Inspiring The Next Generation: Why The Women of AMETEK SMP Want To Welcome More Female Engineers Into Their Midst
As the world of engineering advances, opportunities expand and access to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) and education for young women increases, so more and more women are giving serious consideration to pursuing a more technically minded career.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, leading metallurgical manufacturer, AMETEK Specialty Metal Products (SMP) has been actively seeking to promote the many opportunities and advantages that exist for women in engineering.
Women carry out a multitude of key scientific and engineering-related roles within five business units that make up AMETEK SMP across the US and UK. Responsibilities range from quality assurance and testing to process engineering; technical management to overseeing sales across multiple continents and markets.
As part of a wider campaign to highlight the essential roles female engineers perform at the AMETEK SMP businesses, the company published a series of interviews with prominent female engineers to showcase their different responsibilities and aspirations. The objective was to seek their thoughts on how and why more should be done to pave the way for higher numbers of female engineers to follow in their footsteps.
The interviews revealed several fascinating insights into life as a female engineer at AMETEK SMP. A common theme was how enjoyable the women taking part in the interviews found their work. Christina Ciganik, a Process Engineer at Hamilton Precision Metals in Lancaster, PA, is involved in the processing, operations, and science of engineering ultra-thin foil for critical applications in the medical and aerospace sectors. She says:
“I am a metallurgist at heart – a hardcore scientist. I like how metallurgy underpins everything Hamilton Precision Metals does. My role is a mix of processing, operations and science. In other words, lots of fun!”
Meanwhile, Cindy Freeby, Regional Sales Manager at AMETEK SMP, shares Christina’s enthusiasm for the sector. She has built up an enviable reputation for excellence in her field, which has resulted recently in being named the first ever female Fellow of the American Powder Metallurgy Institute. She adds:
“The Fellow award is a real honour for me and a real highlight of my career in the powder metallurgy industry. I am proud to be the first woman selected to become a Fellow. From a young age, women need to be exposed to opportunities in science and engineering, so they can see the prominent careers which are offered in technical industries.”
Another female engineer adding her voice in agreement with Christina and Cindy is Heather Perriman, Quality Inspector at Fine Tubes. Based in Plymouth in the UK, Fine Tubes produces precision tubes in stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys, working in partnership with US-based tube manufacturer, Superior Tube. For Heather, the attraction about her work is all about meeting the challenges presented by her role:
“I love problem solving. There’s a real sense of achievement when you’ve seen a job through from start to finish. I ensure that everything that leaves our tube mill is consistently the best quality.”
However, it is not just the daily challenges of their own work that inspire these talented women to consistently perform each day in a largely male-dominated discipline. Underpinning it all is the desire to ‘share the love’ and encourage more women to follow in their footsteps to become engineers at AMETEK SMP and other progressive companies like it.
Barbara Snowden works as Quality Assurance Technician at leading strip and wire manufacturer, AMETEK SMP Wallingford, based in PA, USA. She is passionate about helping other women enjoy STEM-based careers and has the following advice to offer:
“Encouraging young women to consider a career in engineering should start at the elementary school level and continue right through college. I believe that familiarity with and understanding of the broader field of engineering makes it easier for women of all ages to relate to and become interested in working in engineering.”
Robin Hofrichter, Quality Assurance Manager at nearby AMETEK SMP Eighty Four, which manufactures specialty metal powders for the automotive, industrial, medical, and oil and gas sectors, also has some sage advice to offer:
“Never be afraid of failing or ‘having a go’. If you can learn from your mistakes, it will become your key to success. Keep trying to find the right solution – it’s out there and can be yours for the taking!”
Final thoughts come from Bozhena Shemis, Metals Inspector at Hamilton Precision Metals, who wants to let all aspiring female engineers know the following:
“Don’t be afraid to go for it, you have to put yourself out there and show that you are just as capable.”
Wise words indeed.
AMETEK SMP encourages women to apply for any and all of its available engineering and STEM roles and offers excellent support and career progression for all engineering staff. Find out more online at: www.ametekmetals.com.
