International Women in Engineering Day is June 23, 2022!
At HealthTech Connex, we are celebrating our amazing women in engineering in our team who have been instrumental in driving innovation in brain health technology. From software engineering, quality assurance, research, to data analysis, they have played a vital role in driving our purpose forward – to transform ground‐breaking research & development into solutions that can positively impact brain health around the world.
This is the story of Shawna Lee, our Biomedical Engineer.
Why did you choose engineering as a profession?
I decided that I wanted to pursue biomedical engineering when I was in my graduating year of high school. I was very influenced by the classes I was taking at the time. My science teachers made me curious about medicine, chemistry, and biology. Many of my hobbies were artistic in nature, so I loved creative prototyping, designing, and problem solving. Outreach work as part of a global studies class made me want to pursue a career path where ultimately, I could empower and help others.
When researching career paths that would align with my goals, I came across the niche profession of biomedical engineering. It seemed to be the intersection of design, science, creative problem-solving, and impact that I was looking for. However, what really sealed the deal was when I saw how local biomedical companies were changing the field of healthcare globally. I wanted to be a part of that change.
Considering your experience so far, what do you love most about engineering?
When working with medical devices in general, there are a lot of constraints from regulations, so you always must work extra hard when problem solving to find solutions that you can implement. Seeing tangible results, whether they are results from clinical studies using our medical device the NeuroCatch® Platform, or even just watching projects being refined from their first prototypes to commercial models, is always my favourite part.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as a woman in engineering?
I think as a woman in engineering, sometimes I find myself being automatically more alert and self-aware regarding my career and work environment. It’s almost drilled into you to be on high alert, to question whether you’re being treated fairly because historically there are cases in this profession where many women have not been.
- Am I getting paid fairly in respect to male counterparts?
- Am I getting opportunities for growth at a pace that aligns with my ambition and skillset?
- Am I getting treated with respect and are my opinions being valued?
These are all check-in questions that I ask myself from time to time.
What advice will you give women who are interested in pursuing engineering as a profession?
Don’t be afraid to be ambitious. Be proactive and go out of your way to get the opportunities you deserve. There are also a lot of organizations/clubs like Women in Engineering that can offer mentorship and support as you go through university.
Finally, always be willing and open to learn and grow, because as an engineer you’re constantly having to adapt and shift perspectives.