Breaking barriers: Women in engineering
7 March 2023
by the Monash Women in Engineering (MWE) Club
Clubs and Societies
In conjunction with International Women’s Day and this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity, we brought in the Monash Women in Engineering (MWE) Club to share their perspectives and experiences in the engineering industry.
The MWE Club was established in August 2018 to create a community among female engineering students at Monash University Malaysia. Membership is open to all female engineering students of Monash University Malaysia, and the club is voluntary. The club encourages young ladies to pursue careers in engineering and aspires to build its members' confidence and soft skills through programs and activities organised by the club.
The (MWE) Club has close to 80 members, with ongoing efforts to recruit more members. The club continues to provide a platform for networking, discussing issues faced by female engineering students and women engineers in the industry, exposing members to diverse opportunities available in STEM fields and creating a supportive community for female engineering students at Monash University Malaysia.
How do you encourage more women to pursue engineering?
Encouraging more women to pursue engineering can be achieved through various initiatives, including providing opportunities for young girls to explore engineering through STEM programs in schools. It is important to create awareness among young women about the opportunities available in engineering and the positive impact that engineers can have on society. We use success stories of other successful female engineers to motivate women to pursue a career in engineering. Highlighting the diverse range of career paths in engineering can also attract a wider range of candidates.
Why do you choose engineering? Any challenges as a woman?
Many women choose engineering because we are passionate about problem-solving and making a difference. Engineering is a field that offers an opportunity to contribute to society by designing, building, and improving technology and infrastructure.
However, we have faced challenges that our male peers may not have encountered. There is still a significant gender gap in engineering, and women are often under-represented. This can lead to isolation and a lack of confidence, especially in male-dominated environments.
Gender stereotypes and biases can also be a barrier for women in engineering. Some people may assume that women are less competent than men in maths and science or that they are better suited for other professions. These assumptions can affect how women are perceived by their peers and colleagues, making it more difficult to advance in their careers.
Despite these challenges, many women have overcome these obstacles and made significant contributions to the engineering field. As more women continue to pursue careers in STEM, there is hope for a more diverse and inclusive engineering community in the future.
The important piece of advice for young women thinking about their careers
Choosing a career path that aligns with their passion and interest irrespective of society's expectations and stereotypes and not being afraid to explore different options and take risks.
#EmbraceEquity in your own words
Embracing equity, in our perspective, means the fair and impartial treatment of all. This includes gender, race, and sexuality. The individual bias of these perspectives influences many factors in a young mind. We embrace equality and differences in each other and we learn and support each other. MWE is a club that strives to bring equity among young women engineers by empowering our community while educating and celebrating each other.
At Monash University Malaysia, we support bright young women who wish to study engineering. If you intend to pursue an undergraduate degree at Monash in engineering, you may be eligible for the Female in Engineering Scholarship. So why wait? Start your journey today by enrolling in one of our engineering courses!