A long and fulfilling career in engineering is undoubtedly possible, but it raises an intriguing question: how many women do you know who have retired from engineering roles, or engineers who have transitioned to non-engineering roles within the industry?
Globally, women remain underrepresented in engineering. For instance:
In the UK, women make up just 15.7% of the engineering workforce as of 2024 according to a study conducted by Engineering UK. While this is a record high, it still reflects the significant gender gap in the field.
In the US, women comprise about 15% of engineers, with Black women accounting for less than 1% of the total engineering workforce.
In Ghana, a country pushing for more gender inclusivity, around 20% of engineering students are female, but only a fraction enter and stay in the workforce long-term.
Despite these low numbers, the challenges are being addressed gradually. However, retaining women in engineering roles remains a critical issue. Research indicates that women are more likely to leave the industry than their male counterparts. For example, a 2018 study by the Society of Women Engineers revealed that nearly 30% of women leave engineering after their first decade, compared to just 10% of men. Another study by Engineering UK highlighted a worrisome spike in women aged 35 to 44 leaving the industry. As expected, these departures are occurring mid-career, coinciding with key life events such as caregiving responsibilities, lack of advancement opportunities or work related stress associated with lack of role models or mentors and gender bias.
What Does Staying Power Mean?
'Staying power' is the strength to persevere in the face of challenges. According to Google, it’s “the ability to maintain an activity or commitment irrespective of difficulty.”
Engineering careers can be incredibly rewarding and impactful, offering opportunities to shape the world. Yet, the industry significantly lags in gender diversity. While women represent roughly 25% of engineering students worldwide, only about 15% of them transition into the workforce, and the percentage drops further when analyzing those who reach senior leadership roles or retire as engineers or from the engineering industry. Staying power is crucial for building a career in engineering.
Thriving Despite the Odds
It's not all doom and gloom. Many women have successfully navigated and had impactful engineering careers and non-engineering careers in the industry, often attributing their staying power to these strategies:
Building Resilience - Resilience enables you to navigate setbacks, whether it's dealing with bias or adapting to industry changes.
Upskilling Yourself - The engineering landscape is evolving rapidly. Staying updated on industry advancements ensures long-term relevance.
Being Adaptable - The ability to pivot within the industry—whether to technical or non-technical roles—keeps your career dynamic and fosters longevity.
Fostering Relationships - Support networks, mentors, and allies make the journey less isolating and more collaborative.
Remembering Your ‘Why’ - Staying connected to the passion or purpose that drew you to engineering can reignite motivation during tough times.
A Shared Responsibility
Not every engineer wants to remain in a technical role for their entire career and that’s perfectly okay. Engineering offers a wealth of opportunities, from leadership positions to entrepreneurial ventures. It is possible to strive for and lead a long fulfilling career in engineering. Ultimately, the key to staying power lies in adaptability, continuous learning, and surrounding yourself with the right support systems.
Our organization strives to help more women remain in the industry by providing access to role models through networking events and initiatives like our annual calendar, which celebrates Black women engineers from diverse sectors. By amplifying visibility and fostering community, we aim to inspire the next generation and ensure that women have the staying power to thrive in engineering.
By Abisola Ajani
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