Celebrating the Resilience and Triumphs of Female Leaders in Technology: Insights on International Women in Engineering Day

Shweta Kaushik, VP at Mercedes-Benz R&D India, Shares Insights on Overcoming Challenges, Promoting Diversity, and Shaping the Future of Women in Engineering and Technology

On International Women in Engineering Day, we spoke to Shweta Kaushik, Vice President of Technology Services at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India. With nearly two decades of experience in the technology field, Shweta is a trailblazer and an advocate for women in engineering and technology. In this interview, she shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and the initiatives she is driving to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Shweta also provides valuable advice for young women considering a career in engineering or technology and envisions a bright future where women engineers contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies in the automotive sector.

Excerpts:

As a female leader in the technology field, what challenges have you faced throughout your career, and how did you overcome them?

Despite having spent nearly two decades in the technology sector, I strongly believe that the representation of women in the technology-infrastructure domain is still inadequate.

During the early years of my career, there were few female leaders who served as role models. My mother, however, was an exception. She embodied the values of hard work and dedication, serving as an unwavering source of inspiration throughout my journey.

Looking back, I recall the prevalence of gender bias and stereotypes in the engineering field. Society viewed desk jobs as more suitable for women, while physically demanding fieldwork was considered less desirable. Networking opportunities for women were scarce, and those who aspired to progress in their careers were often met with judgment for being too forward-thinking.

Furthermore, the demanding nature of these roles, coupled with long working hours, presented new challenges. Striking a balance between personal and professional lives became an additional hurdle to overcome.

In addition to these obstacles, the lack of structured support systems added to the difficulties faced by women. Mentorship programs, employee resource groups, accessible daycares for working mothers, and inclusive workplace policies were scarce. Without these essential resources and guidance, women found it even more challenging to navigate career barriers and fulfill their potential.

Despite surmounting these challenges, I attribute my current achievements to unwavering perseverance, diligent work ethic, and taking control of my own career. I have always embraced new experiences, whether they were opportunities or challenges, willingly stepping out of my comfort zone.

How do you encourage and support young women pursuing careers in engineering and technology?

In the last ten years, we have witnessed significant progress for women in the tech industry. I would highly encourage Gen Z to avail the power of networking opportunities and have their circle of trust. As a woman, we should galvanize the entire ecosystem to advance other women in technology and innovation.

What initiatives or programs does Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India have in place to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace?

At MBRDI, it's more important than ever to ensure employees - especially women are provided with the necessary support they need to excel. Through our ‘Mercedes in Mech program, we provide scholarships specifically for women engineering students. We also have initiatives like the ‘Young Mom's Kitty’ program to support and encourage women who are returning to work after maternity leave.

Some other important women-centric initiatives are WINGS, Falken, ERG – Women in Tech, Working Women - MOM, Women with Break, Women Accelerators, and WINN- Women in Innovation. 

By creating these innovative programs, we help women retain demanding leadership roles without having to choose between their work and family. While we have come far, we believe, there's still a lot more work to be done to support and empower female engineers to succeed in the tech world.

In your opinion, what are some of the key skills and qualities that women bring to the engineering and technology industry?

- Some of the key skills and qualities that women should follow in the engineering and technology industry are:

1. The realm of innovation and technology has provided unprecedented opportunities to break trends. As women, we need to be more risk-averse and should explore different technologies to gain a breadth of experience.
2. We must ensure that women’s participation in innovation is not the exception but becomes the norm.
3. Don’t compare your journey with others, there will be people who are ahead of you. Focus on your race
4. Don’t be afraid to lay down your priorities. I have learnt this the hard way. Seek help from your family, mentors, peers, and reporting line managers.
5. Above all, I strongly believe that as women and women leaders, we owe it to each other to uplift and empower. So, let’s build a pathway to our dreams, by helping others build their dreams too.

Have you encountered any misconceptions or stereotypes about women in engineering, and how do you challenge or overcome them?

For the automotive industry globally, the spotlight will remain on the remarkable woman, Bertha Benz, without whom the existence of the Mercedes-Benz brand as we know it today might have been entirely different. 

For the longest time, the entire technology field has been largely dominated by men, leaving women underrepresented in roles related to technology. Nevertheless, today women have made remarkable progress in the industry, shattering barriers, and revolutionizing automotive technology.

Meanwhile, one can overcome any challenges by being bold, making conscious decisions, taking charge of their career, and evolving in terms of learning new skills. 

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in engineering or technology, but may be hesitant due to gender-related concerns or societal pressures?

Engineering has often been envisioned as a man’s world. It is a common mindset to see most engineers as men because the industry is physically and mentally demanding. 

With the change in the patriarchal mindset of society, women are getting equality in education and avenues are opening up in different fields. In recent times, women have been making significant contributions to the field of technology. 

As women continue to gain confidence and assertiveness in their careers, they will break the glass ceiling and create opportunities for themselves. This progress is leading to increased representation of women in senior leadership roles, dismantling the barriers that have hindered their advancement. 

To achieve this, women require access to support networks, training programs, and resources. To drive this transformation, building strong networks is essential.

What do you envision for the future of women in engineering and technology, and what changes would you like to see in the industry moving forward?

In the last 10-15 years, we have seen significant changes. Today, there are plenty of opportunities for women - who want to start a career in engineering and technology. 

Cloud computing, data, cybersecurity, software engineering, and AI/ML have opened new avenues for women in tech. I believe women bring unique perspectives and creative problem-solving skills. Moreover, the trending collaborative technologies enable women to work from anywhere on the planet. This strikes a perfect balance to manage personal- professional life. 

And also, many companies across the globe are working on improving their gender diversity ratios. There are numerous initiatives and employee resource groups established to promote women’s talent.

How can women engineers contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies in the automotive sector?

Women engineers are equally capable of contributing to the evolving automotive industry. The contribution to research and development efforts has grown extensively over the years. But still, there exists a stereotype that undermines the capabilities of women as technologists. 

When women are provided with appropriate support, they have highlighted abilities in building, operating, and maintaining sophisticated technologies. 

Women do experience quite a lot of constraints, but the reality is that women’s role in technology has been largely overlooked.

It is critical to recognize the contributions equally. The next step is to ensure that women are considered for leadership roles and feel confident enough to stay in a male-dominated arena.