The path paved by our stories

A letter to female engineers who wish to inspire others without necessarily knowing how

18% of engineers in Quebec are women.[1] 25% of women experience discrimination, harassment, or intimidation at work.[2] In Canada, women are paid on average $0.76 for each $1 earned by men.[3]

Why is this still the case? Aren't there countless organizations promoting women in engineering? Aren't there so many campaigns on social media to change people’s mentality? It's not that all these efforts aren't effective, it's just that they're not the only efforts needed. No matter their reach, these great initiatives can't always provide the personal interaction it takes for young girls to identify with and engage in a path that, let's face it, is a little more stressful than others. So, are these efforts all in vain? Not at all, most of them have a significant and visible impact. So how do you catalyze change? It's very simple, by having female role models like you!

According to a 2018 study, young girls exposed to female role models experience a 20% to 30% increase in interest in STEM compared to those who are not.[4]

But, you'll say, you're not a role model because you don't do anything special. Think again! Take a moment to think about what led you into engineering. It's often the things that happen to us personally that drive our choices rather than a Facebook post on our News Feed. For us, Natasha and Liliya, it was our direct contact with sciences. We both had the chance to get our hands dirty building robots in an after- school club in high school. It was exactly there, with our drills in hand, that we realized that this was accessible to us. We both got involved in the CRC Robotics Competition for no rhyme or reason (Natasha had nothing to do after school and Liliya didn't even know what "robotics" meant). We consider ourselves lucky, since we didn't really have a female role model who paved the way for us, and if it wasn't for a “spur of the moment” decision, we might not even be in engineering today. This competition left such a lasting impression on us that we both decided to volunteer with the CRC Robotics organization so that we can be involved in ensuring the future generations have the same experience we had and allowing other girls can discover their passion.

« The country will be short at least 100,000 engineers by 2025 ».[5]

However, not every young girl, who might be interested in science without knowing it, should be expected to have this same desire, especially in a context where there is already a severe shortage of engineers and where the presence of women would offer a very tangible richness to Quebec engineering. There are proven ways to it easier for girls to consider a career in STEM, including exposure to female role models! It doesn't take as much as you think to become one, we ourselves have consciously chosen to act as role models for the young girls around us and we are not superwomen. Sometimes, all it takes is being available and willing to share your experiences. We believe in this so much, that after several years in CRC Robotics, we decided to start the annual Aim Together conference, to allow girls of all ages, but especially the younger ones who have less access to it, to meet female role models in all STEM fields. And what we get back is the feeling of knowing we have somehow inspired them to imagine themselves as engineers, scientists, programmers, mathematicians! All they needed was that little boost to see what it's all about and have someone to talk to and ask questions to.

So, talk about science with your friend's little sister, with your cousin, with your family friend's young daughter, with your mother's friend's cousin's daughter! Show her how to solve a Rubik's cube, explain how to turn on an LED on an Arduino, show her how to build a bridge with popsicle sticks, teach her how to program her first “Hello World”! There's no shortage of project ideas! And if that piques her interest, help her get oriented and immersed in whatever makes her eyes light up with that beautiful sparkle. You can help her find a project, an organization, an activity that would allow her to dive into what appeals to her! You don't have to have done everything to help them discover science.

Basically, choose to be a vector for change, even if you think you have no force (wink wink) over the world and your efforts will have no choice but to bear fruit!