Opinion
The female factor
The industry has come a long way in evolving from the sexist
gentleman’s club it once was, thanks to the perseverance of
female staff, says young engineer Amanda Reid
W
hen I was younger I wanted to be a restrictive country for women – but I found this
a fighter pilot. That dream died a to be untrue for myself. Working in Dubai also led
quick death when I was told you to opportunities in Saudi Arabia, but Saudi is not
need 20/20 vision, but my desire quite as easy for women – especially single women
to be challenged never changed. At college I – as Dubai is. Women are not allowed to drive, need
followed the engineering path, due to my likes to cover up by wearing an abaya and have to be
and dislikes. The male-to-female ration was 50:50. accompanied when they travel.
However, at university that ratio changed to 90:10 It is a different world compared with the one I am
respectively. I graduated with a good electrical and used to. I am involved with the design of projects in
electronic engineering degree, and applied to a few Saudi Arabia from our Dubai office, and the divide
main contractors, but I didn’t get the position I and difference in treatment is evident from the
wanted – maybe wearing a skirt wasn’t a good idea. design of buildings.
At the same time I applied to consultants and was Now that I have worked in different countries
offered a graduate position at a leading building and with people from many backgrounds, I can see
services engineering consultancy. that women engineers’
There were only four female engineers in an office stance in the industry
of about 70 staff. Within the company I never felt varies across the world.
The buildings
as if I was held back for being a female, or treated Sometimes it’s not only
any differently. However, I noticed a difference individual opinions services
in treatment when I met external consultants, you have to consider –
sector needs women
contractors and manufacturers. there are also cultural
Male colleagues in meetings would always differences. People also to help it evolve from
address each other; I was often ignored and treated forget the social side of
the ‘senior gentlemen’s
as someone with no authority or say. It was very work can sometimes
disheartening. How can you change someone else’s present barriers to industry’ I thought
perception when you only interact with them for a overcome. Guys enjoy
it was when I first
few minutes? I felt as though it would be this way lads’ nights out, which
forever and, consequently, left the industry. can sometimes lead to joined – and I believe it
I came back to engineering just two years ago, after exclusion.
continues to evolve, due
considering other career opportunities during my But do women make
five-year absence, and noticed what a big difference better engineers? And to the assistance
had occurred in that time. There were many more what do women bring to
of women.
female engineers, and things had become balanced engineering that males
in a world where, previously, men were recognised don’t? Having women
more. If I could go back in time I definitely would engineers in the workplace does improve the
have persevered. office environment – and not just physically.
I received offers from all the firms I applied Women are needed to add diversity and different
to, only this time no references were made to my ways of thinking, and to improve creativity and
being a woman, and there was no difference in pay reliability.
or benefits. I then decided I wanted to gain more The building services sector needs women to help
experience on larger projects, and so decided to it evolve from the ‘senior gentlemen’s industry’ I
venture further afield to Dubai. thought it was when I first joined. I believe it continues
The general perception of Dubai is that it can be to evolve, due to the assistance of women. l
20 CIBSE Journal July 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjul09 pp20 opinion reid.indd 20 26/6/09 12:06:24
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