Empowering Excellence: Celebrating the Trailblazing Women Engineers of Enerpac on International Women in Engineering Day

June 23rd marks an important day for everyone at Enerpac Tool Group as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. Across Enerpac around the world, a diverse group of women are part of our engineering workforce, something the leadership team has fully embraced and supported through initiatives such as the Women of Enerpac.

We recently spoke with some of our female engineers and workers about their experiences and challenges across the industry and how Enerpac has helped them become the talented engineers they are today.

Let's Meet Sam Teumer

Based at Enerpac’s Wisconsin facility, Samantha Teumer has worked in the engineering sector for over ten years, a career path which she has never looked back on. Now as an Industrial Designer, Sam gives us her thoughts on being a woman in engineering.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

My passion for understanding how things work and a desire to help people inspired my career in Industrial Design. Improving people’s daily lives through better, safer product experiences is truly rewarding.

Can you share a project or accomplishment you're particularly proud of in your engineering career?

One of my favorite projects or initiatives that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of was developing the new product design language for Enerpac. I had the pleasure to collaborate with our fantastic design team and envision a new standard for not just the visual appearance, but experiences that users have with our tools.

Have you experienced any moments of mentorship or support from other women in engineering throughout your career?

At Enerpac, I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of young professionals with families, as well as experienced moms who supported me as I embark on a new journey to becoming a mom within this profession. This level of mentorship and support is a huge blessing and I am so grateful for this community.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?

I would advise young students today who are unsure of their career path to go out and seek job shadowing opportunities, as well as internships. The best way to understand if it is a good fit and if you are passionate about it is to test the waters and get exposure to professionals in the field. Even setting up a short call or interview with a field expert can prepare you for real-world scenarios and realities of the job you might not have thought of on your own.

Let's Meet Ana Gil

Acting as Global Project Manager in Madrid, Spain, Ana Gil oversees various projects, supporting our engineering team through her technical and mathematical skills.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

From a young age, I was fascinated by how things work. I was good in mathematics during school, which provided a solid foundation for understanding engineering concepts and solving complex problems. Furthermore, my mother, being an engineer herself, played a significant role in developing my technical skills and nurturing my interest in the field.

How do you see the role of women in engineering evolving in the future?

Women will increasingly lead and innovate in the engineering field, their visibility will help normalize women’s presence in engineering and encourage future female generations.

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a woman in the engineering field, and how have you overcome them?

Climbing the career ladder in a male-dominated field can be difficult, with fewer women in senior leadership positions. Continuous learning and professional development have been key to overcoming it.

I have often faced gender bias and stereotypes that question my competence and abilities, to overcome it, I have focused on consistently demonstrating my expertise and dedication through my work.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?

Don't let anyone say you cannot be an engineer. To be an engineer is not a matter of gender.

What do the Women of Enerpac have to say?

In what ways do you think diversity in the engineering workforce benefits innovation and problem-solving?

Women often have another way of seeing things, allowing us to provide different points of view that may not have been previously considered.

Are there any misconceptions about women in engineering that you'd like to debunk?

Many companies assume that hiring women will result in more absences due to their potential to become mothers. However, this is a misconception. Women often demonstrate greater commitment to their work because of these responsibilities.

How can the engineering industry better support and encourage the participation of women?

By providing opportunities that accommodate various schedules, such as intensive workdays or roles that are more family and work-life-compatible.

Establishing Diversity in the Engineering Sector

While misconceptions about women in engineering are improving, more can be done to promote a diverse and inclusive sector. Enerpac Tool Group has job positions available across the globe, and additional resources are provided to allow women to thrive in their careers as engineers.

Find the role that is right for you and join us in creating a diverse and welcoming industry: ?? https://careers.enerpactoolgroup.com/careers-home/