Being a Woman Engineer

Last night I worked on essays about Women Engineer. Actually, I applied a forum called Women Engineer Unilever Leadership Forum for Indonesian organized by Unilever x WomEng.org  I found this information from Line Group and I feel that I capable to be one of the candidates and why not to try? It doesn't matter if I am not selected, I just like the questions they're given in the application form and I want to repost my application form here. So you can read my opinion about being Woman Engineer as well. Okay thank you, happy reading! :)

Why did you choose to study an engineering-related degree ?

I love math and science especially physics when I was in high school. So that, I was looking for a study that provides me into the practical field and also feeds my curiosity to understand how things work in scientific ways. I am an avid reader and a dreamer, but at the same time I love the security and clarity of science. My parents wanted me to take medicine at the beginning, but I knew that I was not into it. So I decided to choose taking an engineering degree.

Engineering is the field that solves the most impactful of our problems in the world and has the direct impact to the communities, like creating clean energy, detecting cancer, building bridges and so on. I enjoy seeing the first-hand what the engineers are doing, seeing the particular part is going to be used in a space, that one is going to be used to bring clean water to people in the density of desert areas. They are constantly changing the world with inventions and solutions that affect everyone’s lives. Engineers are like the wizards of our society, everyone wants them to fix their problems, and no one is quite sure how they came up with the solution.

I thought that being an engineer is fun because I get to use magic to create things every day. Civil engineering is the best choice for me and it gave me many satisfactions. I realize that this field builds something for people to use for years to come. And when you’re really engrossed in something which you know will make a huge difference to hundreds of thousands of people’s lives for many years to come, I think going off to study can never be anything less than exciting. 

Please describe your future career aspirations and your ideal employer.

I really passionate to do volunteering, almost in my whole-life-college is filled by voluntary activities. And in my way to do that, I've seen many problems in basic human needs that I believe I can provide the solutions which concern towards the problems of clean water and sanitation. Problems ranging from the processing of water resources to the problems of the household wastewater disposal. According to the United Nations, 63 million Indonesian people do not have an access to toilet so they still doing open defecation (BAB) in rivers, lake, and even sea. 

I think this is an important issue that needs to be resolved because it relates to the basic needs and healthy living. One of the personal reasons is I want to learn that the goodwill and having concern is not enough, I need to develop my self further in terms of science, intellectual power, and mastery of technology so that I can implement in an optimal contribution. I want to be a part of solutions in the field of clean water and sanitation problems in my country. I hope that one day I can see Indonesia public health increasing and no more children who are sick with pneumonia or diarrhea just because of the difficulty of access to clean water and sanitation.

My ideal employer is the one who values women engineers in the workplace, it’s mean that they also have a voice and want to feel heard and respected. Bringing women into the workforce is not just about plugging the skills gap. It’s about bringing a more diverse workforce where people can be confident expressing their ideas. It’s about how a more diverse workforce equals a more productive one. 

And also there is an emphasis on work-life-balance, women engineers tend to work hard and willing to put in the hours necessary to achieve the company goals but they do have a family too. I think that they are happier in a work environment where they can work hard, be rewarded and also have the flexible hours to have a life outside of the office. It is my belief that when woman work in an environment that allows them to feel valued, work hard yet have balance and offers opportunities to advance, they can represent the significant competitive advantage.  

Why would you like to participate in the WomEng-Unilever Leadership Program ?

I want to be a part of a movement toward equality and opportunity for women in engineering. A leadership program that provides the resources I need whether I am beginning, resuming, or building my future career. I want to broaden my network, meet as many people as I can who have similar passion in the field of engineering and technology. So that we can share our visions and our missions to make a difference in society. Facing the global issues with the kind of new board-minded, diversity of perspective, and creative solutions also collaborate and make the better world in terms of technology.

And also I want to see by myself that by having more woman an engineering and technology industry will have the stronger community, make more varied, innovative, and gender inclusive products and better serve our world as a hope.

What would you like to learn the most during the WomEng-Unilever Leadership Program?

I want to learn more about practical problems in real life as women engineer with the mentors. Because I know that my university prepares more for the technical challenge than it does the realities of performing at real work I guess.

I want to learn with the mentors about the necessary life and business skills to succeed in the industries, and also how to think through the technical challenge in the field of engineering in real projects. With the diverse background of the field of engineering, I want to know about the facing problems, solutions, and innovations in another field engineering.

okay, soo... are you a woman/female/girl engineer? please share your opinion too :)
These are some TEDxTalks video about the story become a female engineer, really cool! 

Andrea Gonzales, a girl who has a background in computer science build community called Girls Who Codes, and in 17 years old she created a game called Tampon Run, Through Tampon Run and women in the game industry, this girl wants to help us understand that women are ignored as users and creators of technology, and why.

Morgan DiCarlo is an undergraduate Civil Engineering student with a Business Management minor in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program at Stony Brook University. It is her dream to apply science and math principles to solve global water problems.

Iowa State University Computer Science major Cassidy Williams was often the only girl in the room. She shares her story of pursuing her passion as a model for encouraging women in STEM.

Debbie Sterling is an engineer and founder of GoldieBlox, a toy company out to inspire the next generation of female engineers. She has made it her mission in life to tackle the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math. She create an engineering toy for girls called GoldieBox

and the one who have a background as woman mechanical engineer pursue her passion in racing and engineering and become a technical engineer at FORMULA SEA team and allowing her to become only the second female Team Lead in the team's 25 year history.. so coool!