WHERE ARE THE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING?

By Sofia Oural Martinez

In one of the most gendered professions in the world, is progress being made? While male domination of the industry is still blatant, women are pushing harder and harder to have a space of their own.

Engineering students are second only to medicine students in securing full-time jobs and competitive salaries. Engineering in all its forms is vital for society to function, and highly respected as a key profession. And yet, the number of women working in the sector remains desperately low. Out of all the engineers in the United Kingdom, women make up only 12.3%, holding one in five of jobs in the engineering sector as a whole. 

Attracting women (and retaining them) in the sector is vital for economic growth and financial stability. The world is suffering from an alarming shortage of engineers – surveys show 40% of companies expect the current struggle to fill positions with competent candidates to worsen in the future. In the case of women, many argue this shortage is partially due to a “leaky pipeline” phenomenon: the idea that despite interest and ability, women often fail to continue their progress in their engineering careers. 

The truth is potential engineers are lost in every stage of life. From a young age, children are made to understand that engineering is all about construction, fixing broken things, and getting your hands dirty, which does not appeal to girls if they are made to believe they should be quiet, neat, and tidy. 

These messages directly dissuade girls from studying engineering-related subjects. Of girls aged 11-14, 46.4% would consider a career in engineering. But this number drops dramatically to 25.4% among girls aged 16-18, compared to 51.9% of boys in the same age group. Girls need to know that engineers are at the forefront of designing creative solutions to world problems, and that they themselves can be the ones to create that solution.

Yet, girls who do pursue engineering outperform their male counterparts: in almost every STEM A-level, girls get A*- C grades more often than boys. Almost 80% of female engineering students achieve a first or upper second-class degree, compared to 74.6% of male students.

Nonetheless, efforts to encourage women to pursue engineering careers are achieving some success, although slowly. The percentage of female engineers is undoubtedly low at 12%, but it is up from only 2% in 2015. The pay gap for first salaries after graduation is 1.19%, way lower than the average pay gap of 8.6%. Satisfaction is high, with more than 80% of female engineers being either “happy” or “extremely happy” with their career choice, and 98% find their job to be rewarding.

One crucial aspect driving the shift toward gender diversity in engineering is the increasing visibility and support for women-led initiatives. Some organizations, both within the engineering sector and across industries, are making a concerted effort to create pathways for women to enter and thrive in engineering roles. Programs that offer mentorship, scholarships, and networking opportunities are gaining traction, providing women with the resources and connections they need to succeed. Industry conferences and events dedicated to celebrating women in engineering are also playing a significant role in reshaping perceptions. These platforms not only highlight the achievements of women engineers but also serve as a source of encouragement for those considering the field. In a supportive ecosystem, these initiatives help to build a culture where women feel valued and empowered to pursue careers in engineering without the barriers that once held them back.

The image of the engineering is changing, and that is no small feat. It is no longer just the men in yellow construction hats and reflective vests. It has now become a career open to a diverse group of people in varied environments. More and more women are coming into the sector, and it creates a cycle where girls finally find relevant role models who are living their dreams, ad they can see that they can make it there too. Ongoing activism and pressure from young generations undoubtedly predict positive change for the entire industry. The road is long, and much work needs to be done, but we know it is not impossible. Women want a place in engineering, women fight for a place in engineering, women have a place in engineering.

References:

“98% of Female Engineers Find Job Rewarding, Survey Reveals.” Process and Control Today, 10 Sept. 2013, http://www.pandct.com/news/98-of-female-engineers-find-job-rewarding-survey-reveals/. 

Calhoun, Linda, et al. “Leaky Pipelines or Broken Scaffolding? Supporting Women’s Leadership in STEM.” Stanford Social Innovation Review, 1 June 2022, ssir.org/articles/entry/leaky_pipelines_or_broken_scaffolding_supporting_womens_leadership_in_stem. 

Engelhardt, Annika. “Shortage of Skilled Workers in Mechanical Engineering.” Encoway, 21 July 2023, http://www.encoway.de/en/blog/skilled-worker-shortage-in-machine-building/. 

Jubbal, Kevin. “Doctor vs. Engineer – a Financial Analysis.” Med School Insiders, 12 Sept. 2022, medschoolinsiders.com/pre-med/doctor-vs-engineer-finances/. 

Scrimgeour, Heidi. “How Changing Attitudes Are Closing the Gender Gap in Engineering.” The Guardian, 26 June 2019, http://www.theguardian.com/careers/2019/jun/26/how-changing-attitudes-are-closing-the-gender-gap-in-engineering. 

“Useful Statistics.” Women’s Engineering Society, archive.wes.org.uk/content/wesstatistics. Accessed 2024. 

White, Nicola J. “Gender Pay Gap in the UK: 2023.” Office for National Statistics, 1 Nov. 2023, http://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/genderpaygapintheuk/2023. 

“Women in Engineering: Trends in Women in the Engineering Workforce between 2010 and 2021.” Engineering UK, 2022, http://www.engineeringuk.com/media/318036/women-in-engineering-report-extended-analysis-engineeringuk-march-2022.pdf.