Engineering your career support network

In the seventh grade I won a soft drink for being first in my math class in the first semester. Even though it was a pretty small accolade, I am still quite proud of the achievement and still remember it! It was one of my earliest experiences feeling inspired by math and science. Other memories like watching my mom fixing an electric outlet and playing math games and puzzles with my 5th grade teacher remind me just how long I have loved this subject area.

When I got older, my love for math and science never wavered, even when I realized that I was going to be a minority in the field. When I entered university in Hong Kong in 1999 and picked electrical engineering, there were only 4 women in our class of 50 people, and there wasn’t a single female professor in the program. When I spent the summers interning in Montreal, Canada there was only one female engineer in the same department as me. 

Since entering the workforce fifteen years ago, I have seen more women joining the utility industry—but it hasn’t been a seamless transition. I have personally felt at times that it was harder to earn my male colleagues’ respect as a female engineer, and that I had to make an extra effort to prove my capabilities to mostly male leadership.

While those experiences with gender disparities were disheartening, I consider myself lucky because throughout my career I have been supported by a close network of mentors and allies who have given me guidance and helped me navigate my career. That’s why I’m so passionate about working with the next generation of engineers, specifically young women, so that I can give back and help others the same way my mentors helped me.

As it is Women’s History Month, I wanted to close out the month by sharing a few lessons and tips I’ve realized have helped me get where I am today and that I hope will help the next generation of women in STEM succeed in their careers as well: 

1. Build a network of trusted allies, mentors, and sponsors

I think it’s important to look for more than just one mentor, because everyone has different perspectives and life experiences. It’s good to have a diverse group of supporters to help you navigate different situations, not just one person. 

2. Don’t wait for a mentor to come to you 

If you want someone’s support, go and ask for it! A lot of times, people will say yes. There’s no reason to be shy. If you want something, go for it and be assertive!

3. It’s never too early to offer help to others on their journeys 

Taking stock of my career and looking back at how I got to where I am today has been a great personal exercise, and it has made me realize that no matter where you are in your career, there is likely someone in your network or community who could benefit from your perspective and support. It has reminded me about how important volunteering can be, whether it’s through mentorship or supporting organizations that help others achieve their potential, especially women in STEM. 

It is my hope that as this Women’s History Month comes to an end, everyone can take a moment to consider the ways they have been built up by others to succeed. Which teachers made you feel passionate and capable? Which mentors supported you when you felt lost? Now that you are where you are, how can you help give back to those who are just getting started? I hope we can all get in the habit of paying it forward, no matter what month it is, to support each other in our chosen fields.