• Question: Do you think it's harder for a girl to be an engineer rather then a boy, why?

    Asked by Maya to Stephen, Sita, Rory, Hannah, Brian, Alison on 6 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: Sita Karki

      Sita Karki answered on 6 Mar 2019:


      Sometimes yes because we are not as physically stronger as men, but intellectually there is no difference.

    • Photo: Alison Dufresne

      Alison Dufresne answered on 6 Mar 2019:


      Girls are just as good at engineering as boys. Some are much much better but – is it harder to be an engineer as a girl? Yes.
      It’s harder not because of the work it’s harder because of the work environment. There’s an imbalance in the industry, especially the Space industry!! It means that often (almost always) I’m the only girl in the room (I’m the only female at my company right now). That can be hard. It can be a good thing (you stand out) and it can be a bad thing (it can feel kind of lonely).
      There are type of engineering where the balance is better (biomedical is at almost 50%!) but we need more female space engineers. I want more girls doing space engineering but I don’t want to pretend thatit’s always easy, it’s not! It is worth it though.

    • Photo: Rory Scarrott

      Rory Scarrott answered on 6 Mar 2019:


      I completely agree with Alison on this, it is something that needs to change (we need more awesome space engineers).

      Insofar as I can see, there is absolutely no difference between girls and boys in their capability to be an engineer. There is a work environment and an unconscious bias which girls may encounter, and this is changing in Ireland and across Europe, but I reckon, if you are interested in engineering, go for it (and work in Space too for that matter 😛 ).

    • Photo: Hannah Currivan

      Hannah Currivan answered on 6 Mar 2019:


      To be honest I don’t find it harder to be a girl\women in engineering and physics. 🙂 There are less women\girls in engineering and physics, it is noticeable, but it does not bother me, I find the men/boys in the industry very supportive and great friends!!!
      What is important is to do what you love and, work hard and, one day you will be an engineer, the same goes for boys. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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