Leading up to International Women in Engineering Day (INWED 2019) on Sunday, June 23, 2019, we are highlighting several SWE Members and Affiliates around the world who are working to advance STEM and champion diversity in the engineering industry. Here, we highlight SWE Member Marina Gessinger of Montenegro, Brazil.
Engineers have a huge role to play in transforming the future of the world. How do you plan to transform the future?
I work for John Deere, an agricultural company that has the important mission of help feeding the world. And with this, I am committed to contribute the best way I can to support this mission. We have a huge responsibility to provide good products and services to the society. On the other hand, as an engineer, my mission is to spread SWE’s message wherever I go. I truly believe that we have lots of benefits in having a diverse workplace environment.
How do you think engineering can help create a better, more promising future?
I think that with all the technology and research we have, we can build a more sustainable world, with more respect and care for the environment. We can influence the kind of place we want to leave for our future generations.
What inspired your interest in engineering?
When I was a child, I used to play with toys like cash registers, puzzles, etc. In high school I was good in STEM, and my parents always told me that I could be whoever and whatever I wanted. So this encouraged me to be an engineer.
What kind of engineer are you? Walk us through a “day in the life” of your engineering discipline.
I am a Quality Planning Engineer, in charge of developing purchased items for tractors, related to the commodities of Metal Fabrication (brackets, control supports, pedals, for example) and power module (exhaust pipes, mainly). I am a part of a cross-functional team that is involved in developing new items and guaranteeing their quality and design.
Is your SWE section or employer doing any outreach activities in the next month or so you’d like to share?
Yes, we are planning a D&I Workshop which will take place in August. More than 30 companies will be invited, and the objective is to have a group discussion of Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace and recruit more people to our SWE Section.
Do you have any words of advice to young girls who are hoping to #TransformTheFuture with a career in engineering?
Girls, you can be whoever you want, if you are committed to your objectives. You have the power to create the future you want to live in. Be your best version. Study hard, learn from those who have experience and do your best every day. Never stop dreaming!
Girls, you can be whoever you want, if you are committed to your objectives. You have the power to create the future you want to live in.
– Marina Gessinger
How are you or your section #TransformingTheFuture or celebrating and promoting INWED 2019? Share your events and stories with us on Facebook (@SWEorg), Twitter (@SWEtalk) or Instagram (@SWEtalk)!
Read about other SWE Members who are transforming the future:
Thank you for your words Marina, you inspire us every day! Pround of you!