7 Myths about Women & Work

This is a great presentation by longtime Australian Financial Review columnist and author Catherine Fox about what she has identified in her recent book as 'seven myths about women and work'.  She is motivated to gather evidence relating to women's participation and experience in the workforce to better inform public debate and policy, and her discussion is informative - and entertaining!

It was first presented at a Women in Leadership breakfast at Macquarie Uni, and was broadcast on Life Matters on Radio National on April 1, 2013.  It's introduced by show host Natasha Mitchell - who was a former staff member at the Women in Engineering & IT Program at UTS.

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Women in Tech

This infographic can be found at: http://www.mbaonline.com/women-in-tech/

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UTS Women in Engineering Alumni Event

It’s a rainy afternoon in Sydney, but the inside of the Powerhouse Museum is warm and alive with music and the smell of good food. Guests were welcomed in front of a giant 1920’s steam train and invited to take a look at the museum's Engineering Excellence Awards technology exhibition. Engineers from around Sydney, UTS alumni and staff were treated to canapés and drinks before presentations began.  
Themed, "Where have the flowers gone?",

the meeting is an invitation to UTS  engineering graduates to reflect on where they are now and share perspectives on the
experience for women in the profession today. 
The rate of growth of women in the engineering profession in Australia does not reflect even the small increases in university enrolments since the 1990’s. Reasons for leaving engineering uncovered by successive industry surveys include lack of flexible working conditions, workplace culture, lack of career development and pay inequity. At the same time, women are succeeding in engineering by adapting and by innovating and by finding progressive employers. What prospects are there for change that will better sustain and help retain women to succeed and flourish in their chosen fields and how can we collaborate to see it happen?
This topic was discussed by three panelists: Professor Marian Baird, Drenka Andjelic and Fiona Coe.
Professor Marian Baird has been a key policy advisor to government in the development of new legislation – Paid Parental Leave, Fair Work and the proposed Workplace Gender Equality Act.

Drenka Andjelic (Alumni) has put her values about work life balance into practice in the establishment of her project management company in the construction industry, and has won recognition for her innovation.

Fiona Coe (Alumni) has been a strong advocate for women in engineering as a student, and she has worked hard to make her professional workplace a more sympathetic environment. Now she is on a quest to find a way to resolve her passions with engineering practice.
After the speakers, there was a lively discussion  with many questions from the audience. Some interesting points of contention were raised and different view points discussed. You can view the entire presentation section of the evening by clicking here.

From left to right: Bronwyn Holland, Drenka Andjelic,
Fiona Coe and Prof. Marian Baird

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Women in Engineering Winter Gala Dinner 2012

To celebrate the conclusion of Engineering Week, the Sydney division of Engineers Australia invited women from all over Sydney and surrounds to join them for their annual Women in Engineering Winter Gala Dinner. On 11 August 2012, several representatives of the UTS Women in Engineering and IT Program attended this spectacular black tie event. This year, the Winter Gala Dinner was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay, with stunning views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. After being greeted by waiters holding trays of drinks and told where we were sitting, we got an opportunity to mingle and appreciate the balcony view, as well as everyone’s extravagant clothing! A wonderful three course dinner was served, interspersed with speeches by the two guest speakers. 

First to talk was Sandra Triulzi, who is the National Diversity Manager at Abigroup. Sandra spoke about her experiences and about some of the things she has learnt over the years working as a female in a male dominated industry. One of her more prominent points was the need for there to be an industry wide paradigm shift away from emphasis on the ideal employee towards being an ideal employer.

The second presenter was the guest of honour, Professor Mary O’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer. It was a truly special experience hearing Mary's address, which touched on many keen issues that affect women in non-traditional fields today. Everyone wanted a photo with Mary afterwards as a souvenir to remember her inspirational words. 

At the close of the speeches section of the event, everyone was encouraged to stay for tea and coffee and enjoy the venue. The night was relaxing and tasteful, and I can’t wait to attend again next year!

 WiE&IT Staff with Professor Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer

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Engineers Australia - Women striving for Leadership Panel Discussion

Our friends at the Sydney Wie Division-Engineers Australia recently hosted a 'Women striving for Leadership' panel discussion on Thursday 21 June from 6pm at Rydges Hotel, World Square Sydney. Guest Speakers included Dr Marlene Kanga, Chemical Engineer and most importantly upcoming 2013 National President of Engineers Australia, the peak industry body in the Southern Hemisphere. Marlene re-iterated what we all know yet refuses still to be addressed; that it "is no longer acceptable for bias against any group in the workplace"  and "diversity is needed if we are to solve most of the world's problems such as sustainability etc, diversity is efficient and makes the best use of human capital-logical but not always practised, diverse boards avoid Groupthink". 


Marlene also reminded us of how far Australia has to go reflecting that our neighbour Malaysia has a target of achieving 30% women on boards by 2015. This cannot be achieved as long as one guy continues to tap the other on the shoulder when recruiting for boards, as this is one way of only recruiting from a 'very small pool of talent'. One best-practice example given by the speakers was highlighting the diversity is the recently elected French Government Francois Holland's ministry which consist's of 50% women, including a Minister for Women with Moroccan heritage. Most pointedly Marlene vision for Engineers Australia would be to return the organisation to be 'for and by the members'. A very thoughtful and gracious remark. 


Other speakers included Lucy Baker, Sustainability Leader at Aurecon who spellt out the perception that 'People are perhaps socially conditioned to take leadership suggestions from a man' and the notion that there are still backward 'preconceived ideas about 'waht is acceptable for a woman', as well as some great tips for women in leadership positions and managing a work/life balance with family responsibilities.


Final speaker, Dr Bronwyn Evans from Cochlear and Fellow of Engineers Australia, shared her journey from being an engineering cadet at the Electrical Commission to doing a PhD/becoming a lecturer, to working at Standards Australia  and GE Healthcare and finally moving to Cochlear, one of the worlds' biggest medical device organisations. The key message which was communicated and is relevant to all UTS students and graduates is that if there is case of pay inequity.........i.e. not being paid the same as your male colleagues for the exact same work, you are not only being undervalued and underpaid, but you are doing others a disservice'. Organisations will continue the trend if you do not speak up. Current pay inequity within the engineering profession sits between 10-20% within Australian workplaces. (see APESMA).


Thank you to all speakers for a wonderful and very enlightening event, and particularly for communicating the obvious..........YES, it is worth it! 

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