National Post - Financial Post Magazine
WOMEN LEVELLING THE SKILLED CAREERS FIELD
BY DENISE DEVEAU
There are countless outstanding women who are making their mark in less-traditional sectors. This year’s Manulife Science and Technology and CP Skilled Trades honourees are a diverse spectrum of women in under-represented industries, blazing a trail for other women to follow.
From skilled trades and manufacturing to technology and innovation, here are their thoughts on how women can bring a fresh perspective to these industries and create a stronger and more diversified economy.
Stephanie Thompson
Engineering Team Leader, General Motors of Canada; CEO, STEM by Steph
Winner in the CP Skilled Trades category
“If someone isn’t pulling or leading them, young girls tend to go by the wayside and let the boys push them out of the way.”
I’ve worked with many people in trades. But throughout it all I never really felt being a woman was a negative as long as you have a good corporate culture that positively reinforces right behaviours. I’m one of only two female engineers in a group of about 80. People applying for work are often surprised to know I will be their boss. When interviewing co-op students, I always take care to look for the best female – and male – talent. I never had the opportunity of having female role models, which is why teaching and working with young girls is definitely one of my passions. I still hear stories of guidance counsellors telling girls they don’t want to be in engineering as a career, so it’s easy to lose girls in the pipeline.
All I can do is add volume to that pipeline by showing young girls that engineering and trades are worthy pursuits. To make more informed choices, they need to be better supported. It’s critical to give them the confidence to get on the path.
Dr. Shawna Pandya
Physician, Scientist-astronaut Candidate; VP Immersive Medicine, Luxsonic Technologies; Director/instructor – Space Medicine Group and Medical Advisor to Startups. Winner in the Manulife Science and Technology category
“I’m a firm believer in the adage it’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate. You have to be the change you want to see.”
I always had big ambitions and never grew out of my dream of being an astronaut. When I look back, there were times when I was very much in the minority both in terms of my gender and ethnicity. I was the only female black belt in my martial arts group and the only female in my astronaut graduating class.
I’ve learned that success is about building solid, high-functioning teams that you trust and they trust you. I didn’t set out to make diversity a priority. Now it’s always at the forefront of my mind. I realize that young women really listen to what I have to say. One of my everyday mantras is to stretch the limits. That’s why I’m always driven to do more and be better. My key message to young women is set a goal, don’t limit yourself, and make plans, because a goal without a plan is just a dream.
Raelynn Hawco
Red Seal Journeyman
Powerline Technician, Voltage Power Winner in the CP Skilled Trades category
“If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
In my field, women represent about one per cent of the people in the trade. Within the first week of taking a powerline program at college, I knew this is what was right for me. There was only one other lady in the course. I spent a lot of time with my grandfather, who was a heavy equipment mechanic, and witnessed his love and passion for his job. I always wanted to have that in my career. Of all four companies I have been with, I have been the first and only female they had hired. When I first started work, I was with a bunch of older men who had the mentality that women shouldn’t be in trades. They kept me on the ground, and discouraged me from climbing. Once I got comfortable I started using my voice. Once I proved I could do the job and pull my weight, everything started to get easier. It’s been hard and challenging, but I’m happy that I have so much passion for my job. I worked hard to excel in a male trade and I want other women to see that.
Elizabeth Moses
Machinist, Ambassador
FIRST Robotics Canada,
Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-essex County
Winner in the CP Skilled Trades category
“I wanted to prove to people that women can work in the trades and show what can be achieved.”
I discovered my passion for trades when a teacher invited me to join the FIRST Robotics Competition in high school. I ended up on a team of two girls and more than 20 guys. I wasn’t used to working in such a maledominated area, but it turned out to be a great group. The work led me to applying to the machinist program at St. Clair College. My family, teachers and friends tried to convince me to do something else. They saw machining as a job for a male, and not for someone who is educated. But it was my dream to do something I really enjoyed, and I was willing to see where it would take me. Trades are still new for a lot of women, but more are entering them because of programs like Women in Trades at the college. The opportunities are endless. Once I obtain my Red Seal, I can become a teacher, work with community groups, and co-ordinate programs to promote diversity and inclusion in the trades. I might even pursue another trade so I can combine my abilities.
Rusul Alrubail
Executive Director, Parkdale Centre for Innovation Winner in the Manulife Science and Technology category
“Women want to be in control of their work and be their own bosses.”
I founded Parkdale Centre for Innovation as a not-for-profit incubator and accelerator with a focus on supporting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship. Before Parkdale I was a co-founder on The Writing Project, a student publishing platform. That project gave me first-hand working knowledge of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The idea for the centre came from my own experience with The Writing Project and the barriers I faced as a Muslim woman entrepreneur in Toronto. I was always pushed to the margins and denied access to leaders. I thought about having a space that would close the inclusivity gap so entrepreneurs and women like me could come in and get the support they need. The most popular program by far is the Women’s Founders Program. They come to us because we provide a safe, inclusive placed to start a business in technology without feeling judged. I’ve discovered that women entrepreneurs are very resilient and able to push a lot of barriers that are put in their way. Many start a business because they want another livelihood or to elevate their economic status beyond a minimum wage job. I understand now that the work we are doing will make a difference in the community and beyond.