet need could also contribute to the absence of female leaders in engineering.

Lack of role models to encourage women is one reason there aren't enough female engineers. This lack of role models makes it difficult for new generations of female engineers to find mentors. The solution to addressing this problem is to encourage more women to join engineering.

Uneven treatment

Many structural and cultural barriers negatively affect the persistence of women in engineering. Like many high-paying professions in the past, engineering was dominated by men. Because of this, it is often more difficult for women and girls to fight against inequality. However, there are ways to combat these issues.

This bias can be overcome by listening to your inner voice. Women engineers often feel that their views and opinions are not being taken seriously, and that they do not belong to the class of "real engineers". This research shows that feeling valued can create chronic stress and make it difficult for female engineers to manage other stressors. This can cause burnout and even lead to the idea of quitting engineering.

Microaggressions

Engineers are subject to microaggressions. However, these can be managed or eliminated through strategies that encourage diversity. These negative experiences may prevent some women from continuing in the engineering profession. This research aims at understanding the effects of microaggressions within engineering programs and finding strategies to prevent them.

Numerous studies have found that microaggressions towards women working in STEM fields is common. These negative experiences are detrimental to women's psychological health and professional identity. Many women believe these negative experiences are due to internalised sexism.

FAQ

What is a Mechanical Engineering Engineer?

A mechanical engineer designs machines for people, such as vehicles, tools, products and machinery.

Mechanical engineers use mathematics, physics, and engineering principles to create practical solutions to real-world problems.

A mechanical engineering engineer could be involved in product creation, production maintenance, quality control or research and testing.

What are the jobs I can get as an engineer?

Engineers are able to find work in almost any industry, such as manufacturing, transport, energy, communications and finance.

Engineers with specializations in particular areas can often find work at companies or organizations that specialize.

You might find electrical engineers working for medical device manufacturers or telecommunications companies.

Software developers might work with websites or mobile app designers.

Tech companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple may employ computer programmers.

Do I need special qualifications to study engineering?

No. No. All that's required is a good grade in your GCSEs. Some universities may require that applicants have at least a minimum level of academic achievement to be admitted. Cambridge University for instance requires applicants to have A*-C in Maths, English Language, Science, and Maths.

You will need to complete additional courses if you do not meet the requirements.

You might also need to take additional maths/science subjects and a language course. You can learn more about these options by contacting your school guidance counselors.

Do I need a degree for engineering?

Engineers do not need a bachelor's degree. However, many employers prefer applicants with degrees. To get your degree, you can take some online classes if you don’t hold one.

What do industrial engineers do?

Industrial engineers deal with the interplay of things.

Their job is to ensure machinery, plants, factories, and factories work efficiently and safely.

They design controls and equipment to make it easier to perform tasks.

They also ensure that machines meet safety standards and comply with environmental regulations.

Statistics

8% Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems. (snhu.edu)
14% of Industrial engineers design systems that combine workers, machines, and more to create a product or service to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, according to BLS efficiently. (snhu.edu)