To celebrate Engineering and Geoscience Month in March 2018, APEGS’s 30 by 30 Task Force partnered with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina for two celebratory events. Both were a hit with students, as APEGS connected with its members of the future to provide some insight into what professional life after graduation has in store.
March 19, 2018 – University Club at the University of Saskatchewan
The Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development, the College of Engineering and APEGS’s Student Development Committee recently teamed up to pilot a women’s mentorship luncheon. The focus of this event was providing an opportunity for university students in engineering and geoscience to speak in small groups with professionals in their fields, specifically on the topic of what it is to be a woman in our industry. By providing these networking opportunities, we hope to increase dialogue about, and awareness of, the barriers that exist for both current and future women in our professions, and build on the discussion of how we can all support each other to overcome them.
This luncheon was a pilot event, which we hope to expand as part of APEGS’s 30 by 30 goal to raise the portion of newly licensed engineers and geoscientists who are women to 30 per cent by 2030.
The event, held on March 19, was attended by 12 professionals and 20 students. APEGS would like to thank all of the volunteers and attendees who donated their lunchtimes to help make this a successful event. We would also like to thank all of those who helped behind the scenes in the initiation and planning of this event. We look forward to building on the success of this luncheon and hope to expand to future events in both Regina and Saskatoon.
– Greg Godwin, P.Eng.
March 27, 2018 – Innovation Place at the University of Regina
Moderated by third-year industrial systems engineering student Kaylee Hayko, a panel of women engineers, ranging from recently graduated (Nicole Gienow-Barber, Engineer-In-Training), to early to mid-career (Gina Escanlar, P.Eng.), to mid- to near-end career (Tina Maki, P.Eng.) to end of career (Patti Kindred, P.Eng.), all of whom were graduates from the University of Regina, provided their insight and experience related to being a woman engineer in a male-dominated profession. The well-attended event was hosted at the University of Regina on Thursday evening, March 27. The panel unanimously agreed that the value of mentoring and role models was one of the key aspects of “What Every Woman Needs to Know to Succeed in Engineering.”
The work environment often creates an atmosphere where self-doubt can occur, and the panelists encouraged women to speak up and to simply ask questions. Being interested in learning and asking questions was the key component to being able to succeed in the workplace. Everyone has biases, and overcoming these requires one to ask challenging questions. Having grit and persevering were key attributes that the panelists viewed as providing them with the ability to continue in the engineering and geoscience professions. Often informal conversation is what helps to establish the networks needed for success. These networks are not only with women but also with male colleagues.
As engineers continue to develop new materials and technologies leading to 3D printing, along with integrating software and artificial intelligence, the results will change testing, prototyping, production and manufacturing. Questions of sustainability and social consciousness must be vigorously integrated into engineering. Women are particularly well-equipped to meet such challenges of conscience. After all, physiologically women have been equipped with the ultimate 3D printers, being able to create new life. Women can achieve success with their ability to balance life as an engineer, mom, wife and community-engaged individual.
The APEGS 30 by 30 Task Force provided 17 students with the book What I Wish I Knew When I was Twenty by Dr. Tina Seelig, to provide additional insight into career success.
– Dr. Denise Stilling, P.Eng.