INTERVIEW WITH A Mechanical Engineer I: Erin

The State of the STEM Gap

Did you know: 28% of Science and Engineering workers are women, despite nearly half of the workforce being made up of women? Clearly there is a disparity between men and women in the STEM workforce, but data shows that even though the number of women entering the STEM field is increasing the gender gap is persisting.

In light of these statistics we're interviewing one of our engineers, Erin, to learn more about why she entered the engineering field and what advice she has for other woman interested in engineering. 

Erin
Mechanical Engineer I
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Why did you choose to study engineering as a career path?

With an aptitude for math and science growing up, and a role model (my dad) who always loves to point out the engineering in life, I wanted to continue my love for problem solving in the world of engineering.

After taking a preliminary mechanical design/3D software class at UF and loving it, I knew I wanted to pursue Mechanical Engineering. Engineering is embedded in so many aspects of our daily life, the opportunities of problems you can conquer through engineering are endless.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

The most exciting thing about my job is the variety of projects that I get to work on and the different subjects that I learn about along the way.

What does your typical day at work look like? ​

Every day at work is a little bit different.
Some of the broad stroke ideas of what I get to do on a day-to-day basis are things like:

1. Creating new designs for and supporting the Business Development team
2. Performing regular updates/maintenance on engineering documents and processes
3. Getting to work with Custom Manufacturing & Engineering's (CME) new 3D printer
4. Working with a collaborative team of CME's engineers to design and produce great solutions

What do you think is the future of engineering?

I think that automation or AI, whether it be kiosks, cobots, voice control, or Teslas driving on autopilot, is an area of engineering that has a growing push behind it as time goes on. Nevertheless, engineering is in everything (packaging, consumer products, air/spacecraft, environmental conservation, etc.) and there is always room for improvement.

What's it like to be a woman in the engineering field?

There is a huge sense of accomplishment that comes with making it through the rigorous course load that engineering presents. Although there is still a difference in numbers between male and female engineers, I do think the difference is slowly decreasing. Even with completing a degree the majority of which is occupied by men, we are all working toward a common goal and learn a lot from each other along the way. Being one of two female engineers at CME, the team has really taken me in and helped me to assimilate and become a part of their engineering community.

What would you say to other women considering entering the engineering field?

For women pursuing engineering I’d say don’t be intimidated by numbers differences between men and women, because when it comes down to it it’s not about those numbers. If you have the skills or the drive and determination to pursue engineering than absolutely do that. It’s an incredibly diverse field, in more ways than just between men and women, and everyone has something that they can contribute.

For women pursuing engineering I’d say don’t be intimidated by numbers differences between men and women, because when it comes down to it it’s not about those numbers.

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Sources:
​National Science Board, 2018. Science and Engineering Indicators 2018. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB-2018-1). https://ngcproject.org/sites/default/files/ngcp_the_state_of_girls_and_women_in_stem_2018a.pdf
2019. Steady Rise for Women in STEM but Gender Gap Remains. https://www.statista.com/chart/16970/women-stem/

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