International Women in Engineering Day

We received excellent writeups on the occasion of International Women in Engineering Day, some of which we could not carry in our June 23 edition. Here are some more.Neha Wani | LEADER, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT ENGINEERING, BOEINGIt was a long path that led me to engineering. I graduated as an electronics and telecommunications engineer and was among the few to secure a role in a core engineering domain. I was always excited to design circuits and it paved the way for me to be the youngest first-line manager among my peers. There were moments when, instead of me, my male peers were selected for assignments like rig testing and supplier visits, for reasons I couldn’t comprehend, despite the efforts I had put in. But those preconceived notions about men and women having different abilities, perceptions, and situational setbacks were never a deterrent to what I wanted to achieve and for where I am today. I stood up for myself and for my peers as needed, I strengthened my skill sets, and undertook leadership and technical training. From being a first-line manager to becoming a leader in the organisation managing large engineering teams today, I believe that everything comes with its fair share of opportunities and challenges. To all women engineers, as in skydiving, challenge your own limits, be the one to dive into situations that most people will shy away from, and transform those into opportunities.Roopa Hungund | VP, PRODUCT & ENGINEERING, PUBLICIS SAPIENTGrowing up, I excelled in science and art. I saw science in art and vice versa. Being scientific and artfully transformational constitutes the ethos of engineering. Those intersecting principles drew me to engineering, leading to making it a lifelong career. Technology is a frontier that is meant to be broken into, repeatedly. That is what engineering founding principles hone you towards. Engineering has been a transformative and inspiring journey for me, and I firmly believe it holds the same potential for other women. The satisfaction from pushing beyond comfort zones, exploring new frontiers, and embracing challenges is immeasurable. Constantly challenging the familiar technology tropes and bringing in lateral perspectives has led me towards iterations of innovations and creating value consistently. This “learning on a continuum” iterative process helps us discover our true capabilities and unleash our potential. Creating an environment that encourages women to pursue their desired careers is the key, and it requires both systemic changes and personal empowerment.Anahita Varma | CORPORATE SVP, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, WNSSince I come from a family of engineers, pursuing engineering was an obvious choice. And I am glad I made that choice – it has enabled me to harness the power of engineering knowledge to drive impact in the technology sector. Reflecting on my nearly three-decades-long journey in the technology industry, I am amazed by how technology and women’s participation in the sector have evolved. As the field of engineering has matured over the years, so did the opportunities for women. The pace is slower than desired, but the change is evident. Exciting times lie ahead as emerging technologies like generative AI and augmented reality take centre-stage. The boundaries of what we can achieve with technology will expand exponentially. I am confident that the next generation of women in the field of engineering and technology will lead in shaping our digital-first future. My advice to them is to follow their passion and fearlessly pursue engineering.