Breakthrough Career Strategies for Women Engineers
The one day “Breakthrough career strategies for Women Engineers” course was organised by Women in Engineering WA Division and was run by Helen Woods of The Strategy Team Pty Ltd. The workshop held in Perth (June 2008) was attended by 25 female engineers.
Also, a scholarship was offered by National Committee for Women in Engineering for this course to empower career strategies with practical guidance how to progress career goals for women engineers. The successful recipient for this scholarship was Emma Molloy, an environmental engineer, currently working for Umwelt Australia Pty Ltd. She is an inaugural team member in the new Perth office of this national environmental consultancy, as well as a member of Subiaco Rotaract Club, a volunteer organization affiliated with Rotary. Emma is passionate about working to improve environmental management and increase sustainability.
A range of topics were presented during the course, focussing on leadership, increasing understanding and affirmation, personal values and challenges. A video about “Radiating Possibility was presented – a way of leading that recognises the possibilities in others and in situations, rather than focussing on negatives or seeing situations as win-lose.
The “Circle of Knowing” dialogue tool designed by the course presenter was used to explore issues related to key topic of the workshop – confidence. The main challenges identified by the course participants were confidence and how to present and receive themselves in professional roles.
Other items discussed included obtaining feedback, explored leadership social styles, personal power and personal values.
The course was very well received amongst the participants dedicating a day to thinking about themselves, every day challenges, goals and personal traits, helping to refocus on the big picture and re-discover their motivation.
The “Breakthrough career strategies for Woman engineers” workshop was also organised for regional members in Karratha with attendance of 12 participants.
Thanks to Emma Molloy and her report on the workshop which was used in preparation of this article.
By Ksenija Stanic-Colic, WiE WA
