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More Mechanical Engineering Jobs for Women

July 17, 2006
by Martin A. David
martin.david@technology-schools.com
Technology Schools Columnist

Cristina Amon, who just became the first female dean of the mechanical engineering school at a major Canadian university, says a mechanical engineering career should be open to anyone who is good at math and science--regardless of gender.

Mechanical Engineering--Traditionally a Man's Career

For years, most of the engineers in the hardcore civil, electrical, structural, and mechanical engineering jobs were men. Engineering seems to be one of the last places where women have found on-the-job equality. Now a female engineer has taken over the reins of a mechanical engineering school at a Canadian university and she intends to do her part to change that picture.

Dean Amon is starting by setting up mentoring and other assistance programs for women and other minorities to help prepare them for the many entry level jobs being created today. Amon graduated from the mechanical engineer school of a Venezuelan university and went on to earn her doctorate in the field. She points out that the atmosphere is quite different in South America. Specifically, the mechanical engineering career is open to anyone who has the skills.

Programs Attract Girls to Engineering

Some of the programs being sponsored by Amon target the pre-university population. She wants to attract young girls into engineering programs, and eventually into mechanical engineering careers, by showing them that you can be brainy in science and mathematics and still be cool.

Another part of her approach to promoting mechanical engineering as a career choice for women is by giving the public a clearer picture of exactly what the field is. She says most people who are not in the profession have no idea what kind of mechanical engineering jobs exist.

About the Author
Martin A. David is a published author and translator. He is also a technical writer in the Silicon Valley. He currently manages the Technical Publications department of a thriving high technology firm.