Sky Is Not the Limit, the Mind Is!

Why do women place a cap on their success? Is it by our own doing? Or is it a product of perceptions around the social constraints and gender biases of male-dominated industries? In most industrialized countries, there is an unambiguous political consensus that women should be a vital part of the labour market. Among others, numerous political initiatives have been launched to get more women into traditionally male-dominated fields, such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-related professions. 

Researched facts indicate that there is a substantial backlog for women. Even in OECD countries, only 24% of female students graduate from university in STEM subjects. Furthermore, among female graduates with science degrees, only 43% of women work as professionals in the physics, mathematics, and engineering spheres vis-a-vis 71% male graduates. Hence, the typically male-dominated industries have become the nucleus of public debate regarding initiatives for greater female participation. 

At Efficient Innovations, our main domain of work is Plastic Moulding, a conventionally male-dominated sector at the global level. With this article we are taking an opportunity to celebrate our female engineers who are a crucial part of our organization. Each of them has a unique story to tell. They also have interesting advice for girls and young women considering their future career path, as well as on the opportunities that exist in the segments of polymers and engineering.

Radhika Sawkar, Sr. Project Manager

 “My job involves working closely with project teams, stakeholders, and clients to mandate project activities, help stakeholders optimize planning budgets and resources, troubleshoot the injection moulding process and product ambiguities, streamline NPD, and minimize the Time to Market. I also undertake and assist with internal research projects, innovation in IM initiatives, train and help resources for the organization, and lead and manage RCA activities where required.

Being a Mechanical Engineer, I have always had a keen interest in my chosen major. Looking out for research areas and pursuing them to their logical conclusion has always been the intellectual thrill I seek out in addition to work and study. From such a point of view, EIPL has been very welcoming and offered me the freedom and flexibility to conduct research. Getting opportunities to be a part of a large range of businesses and obtaining first-hand experience of engaging with and leading cross functional teams across the world has been an unparalleled experience. The road less travelled has made all the difference.

Talking about female engineers, I’m not sure why there are less women in STEM in general. Once you find your niche, you are always alone, and that should not make a difference. It should be insignificant if we are a minority or majority. Our focus determines our achievements. As Qui Gon Jinn said in Star Wars.: “I have found it advantageous to keep my focus on my purpose of this journey.””

Unnati Rathod, Lead Design Engineer

“I am a Polymer Engineer by background with an experience of over 9 years in the plastics industry. I have been working with EIPL for the past 5 years in the design department. My job involves, well, everything: Starting from designing the component to its deployment. I would say my work is both rewarding and challenging at the same time. I like the fact that I have to work from the office as well as the factory as I like to get on the practical side of things.

“All my previous jobs were in the quality department, where I worked on the shop floor. Design engineering has helped broaden my perspective with respect to what goes behind the scenes. I got opportunities to work on a wide variety of projects, and the kind of support and freedom of work that Efficient offers is just commendable. EIPL always encourages learning, and there are always more than a few new ideas to ponder with.

Although I am the only female member in my department, neither the management nor my male colleagues treat me any differently. My opinions are heard, and, more importantly, valued, something that works wonders for my self-confidence.

My advice to any female wishing to make a career in STEM would be to remember it’s not going to be a cakewalk. You will meet all kinds of people throughout your professional journey. But with persistence and your survival instinct, you can make a bright career.”

Rutuja Runwal, Project Manager (Mould Health Review)

“My role at Efficient is a multi-pronged one. It involves conducting technical performance reviews for IM, EBM, IBM and ISBM moulds. Then, there is handling of mould health review projects for Southeast Asia region, sharing capex budget and relevant information for critical projects. Refurbishment, replacement, and maintenance planning for future risks, forms an important part of my job as does communicating with top management, procurement professionals, and stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted production supplies.

Talking about the work culture at Efficient, I feel it is very supportive towards female employees. I have never felt unsafe or overlooked professionally. In fact, the voice of female employees is relevant and heard seriously by business owners.

When I decided to take up polymer engineering as my chosen field, I faced headwinds which said this is a male-dominated profession. Working in this field proved this is a myth.

If you are passionate about your work and good at it, nothing can stop you, no matter your industry.”

Sonali Mohite, Dy Project Manager

“I started my journey in this field in 2007 as I was fascinated by the industrial revolution in the field of polymers. It’s interesting to see the domination of polymers in every field, right from the medical to automobiles and beyond. I look forward to developing my career with continuous learning of the injection moulding process and evolving smart technologies.

Joining Efficient has been a great experience as we get to handle many interesting projects with new challenges. Work here has been providing opportunities to deep-dive and learn not only about the injection moulding process but also on the other functional areas such as Operations, Logistics, R&D, Production Planning and more. I am happy to have the opportunity to work with Team Efficient. The guidance and mentoring from my team members have helped me grow and become a better professional. The team has always provided the flexibility and support to develop new skills that will help me build professional confidence.

Though there are many women employed in the polymer industry for quality and design, the same number was less in production. The manufacturing industry was considered more favourable for men due to the working conditions. As the industry evolves, it presents many more opportunities for both men and women to explore their career choices. As someone has said: Finding your passion is the key to your success! Being driven by our passion will only help us reach our career goals.”

Aarti Dung, Project Engineer

“I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a post graduate diploma in Operations. Currently, I operate as a Project Engineer at Efficient where I handle multiple global projects for our clients. I also look into internal factory projects focussed mainly on printing optimization over moulded plastic components.

I still remember my first day at Efficient, when I was introduced to the team. The atmosphere was optimistically positive, and everyone, including the HR, my manager, as well as all the colleagues tried their best to make me feel comfortable in the new workplace. Starting from that day, I feel I’m constantly improving. The team is always open to sharing knowledge and extending a helping hand whenever I need it.

I feel the main reason women don’t choose a career in the male-dominated sectors is the stereotyping of certain jobs by the society as specific to a gender. For example, a male performing household chores is judged negatively by the society as such tasks are typecast as those to be undertaken only by females. Same goes for women working in the manufacturing sector. When I took my first shop floor job, I was super scared whether I would thrive in this field just because of such wrong stereotyping. However, I’m glad I stuck to my decision, taking it as a challenge. I have not looked back since.

The key to survive and thrive in any field is your passion and dedication for work. And plastic moulding is no exception. If you excel at what you do, success is meant to follow irrespective of what stereotypes people associate with the sector you work in.

When I started my journey, there were quite a few well-wishers who stood up for me. I request every woman to stand up for other women the same way.”

Akshata Sawant, Project Engineer (PMP Certified)

“At Efficient, my role as a Project Engineer involves being the glue between the various cross-functional teams working across the globe, and closely monitoring the project constraints to make sure that the stakeholder demands are met, and the project is deployed successfully.

Being a Mechanical Engineer with an inclination towards project management, I always knew my career would involve working majorly with male counterparts. Such perceptions emerged from my belief that male candidates get a general preference for project-related roles. However, at Efficient, we have a fair number of females working as project managers. It feels really good to be a part of an organization which gives opportunities to females who want to make a place for themselves in a field like plastic moulding. I have learned a lot during my time here and there is so much more to learn that I look forward to. The scope is simply endless.

For anyone who looks forward to making a career in the STEM related professions but are unsure of how their career graph would turn out in this industry, I wish to say that when you go into a male-dominated industry, it takes an initial bit of courage to do it. But once you take the plunge, you don’t even think it is male dominated. It is a rewarding industry to work in, an industry that is always changing. There is always a better way of doing something, and it is nice to be a part of that.”