Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: The Role of Women in Engineering

In the traditionally male-dominated engineering field, women continue to make strides, breaking barriers and building successful careers. Engineering consulting firms and other technical industries are seeing more women in leadership roles, project management and technical positions. Women bring unique perspectives, enhance problem-solving capabilities, and are key contributors to the discipline.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

Women often face challenges when entering the engineering world, and these can start as early as their first job. Melissa Tiedemann, business development manager and senior environmental planner at Stanley Consultants, who has over 20 years of experience in the industry, reflected on this during a recent podcast with the Engineering Management Institute. She discussed how biases, sometimes unconscious, can undermine women's expertise. Melissa recalled, "I would get to the service counter to meet with a person from the public...and they would say, no, no, I don't need the secretary, I need a planner. And I would say, well, I am a planner." Despite the evolving shift in perceptions, such experiences demonstrate that many women still face assumptions that their roles are non-technical.

However, these challenges have not deterred women from thriving in their roles. Melissa's journey is a testament to the resilience of women in the industry. She emphasized how, over time, she felt accepted and valued, stating that the bias she faced earlier in her career faded. This evolution is important, as it highlights the industry's progress in fostering a more inclusive environment.

The Power of Mentorship and Professional Growth

For many women, mentorship plays a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of an engineering career. Kate Despinoy, vice president and water market leader at Stanley, with over 16 years of experience, shared how mentorship was important for her development. "It's very important to seek out mentors throughout your career because you never stop learning," she said. Mentors provided her with guidance in technical areas and managerial and business development, helping to boost her confidence and career longevity.

Kate also underscored the importance of professional societies in fostering mentorship opportunities. She recommended joining organizations dedicated to one's engineering field that offer leadership development opportunities and exposure to industry innovations. For younger women engineers, these organizations serve as platforms for networking and learning, empowering them to step confidently into leadership roles.

Leadership and the Value of Diverse Perspectives

As women advance in their careers, they bring a fresh perspective to leadership roles. Sarah Zarzecki, transportation design department manager and Colorado transportation leader at Stanley, with two decades of experience, highlighted how diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving in engineering projects. "Providing the best solutions for our clients is our key goal in engineering consulting...bringing more viewpoints helps us bring more innovation. It also reduces blind spots," Sarah explained.

Sarah's leadership style has evolved to blend empathy and communication, understanding that collaboration among different team members is important to addressing complex engineering challenges. This approach leads to more successful project outcomes and nurtures a supportive work environment where everyone's ideas are valued.

Contributions Beyond Engineering

Women in engineering consulting roles can bring skill sets that extend beyond technical design. Although not an engineer by training, Melissa Tiedemann has carved a niche for herself in environmental planning and business development. Over her 20-year career, Melissa has helped clients secure funding for Brownfield redevelopment projects, making a tangible impact on communities. She also works on federal compliance projects, helping to ensure environmental regulations are met. Her ability to wear multiple hats has made her an integral part of complex projects.

These non-engineering roles are critical in today's engineering firms, where multidisciplinary teams work together to achieve project goals. As Melissa pointed out, "It takes all these different team members working on their own tasks but doing so collectively...so that the schedule keeps moving forward because clients don't like it when their project stops".

Looking Forward: Advice for Future Women Engineers

For young women considering a career in engineering, seasoned professionals emphasize the importance of gaining exposure to various opportunities within the field. Sarah encouraged women to seek internships, job shadows or even informal mentorships to understand the day-to-day realities of engineering. "Get exposure. There are so many different types of STEM outreach and enrichment activities now. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to those already working in their discipline." she said, emphasizing that the industry is more than willing to support the next generation of engineers.

As the field of engineering evolves, it is essential to continue fostering a workplace culture where women are not just present, but valued. The industry is becoming more dynamic and innovative, with diverse teams and women stepping into leadership roles. Empowering women to lead and shape the future of engineering is vital to driving the profession forward.

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These stories from Kate, Sarah and Melissa are just a few examples of how Stanley Consultants supports and celebrates women in engineering. We're dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Join us at Stanley Consultants, where we engineer solutions and champion women who lead and innovate in the industry. For more insights into our work culture and projects, connect with us on LinkedIn today!