EARLIER THIS WEEK I attended a debate about equality and diversity in Engineering, in honour of the first female to graduate from Engineering in Ireland and the UK. This gave me some time to reflect on how and why I am a professor of Biomedical Engineering.
I come from a family of engineers and scientists, which greatly influenced me, mostly because I was never given the impression that I couldn’t do something. In Leaving Cert I wanted to be a physiotherapist, because I liked sport and the CAO points were high.
However my uncle, my father and brother (all engineers) and my career guidance counsellor, each convinced me that my favourite subjects, Maths and Physics, were well matched to studying Mechanical Engineering.
I’ve never looked back
I had never been interested in machines and, having attended an all-girls school, had never studied Applied Maths or Engineering drawing, subjects that are typically offered in boys schools.
But I took their advice, and since the first week of university I have never looked back. I obtained a 1st class honours undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from NUI Galway and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Trinity College Dublin.
Through the past twelve years of my career I have taught hundreds of undergraduate and masters students of Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway.
This have given me a unique perspective about the differences between female and male engineers.
Female students tend to be super conscientious
Biomedical Engineering has the highest proportion of female students of any Engineering discipline, which is typically around 50%. The female students tend to be extremely conscientious, rarely miss lectures or deadlines, are excellent at written reports and presentations.
On the other hand they are overly cautious and don’t put themselves forward unless they are certain they are fully competent.
Many male students arrive with a strong technical foundation and have the confidence to take on challenging tasks and innovate. However their report writing, presentation and overall diligence often needs to be developed. These differences however do not influence their chances of success, our female students often top the class.
Interestingly, by the end of the four years of the influence of each mindset permeates, the courage to innovate develops in the females and the males foster attention to detail and meet deadlines.
Respect and nurture these natural differences
I believe it is important that we respect and nurture these natural differences between men and women. The influence of children’s toys on career choices is topical. One argument that is often raised is the influence of children’s toys on career choices, a particular example being the “pink” Lego friends.
Possibly because I am a female engineer, this really doesn’t bother me. I have a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son, and my husband is a computer engineer.
Like most new parents, we thought our daughter was destined to be the next Leonardo da Vinci (yes he was an engineer) when she showed an interest in the lever mechanism of her bouncer at six months.
We gave her wooden cars and trains, which she plays with sometimes, but since the age of around two she has been naturally interested in feeding dolls and wearing princess dresses. I don’t worry that this will negatively influence her future choices, because it didn’t influence mine.
My son walks around with two trucks in his hand at all times, even though the house he was born into had already between hit with a pink stick. So I believe that pink Lego is better than no Lego and I think that the most important aspect to focus on is giving children the knowledge and confidence to pursue their interests.
Natural differences and interests of women and men
I believe the natural differences and interests of women and men is a key factor in why women are embracing Biomedical Engineering worldwide. The close links to medicine mean that Biomedical Engineering taps into women’s natural desire to help others.
I have had many supportive male mentors and colleagues. Fortunately I have never felt any significant barriers due to my gender, but I have had many knocks, and it’s been very hard work, particularly once my children arrived. I was elated when I was promoted to professor last year, the recognition was so very important to me.
The two principles of success in Engineering was nicely put by a male CEO of a medical device company this week as “We can do it” and “We are all in this together”.
If we work on fostering these attitudes in young women, and men, I have no doubt that we will encourage more and more bright young women to choose this fantastic career.
Professor Laoise McNamara is a professor in Biomedical Engineering at NUIG.
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