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Is it beneficial to have a Women's Network?
Former Community Member
Hello,
Most people that I come across welcome the presence of the IET Women's Network and are keen to get involved. However, I occasionally meet or hear from somebody who opposes the idea.
I wish that the distinction between 'Female Engineer' and 'Engineer' wasn't required; but it is! We are still a minority group and until that changes a network like this provides access to a wider number of people from which to pool experience. Of the ~80 engineers where I work, 6 are female. Only 2 of those have a family (including me) and so the experience in resolving some family based issues is limited!
Whilst I have never experienced any overt discrimination, indeed my company were flexible in allowing me to work a 4 day week on my return from maternity leave, I believe that I have lost out on some career progression opportunities as it was assumed I wouldn't be interested with a baby at home...
I don't want to gain recognition purely as a result of some form of positive discrimination initiative, but I do love my career (and my family) and I want to open the eyes of more girls (and boys) to the wonderful world of Engineering!
So yes, a Women's Network within the IET is a good thing.
I wish that the distinction between 'Female Engineer' and 'Engineer' wasn't required; but it is! We are still a minority group and until that changes a network like this provides access to a wider number of people from which to pool experience. Of the ~80 engineers where I work, 6 are female. Only 2 of those have a family (including me) and so the experience in resolving some family based issues is limited!
Whilst I have never experienced any overt discrimination, indeed my company were flexible in allowing me to work a 4 day week on my return from maternity leave, I believe that I have lost out on some career progression opportunities as it was assumed I wouldn't be interested with a baby at home...
I don't want to gain recognition purely as a result of some form of positive discrimination initiative, but I do love my career (and my family) and I want to open the eyes of more girls (and boys) to the wonderful world of Engineering!
So yes, a Women's Network within the IET is a good thing.
