If you take a stroll down the doll aisle nowadays, you’ll see all kinds of professions — doctor, construction worker, even an astronaut. Yet in the real world, while women have been making headway when it comes to representation in STEM fields, they still have a ways to go.
According to the U.S. Census, “In 1970, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers. By 2019, the STEM proportion had increased to 27% and women made up 48% of all workers.” The numbers shrink further when you consider women of color.
We’re celebrating June’s International Women in Engineering Day by recognizing some of the incredible women making advances in the field — whether they’re a business sector expert helping push for innovation or a certified rocket scientist planning the next space mission. Hear the women in their own words from RS’s Ask the Expert series and DesignSpark’s Badass Engineers video series, hosted by Shrouk El-Attar, MEng. Want even more? Check out RS’s Expert Advice blog and the rest of the Badass Engineers episodes.
Yewande Akinola MBE FIET
Principal Engineer, Professor, TV Presenter
Yewande talks about being a female principal engineer and her journey so far — plus meeting the queen.
“It takes courage within yourself to decide to take a different direction.”
Goda Inokaityte
Senior Product Specialist at HARTING
Navigating the Complex Connector Market
Goda analyzes recent industry trends that have influenced the needs of their customers and their own product designs.
“Knowing how everything worked was always a big interest of mine, and I just naturally was drawn to the field — I always felt that electronic applications we surround ourselves with lay the foundations of our society.”
Marie Dawson
Product Director at RS
Best Practices in Supplier Selection
Marie provides astute insights into some best practices in the supplier selection process, as well as the role distributors play in the supply chain.
“What I love so much about product management is that it really does influence all parts of the customer journey. … Getting to see our work translate into success for our supplier brands is a lot of fun!”
Sylvia Feng
Product Line Manager at Belden, Inc.
Future-Proofing Your Ethernet Connection
Sylvia covers topics ranging from the defining features of the current industrial age to how Ethernet technologies are evolving to meet the higher demands of today’s applications.
“I see data transmission as the central nervous system for various industrial verticals. There will be disruption in this industry.”
Bianca Cefalo
Director, International Business Development at Carbice Corporation
Bianca talks about becoming a rocket scientist, her workplace philosophy and the startup world.
“You can’t expect me to fit into a mold… which I have broken since I was born. It’s not going to happen.”
Mariam Coladonato
Lead Product Marketing Specialist for Phoenix Contact
Mariam explains Phoenix Contact’s mGuard technology – which allows remote access to installed components for automation and control. It represents a whole new dimension for plant automation, maintenance, and control: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
“Even though the potential for cloud technology seems to be increasing, we must weigh the risks, such as loss of production and machine safety, before any implementation.”
Kristen Facciol
Robotics Flight Controller for Canadian Space Agency
Kristen discusses aeronautics, flying robots on the space station, and advancing space exploration.
“I’ve gotten comfortable with the notion of being uncomfortable. I find that pushing yourself beyond your limits and taking on challenges that scare you a little bit are really the only way that we’re able to grow and learn and adapt to new situations.”
Pamela Davis
Senior Customer Marketing Specialist, Honeywell Corporation
Ask the Expert: How Will Evolving Robotics Drive Demand for Automation in Manufacturing?
Pamela tackles trends in robotic technology, which is slated to increase by 12% year over year, with approximately 45% of manufacturing tasks using robotics by 2025.
“We provide reliability, precision and security to our customers by creating quality switches and sensors designed to perform in these applications. … Building on the strength of our past expertise, we keep focused on the future.”
Ying Wan Loh
Mechanical Engineer, the Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2019, Forbes 30 under 30
Ying talks about her experiences with inclusion, shares her journey so far, and which engineer she thinks would win in a fight: mechanical or electrical.
“I’m so passionate about diversity and inclusion…trying to make sure that everyone is included in the workplace, not just be there as a token, but that you genuinely don’t need to change yourself to fit in.”
Ruth Amos
Inventor, Managing Director at Stairsteady and Director of Kids Invent Stuff
Ruth shares what it’s like to win an engineering award when she didn’t even consider herself an “engineer”, plus advice for those just getting started.
“Go big or go home. … Try lots of things to find that place that sparks your joy and your happiness and you’re passionate about because the great thing about engineering is there are a lot of opportunities.”
