Representation of women at higher management needs to increase
Published on : Sunday 08-03-2020
What kindled your passion to opt for engineering which it came to higher studies?
I was always good in maths and sciences and had the urge to improve my skills; the desire to do something that has meaning and is important. My family comes from a background of farmers and teachers. My interest was piqued looking at course curriculum of my brother who was pursuing engineering at the time. The passion of learning new technology and the changes transpiring in the field of engineering and automation keeps me going till this day.
This is a high pressure job with no fixed working hours – how did you deal with it?
I have had sleepless nights chasing deadlines. Pressures of people’s expectations and wining the appreciation of your peers in a predominantly male dominated industry you are in. But over time you do learn how to manage expectations and keep the pressure off.
Whether working or not, a woman is also expected to run the home. Did the family support your decision?
Thankfully I have been blessed with a supportive family. My husband is in the same engineering field and he understands the expectations and the pressures that are routine in this field.
There have been times where I have stayed late, spent weekends at work and brought work stress home. The advice to leave work related stress in the office when you walk out isn’t an easy one to follow. We face many circumstances and phases where this just isn’t an option. During such times, I have prioritised work over family and friends. However, I try to make time and take breaks whenever possible and spend quality time with them.
More than just long working hours, also the travels – how was that experience?
I have had to undertake regular travels and stay away from home on various projects. In fact, right after returning from my marriage, I was required to travel for few weeks on project work. Construction sites come with a unique experience and I think every women in the field must visit a construction site.
At the beginning of my career, an experience from my first site visit is what I would like to share. I was at this plant site with one of the commissioning engineers and we had to check a flowmeter installed at a certain height accessed by ladder. I was the only woman present at that site, and all other male engineers including client engineers were kind enough to tell me not to climb to check it. But I have never liked to be treated differently and I know that I can do everything what others can do, so I just climbed and checked the meter with them. They all looked surprised and were more excited than I was. I think that first experience at site visit made me stronger in my approach towards handling situations and I think that kind of appreciation at start of career is really required.
Did you ever have second thoughts on career front, or wished you were in a different field?
The thought has never crossed my mind. Engineering gives you a range of options to explore. Ever since I have joined this field I have been busy pushing myself to learn new skills. I am very passionate about engineering and I don’t think I would have chosen any other field.
Gender bias is not unheard of, in fact it is widely prevalent. Did you face any discrimination at work?
It never happened with me so far. However, at the start of my career, when I was going through interviewing process, I did feel I wasn’t being selected because of the nature of the job and people being uncomfortable hiring a female, considering safety among other issues.
Are workplaces today more sensitive to gender issues than say, a decade ago?
I believe things are changing for the better, but there is scope for improvement. Some measures like providing a woman friendly work environment at construction sites, factories or production floor, supporting women returning from maternity leaves, etc., need to be in place.
Are there areas at work that still restrict women when it comes to leadership role?
I think representation of women at higher management needs to increase. However, having said that, let me stress it should be a deserving candidate at that position be it a man or woman.
What would be your message to the youth, your children for that matter, in career choices?
Live your dream. Do not opt for engineering or any other stream just because someone said it is a good field, career wise. Your interests and passion will keep you happy and engaged with the work, regardless of the stream, so choose wisely. The engineering field is vast, you can choose and be an expert of a field. You get to conceptualise, design and see your design turning into reality.
If you have to sum up your career in just three words, what would they be?
Spread wings & fly!
Nilima Singh plays a key role in the delivery of E&I Engineering Package engineering support for concept, front end and detailed engineering design and associate support activities for new greenfield and upgrading of brownfield projects for oil and gas and hydrocarbon process facilities. Day to day responsibilities include preparation of various design documents and drawings, engineering for control system such as PCS and SIS, liaise with various stakeholders client, consultant, suppliers and ensure safety and statutory regulation requirements are met.
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