Combating gender stereotypes in technology
Q. Tell us about your role and job profile at your company.
I am currently working as a Marketing Communications professional at Delta Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. At pan-India level, I supervise and direct diversified marketing communication programs for Industrial Automation division of Delta Electronics India.
I look after all the Above the Line (ATL), Below the Line (BTL) marketing, digital marketing, events, budget management everything which can benefit the brand and increase its visibility in the industry. I have been a part of Delta family for the last 5 years and have been improvising on the way we can make the communication better in reaching our potential customers and strengthen the existing partnership with our valued associates.
Q. What made you choose a career in the Automation industry?
With the increasing demand to automate every aspect of life, the industry has charmed the professionals not only in the engineering but in other domains too. With cut-throat competition in the industry, marketing communication becomes very crucial and important job profile here.
There was not a preplanned decision which made me choose the particular industry. I would just say as I got the opportunity, I got excited about the challenging characteristics of the profile. The spark to know more about latest technology and opportunity to develop focused, technically complex and specialized marketing strategies for a very selective segment attracted me towards the industry.
Every profile is a new horizon of opportunity if one has interest to grow. Over these years, I have learnt a lot and each day I just look to deliver something better than yesterday, which is my driving force to continue here.
I feel that even though women are under-represented in the industry, the industry gets benefitted from the diversified perspective which women brings with them. They get to play an important role, which encourages them to contribute a lot for the progressive growth.
Despite multiple barriers, women have achieved success in every domain. It’s just we have to come forward and take the first step. We have to understand that business acumen and leadership do not come exclusively to men
Q. Did you face any difficulty in coping in the industry (due to lesser women employees)? If yes, then please share anecdotes and your experiences
Yes, there are challenges. For instance, many times while organizing any expo or event, there are very few or no other female faces around. For some, it could be a very stressful work environment but for me it has always been motivating and exciting. It encourages me to push the envelope every day.
So, despite challenges, if one wants to learn and keep going, the path becomes beautiful. My superiors and colleagues have always supported me and shared their knowledge and learnings. I, on the other hand, have made the most of every opportunity and have always given my best to complete the whole ecosystem.
Q. In your opinion, why only few women manage to climb the seniority ladder? What are the key barriers affecting career progression of women?
Certainly, the outside barriers such as gender inequality, society structure, family responsibilities are there. However, I feel the most crucial barrier is not outside but within us. The barrier which confines us to challenge ourselves and stops us from fulfilling our desires.
We have caged ourselves in a stereotype that women can’t reach to the senior levels in an organization. Despite multiple barriers, if we see around, women have achieved success in every domain, it’s just we have to come forward and take the first step. We have to understand that business acumen and leadership do not come exclusively to men.
Till the time all the parameters become equal for both man and woman in the society, we as women might have to do extra efforts to get to the same level. However, I believe that the quality of handling additional responsibilities has been given to us by nature itself.
Q. What initiatives can we take to encourage more women to join the industry.
I always believe one should realize their strengths and interests. This field is for someone who wishes to connect with technology and has a hunger to learn more. Many women might think that this industry requires some specific knowledge and skills, but all this industry requires is your passion and honesty to stay connected with evolutions and innovation of technology. Technology is all about today and progress of tomorrow, then how can it be restricted to a specific gender/ person when the future is about us all.
We should allow women to think beyond their limitations, we should encourage them to share their thoughts on how they want to shape the future with latest technologies, and once their thoughts are spoken and analyzed, half the battle is won.
I work for an industry where we talk about robots, but I am yet to meet a robot that asked my gender before taking my instructions. Thus, the thought is clear when technology never restricted its capability why should we?
Q. What advice would you give to women to be successful in the industry?
In today’s business world, Automation is the biggest game-changer. It is universal and can be applied in any vertical or industry.
The increasing demand of Automation has made this industry very lucrative to work. The very fact that the percentage of women employees is less in the industry, also presents an opportunity to opt the profession. Inherent women qualities like ownership, hard work, time management, commitment makes us excel in any field. Then, why not in the booming Automation sector?
The only thing one need is to be motivated enough to keep pace with such a dynamic industry. Sharpen your skills regularly and project confidence in all you do. Most importantly, always remember if a job’s not challenging, it’s not worth doing.
