While progress is being made, there is clearly a long way to go to achieve a better-balanced workforce. To learn from these female engineers themselves, we have spoken with several women working in the industry to hear their experiences and insights on being a woman in engineering.
Reflecting on past experiences
There have always been barriers for women in this industry, but as Chrissay Brinkmann, Solutions Engineer at Leaseweb USA, reveals, many women in engineering are receiving the support they need early on in their careers. “I was lucky to grow up with people, women and men, who never questioned my place in STEM. They didn’t treat it like something unusual or out of reach. They just cheered me on, challenged me in the best ways, and helped me see that my voice and ideas belonged in this space. That kind of support changes everything.”
Jennifer Rojas, Director of Operations at Leaseweb Canada is also keen to highlight that “June 23 isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s this really powerful reminder of what’s actually possible when women are truly seen and supported in engineering and tech. For me, it brings up so much gratitude. I think about the mentors who nudged me forward when I didn’t know what the next step even looked like, and the people who believed in me, even before I really believed in myself. That kind of support? It changed everything. It helped me take chances I probably wouldn’t have taken otherwise, follow what I was curious about, and start imagining a future that felt bigger… and actually doable.”
Reflecting on the past, and focusing on the important steps taken to improve the situation, Elena Arabgadi, Software Engineer at Aqilla observes how “20 years ago, when I started to work in IT, I was the first female Java developer in my city. At that time, I was young, inexperienced, but very motivated. So, I felt in my own skin all the pros and cons of working in a male-dominated environment. Now the situation has changed, and women can cover many roles in tech.”
Pros and cons of the industry today
There is much more support for women in the engineering workplace today, with key steps being taken to improve diversity alongside better opportunities for young women to enter the field.
Brinkmann highlights how this new level of encouragement is clear in many modern businesses, explaining that “these days, I get to work at Leaseweb. And honestly, I feel that same kind of support here every single day. It’s not just lip service. Diversity is part of the way we show up for each other. The way we solve problems together. And ultimately, how we win as a team. When people with different perspectives come together, the ideas get richer… the questions get sharper… and the solutions get better. It’s just that simple. I’m proud to be part of a team that gets that. And I really hope that by sharing my story, more women feel seen, encouraged, and maybe even inspired to explore a future in engineering too.”
For Rojas, the same sentiment applies as she describes how “being part of Leaseweb, I get to pay it forward. This is a company that genuinely walks the walk when it comes to inclusion. It’s not just talk. We see every day how having different voices around the table makes us sharper, more creative, and more human in the way we solve problems. Celebrating women in engineering isn’t just about fairness. It’s about building smarter, better teams. And I hope the next generation sees that and knows: there’s absolutely room for you here.”
However, while it is clear that the industry is beginning to open its arms to more women workers, there are still areas that are holding them back.
As Aqilla’s Arabgadi explains, “the situation with the gender gap, unfortunately, remains the same. It’s very sad that women are underpaid. Not only in IT, of course. Organisations should close the gap by offering the same conditions for males and females. If one day the gender gap is closed, it may invert the demography problem as well. Tech, as other industries, only wins from women's presence. Only the combination of female and male approaches can bring excellent results. So, I would advise women right from the start of their careers, never give up and keep going forward!”
Looking to the future
As progress continues to be made, it is important to look to the future, continually seeking to better understand and improve job opportunities for women entering the field. An engineer early in her career, Claire Hu Weber, Vice President of International Markets at Fluke Corporation highlights the importance of a proactive approach to change, arguing that “if we want more women to thrive in engineering, we have to be intentional. That means creating sponsorship, not just mentorship, and making flexibility and growth pathways a norm, not an exception. Representation matters. We need to shift the promotion mindset from just rewarding performance to also recognising potential. Some of the best leaders I’ve worked with weren’t the loudest or the most obvious candidates—they were simply waiting for someone to believe in them.”
Hu Weber urges women considering a career in engineering to “believe in your potential, even when others hesitate. Don’t wait to feel 100% ready, just start. I always say, stop talking about the glass ceiling. It’s not a fixed limit, it’s something we unconsciously allow to exist. You define your own path, and it’s up to you to set the boundaries, not accept them. That said, no one succeeds alone. Build your support system early. Whether it’s teachers, peers, family, mentors, or colleagues, surround yourself with people who believe in your ambitions and will push you forward when self-doubt creeps in. And finally, stay curious. Engineering is about exploring the unknown, solving problems, and improving lives. The world needs more women at the table to do that meaningfully.”
This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate those who are not only achieving amazing things in the field, but who are also championing and encouraging the next generation of women engineers to rise up and claim their place in the industry.