Why It Matters
Engineering is a dynamic and rewarding profession, yet the field faces significant gender imbalance. In the UK, women account for only 6% of professional engineers, highlighting an urgent need for change. Mentorship has proven to be a powerful strategy to recruit, retain, and empower women in engineering, offering invaluable support to help them thrive in their careers.
Why Women in Engineering Need Mentors
The journey for women pursuing engineering careers is often fraught with challenges. Despite sharing similar career ambitions with their male peers, women are less likely to secure engineering roles shortly after graduation. The retention rate for female engineering graduates is also significantly lower than that of their male counterparts, at 25% compared to 40%. Barriers such as limited role models, stereotypical perceptions, and workplace culture continue to hinder progress.
Mentorship is a powerful tool to counter these challenges. Research shows that women who receive mentorship—particularly from female mentors—experience increased belonging, confidence, and motivation in their studies. This support fosters stronger career aspirations and helps retain women in engineering roles, creating a positive ripple effect for future generations.
Throughout my career, and to this day, I have benefited from many amazing mentors, both men and women. These mentors listened, suggested approaches, inspired me and taught me not to give up when times are hard. This then inspired me to start up a programme, with help from some inspirational individuals, for women studying engineering at university to be mentored by women in industry. Before anyone worries, we did offer similar to men studying engineering, but they typically had less issues finding mentors.
How Mentorship Makes a Difference
Mentors serve as both guides and role models, offering real-world insights, encouragement, and practical support. For women in engineering, mentors can:
- Bridge the Gap Between Academia and Industry: Mentors provide mentees with valuable knowledge about career opportunities and industry-specific skills, such as crafting CVs and acing interviews.
- Boost Confidence and Belonging: Seeing a successful professional who shares similar experiences can dismantle stereotypes and inspire mentees to envision themselves in engineering roles.
- Enhance Career Aspirations: Exposure to mentors increases career motivation and fosters resilience in navigating challenges.
- Build a Pipeline for Future Talent: Through outreach activities, mentees can inspire young girls to consider engineering careers, further diversifying the field.
Key Elements of a Mentorship Program
A well-structured mentorship program can have a profound impact on both mentees and mentors. Key components include:
- Tailored Pairing: Matching mentees with mentors in fields of mutual interest ensures meaningful and relevant guidance.
- Practical Support: Mentors can assist mentees with preparing for job applications, interviews, and career planning.
- Outreach Opportunities: Providing mentees with training to deliver school outreach activities creates a cycle of inspiration for future generations of engineers.
- Workshops and Networking: Facilitating workshops helps mentors and mentees establish clear objectives and build productive relationships.
With a manageable time commitment of just one to two hours per month, mentors can make a significant difference in shaping the careers of their mentees while contributing to a more inclusive engineering community.
Mentorship: A Catalyst for Change
Mentorship is more than a professional relationship; it’s a lifeline that empowers women to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field. By fostering confidence, belonging, and career readiness, mentors help break down barriers and pave the way for lasting change.
Targeted mentorship programs are a proven way to address gender disparities in engineering. With dedicated industry mentors, women are not only more likely to stay in engineering but are also better equipped to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Over the next couple of posts, I'll be sharing some helpful tools to get started on a mentoring relationship. Together, we can build a more diverse and inclusive future for engineering—one mentor at a time.
