Annual Round Table by New Era College reveals the way forward for women in engineering
Eureka Moment Issue #8: Special Edition
Six leading women share their experiences at this invigorating event
Sponsors Lucara Botswana, First Capital Bank and Engineers Registration Board stimulate discussion around inclusion of women in STEM
Welcoming guests to its 4th Annual Women in Engineering Round Table Talks, New Era College created an open platform for debate, fellowship and inspiration.
Under the theme Enhanced by Engineering, the panelists – who led the discussion from diverse fields such as mining, financial services, information technology and renewable energy – laid out a compelling blueprint for young women to follow.
If you couldn’t join us, please enjoy these six main highlights from the day.
TALKING POINT #1:
Resist the urge to ‘man up’
Engineering is the art of problem solving. Women engineers excel in this calling when they realise that their innate feminine strengths and instincts can be leveraged to achieve powerful outcomes in the field.
Above and beyond their technical skills, women bring a host of skills to the table as engineers. Empathy, communication, attention to detail and adaptability are essential in the development of well-rounded solutions. Fact is, women often outperform their male counterparts in these areas.
‘It is vital for you to be yourself. We must stamp out the myth that female engineers need to act like men in order to succeed in this industry,’ emphasises Opelo Patella, hydrogeologist at Lucara Botswana.
TALKING POINT #2:
Embrace ongoing professional development
People who rise up the corporate ladder (or make a significant impact as business owners) do so because they keep learning. This is a powerful differentiator in any industry, but specifically in engineering which is moving forward warp speed.
‘As a woman, you must ask more of yourself,’ says Linda Moseki Letshwiti, who, among her other professional accolades, was also the first female President of Botswana Institution of Engineers.
Women who are in a constant state of learning distinguish themselves as appreciating assets in the workplace, which opens the door to faster promotions and greater on-the-job fulfilment.
TALKING POINT #3:
Build a strong professional network
Women entering the professional ranks must start building their networks from day one. A circle of trusted advisors who can provide mentorship, referrals and valuable input. These connections pay off. As the saying goes: your network is your net worth.
‘Young women must gather the confidence to introduce themselves to potential mentors and role models. Connect. Take the first step. Today you need a mentor. Tomorrow you could play that special role in someone’s life,’ says Keamogetse Mpudi, Head of Engineering Partnerships and Platform Delivery at Stanbic Bank Botswana.
TALKING POINT #4:
Maintain healthy boundaries
Any well-paid profession is mentally demanding. Engineering? Particularly so. Engineers frequently work overtime, committing themselves fully to high value projects, tight deadlines – and real-world consequences. For mothers, this presents a particular challenge.
Mental health comes into sharp focus for women. They can, at times, fall into the trap of doing too much, trapping themselves in a never ending cycle of people-pleasing, giving in to every unreasonable demand, both at work and at home.
‘Women must set and maintain reasonable boundaries. Being able to draw the line allows you to work mindfully, measure your efforts and operate in a peak mental state,’ says Charity Kiki Kennedy, Founder and Director of Institute of Energy and Technology Development.
TALKING POINT #5:
Articulate your career goals
It is easy to fall prey to the everyday routine of work, forgetting that there’s a much bigger, more compelling picture to work on. High level professionals handle their daily business while staying focused on the ultimate vision, working out clear steps of progression which they commit to, often in writing.
‘We can avoid stagnation by realising that we are in charge of our futures. Women grow in confidence by doing the work and taking on big challenges. This gives you the ability to negotiate effectively in the marketplace,’ says Debswana Engineer Resego Tsiane.
TALKING POINT #6:
Raise the next generation of engineers
Children model the behaviour they see at home. Their characters are shaped by what their parents reinforce. And when they see their mothers paving the way in male-dominated industries, they grow up with confidence, independence and belief in their own potential.
‘We can encourage girls to challenge conventional stereotypes by exposing them to a diversity of role models. We can empower them with language that inspires. We can support their interests without bias. And we can also encourage inclusive play with toys and activities that are not gender-specific,’ explains Karen Gibson, Chairperson of the Solar Industries Association of Botswana.
New Era College: your journey of academic growth and self discovery begins here
We offer a rich variety of full-time and part-time programmes. Classes start in August 2024.