In this final part of a three-part series with Ondine Beaufils, senior engineering manager at Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics USA, LLC, Machine Design learns about the role that mentorship has played in her career. She also gives some advice for young women entering the engineering field.
We talked about the challenges women face in a predominantly male environment and emphasize the importance of building support networks. When reflecting on the biggest challenges she has faced as a woman in engineering, Beaufils identifies loneliness as a significant issue. “It's often that [I’m] the only women in a meeting or in a project team or one of few…so at times, even if…nobody is purposely leaving you out, you can feel like you're not really part of the group,” she said.
Beyond feelings of isolation, she says has encountered inappropriate comments regarding her appearance or behavior in the workplace. Many women face harassment, and unfortunately, some choose not to report it. To address this issue, she encourages anyone experiencing such situations to speak up. “Please do go and report it, because if you don't report it, it will never get fixed. It will never change. And there are some people that don't realize that what they say or their behavior is inappropriate or can hurt you,” she said
The Power of Mentorship
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of her journey in engineering. She recalls her experience being paired with a mentor through a talent development group at Safran early in her career. She has also benefited from various informal mentoring relationships through women's leadership groups, which helped her navigate the unique challenges of a male dominated field. These connections have been invaluable in understanding that she is not alone and that a supportive network exists.
She recommends that young women entering the field actively seek out mentors. Having a diverse team of mentors is incredibly beneficial, she says, advising to look for a cheerleader who can help with skills, someone who provides unbiased perspectives.
If formal mentoring opportunities are unavailable within a company, Beaufils suggests several resources for aspiring female engineers. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a fantastic resource, she says, emphasizing the organization’s training programs, network opportunities and formal mentoring initiatives. She also encourages seeking informal mentors within and outside one's workplace. She says that people are often willing to help. She also encourages joining organizations related to specific engineering fields to build rapport with peers and mentors.
Fostering Inclusivity in Engineering
As we discussed ways to create a more inclusive engineering environment, Beaufils said it is important to engage male allies. Inclusivity is a shared responsibility, and many men want to support their female colleagues but might not know how to do so, she says. She suggests women identify trustworthy male coworkers and seek their help in promoting inclusivity. Within meetings and project discussions, for example, if a woman feels her voice isn't heard in meetings, she can ask an ally to support her by bringing attention to her ideas. This collaboration fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and included.
Watch additional parts of this interview series with Ondine Beaufils.
Editor’s Note: Machine Design’s WISE (Workers in Science and Engineering) hub compiles our coverage of workplace issues affecting the engineering field, in addition to contributions from equity seeking groups and subject matter experts within various subdisciplines.
