On March 24, the Union Leader hosted a virtual Women in Engineering Symposium. During this event, panelists discussed their own experiences and provided tips for other women to succeed in 2021. This is the second year TFM was a corporate sponsor for this event.
Panelists included Kristin Smith, Ph. D., MPH Research Associate Professor of Sociology at Dartmouth College; Nikki Delude Roy, PG Vice President of GeoInsight, Inc.; Laurie Perkins, PE Associate Vice President, of Wright-Pierce; and Heidi L. Caprood, PE Project Manager, of Sanborn Head & Associates, Inc..
65 participants joined the discussion by answering poll questions regarding their own work / life balance.
A conclusion that all agreed upon was that the expectations of workers in 2021 will be directly effected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. A common theme among the panelists was flexibility. Especially as working mothers, the women panelists felt that the outcome of all this is that people will continue to work schedules that work for them without the stigma previously attached to it. In the midst of the pandemic, companies have found that flexible hours and schedules can work, especially when balancing work and life. In a poll, participants were asked whether they feel they have a good work/life balance in 2021. 65% of participants said they feel so-so, while 19% said they don’t and 16% said they do.
It was a very interesting discussion to attend! Thank you to the Union Leader for putting this together!
