Together, we need to break down the barriers to women reaching leadership roles in the electronics industry. Often, what you see, what you hear, how you are made to feel, can be looked at as inputs to an impressionable mind and what you say, what you become are the results.
By Aishwarya Patwardhan, Application Engineer, Current Collector Systems, ENNOVI
In short, to have an inclination or even an interest in technical subjects, young girls need to know stories of other young girls who did it before them.
Women in STEM, need to be celebrated. Women in power – in key roles and positions – are not only there because of their great qualities and abilities; they are there despite all the challenges they faced, all the difficulties they overcame, and the decisions they took to uplift themselves and each other.
Stories of women start with stories of girls. It is important to identify and encourage interest in STEM at a young and impressionable age. Women of this generation need to understand that “The way I shape my career is not only important for me, but it is a tool to send a message to the next generation that there is an opportunity, prepare yourself and grab it!”. Representation of women in STEM will first inspire and then provoke an aspirational quality in the minds of young girls.
A seat at the table
Being a mechanical engineer, there have been many meeting rooms where I was the only female in the technical discussions. Lack of diversity affects the dynamics of the room at a personal and cultural level. Tech products and services are used globally, and a diverse workforce helps create products that are inclusive and cater to different demographics.
Unconscious bias, in particular gender bias, is common and normalised not only in the tech industry but in our day-to-day lives. Women are regularly at the receiving end when these biases question their technical skills and leadership qualities. For women, these biases have the potential to affect mental health if they lead to a feeling of imposter syndrome; the feeling of self-doubt that can affect a persons’ confidence and performance. It becomes a domino effect.
Finding your fit
I have been with ENNOVI since May 2023. My attraction to the company was its forward-thinking approach to innovation, commitment to advancing e-mobility, and creating a greener future. My first goal when joining the company was to be a proactive member of the product development team, supporting e-mobility customers in technologically advanced battery design. After all, better engineered ENNOVI products mean more efficient EV options for our customers and enhanced end-user experiences – a win-win for everyone.
I keep abreast of the latest advancements, trends and government policies within the e-mobility sector by attending various exhibitions and conferences. I also read numerous scientific and engineering journals, and discuss different topics with my colleagues to build rapport and foster a positive and inclusive working environment. Throughout my life, I have found that clear communication skills, persistence, and going beyond your job description are qualities that play an essential role in career advancement. I ensure that I put my points across firmly while remaining open to constructive ideas, which helps me execute technically challenging projects effectively.
Understanding the general features of the product and identifying gaps to enhance the product usability helps our team create innovative design options. Of course, this goes hand in hand with possessing strong design experience and product knowledge while remaining unencumbered by past constraints and open to exploring innovative options. Our team was able to design and develop a pouch cell battery interconnect solution to fill the current market gap.
Passion makes for perseverance
To conclude, being able to enjoy what you do is vital to achieve success. Always keep an open mind when receiving both compliments and criticism. But remember, representation is passive encouragement, mentorship is an active encouragement and engagement practice. I was fortunate enough to meet amazing women growing up and very early on in my career, who were strong, confident, and independent. Guiding young professionals can help in professional development and career growth. Advocating for inclusive policies, joining women-in-tech organisations, and fostering allyship within teams can drive change. Companies can foster leadership development programmes, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities to elevate women into leadership.
