Have you ever wondered why so few women choose engineering fields, even when they have the talent and passion? The answer is often simpler than we think: you can’t aspire to be something you haven’t seen before.
This clearly explains why only 30% of women choose engineering fields today. Very often, it is not a lack of ability but a lack of role models to relate to. Through this article, I want to show how important role models are by sharing my personal journey and what led me to electrical engineering and industrial automation.
For me, it all started with my father. He worked in computer maintenance, and as the eldest in my family, I enjoyed spending time with him and learning about what he did. That is how my interest in technical fields began.
After my baccalaureate, I took two entrance exams: one in computer engineering and another in electricity. I finally chose electricity, which allowed me to explore industrial maintenance before moving into electrical engineering and industrial automation.
However, once I entered this field, I sometimes felt lost, especially because there were very few women around me. I lacked guidance and inspiration. How can we pursue something when we hardly see anyone like us in the field? That was when I joined the Global Engineer Girls program, and it truly changed the way I see my future.
On the launch day of the program, seeing confident, accomplished, and competent women engineers working in my field deeply inspired me. I realized that I had made the right choice. Today, I have a clearer vision of my future and much more confidence in myself.
Even though I am still a student, I already notice that I have become a role model for my younger sisters and cousins. They are beginning to believe that women can also succeed in technical careers, and this motivates me greatly.
Through my experience, I have learned that role models are essential. They do not only show the way—they also give courage, inspire confidence, and help us believe in ourselves. That is exactly what I found through Global Engineer Girls.