Our generation and society has accepted women as leaders
Published on : Sunday 08-03-2020
What was the inspiration that prompted you to pursue a career in engineering?
My father is a mechanical engineer and mother a teacher, though in her case she did not pursue her career much longer. Since childhood we have been taught to do things – even the household chores – by our own hands, experimenting and understanding the logic in everything, which kindled in me the interest in engineering. Later while studying for the entrance examinations I developed an affinity towards Benzene Ring (Organic Chemistry) so decided to pursue a career in Chemical Engineering, and my parents well supported my interest.
Family support for a career woman is important as the home too needs attention?
I am blessed to have a family who supports me in pursuing my career. I am lucky to have supportive spouse and in-laws who always back me with positive energy that made me continue to work for nearly 12 years now.
The engineering industry has no regular or fixed working hours, plus there is travel. How difficult was this aspect to handle?
I never faced any challenge in travelling or working in shifts in chemical plants before we had a child, but yes, after the birth of our child it was sometimes tricky and even a panic situation, which lasted for about 3-4 years. As mentioned earlier, I could manage with the wholehearted support from the family. Now that he is grown up, it is easier to manage, the family once again being very helpful.
Was there a phase in your career when you thought to give it up and do something else, or consider alternatives?
No, not exactly! But when I got the chance to work in automation of the refinery working with Reliance Industries Limited, I grabbed it and worked to become proficient in it. Later I got the opportunity from Haldor Topsoe to work in the field of automation, so have now switched my career towards my interest, something that is dear to me.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity of promotion due to the gender?
Well, I have always believed that if sometimes I missed some opportunity, there must be some room for improvement, and I set my new path and direction to work upon it.
Are workplaces today more sensitive to gender issues than say, a decade ago?
In my view, since a decade that I started working, more opportunities have opened up for women at workplaces. We have now more of gender diverse teams working in most of the organisations, and sometimes I even see recruitment drives launched only for women. Over the last decade women have grown more independent, have reached higher levels in education and career growth. Today women have even entered the fields which were once totally male dominated – like flying fighter jets in the Indian Air Force. Our generation may be facing some challenges and hardships, but we are setting new direction and clearing the path for our future generations.
When it comes to leadership roles, do women face some sort of bias or discrimination?
Women are growing as leaders in each sphere. Women are Team-Leads, Project-Leads, Department Leads, Company Leads and even leaders in families. Our generation and society has accepted women as leaders and I feel sooner we have India where women are respected for their work and not only in temples.
What would be your message to the youth, your children for that matter, in career choices?
A small message which I follow myself – Focus on your strengths and choose your career which utilises your strengths, because dedication comes when you live your dreams. I know we still hold a conservative approach about women, but the new generation is changing. Remember we have proven ourselves, now so do not look behind, but continue the forward march and break your mental boundaries, or whatever that still remain.
If asked to sum up your life and career in just three words, what would they be?
I would just write Struggling, Supportive and Belief as the 3 keywords for my life and career till now. To elaborate upon this, I had a struggling career, lots of lows and highs, but support from the family and the belief in my strengths and positive powers all around helped me overcome challenges. I always hold a very optimistic approach, though hurdles that come across and it shatters my confidence in things at times. But again, due to my teachings and upbringing in such a manner I regain the strength, rebuild the confidence, set-up new direction and sometimes new approach and then I notice, it is mostly a success!
Pragya Agarwal, a graduate in Chemical Engineering, 2007 batch from UP Technical University, is currently working as Senior Engineer in Haldor Topsoe India Pvt Ltd. Pragya is with the Smart Engineering Department focusing in automating the industry with Industry 4.0 principles. She has a work experience of 12 years with the Petrochemicals and Refining Industries, EPC and licensing organisations. On the personal front, Pragya is married for 9 years and blessed with a son who is now 6 years young.
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