Did you know: Only 16.1% percent of engineers in the United States are women, according to 2022 data? While the U.S. has seen an increase in the number of women entering STEM occupations, according to the Society of Women Engineers, the percentage of women in engineering has increased at a much slower pace than women in other STEM-related fields, such as biotechnology and computer science. To recognize women engineers and to raise awareness to help women consider an engineering career, June 23 is widely celebrated as International Women in Engineering Day.
Two Indiana women who were recently named Conexus Indiana Rising 30 honorees for their early-in career success in advanced manufacturing and logistics sat down with us to tell us about their engineering careers. Meet, Riana Dozier, a manufacturing engineer for Goodwill Commercial Services of Central and Southern Indiana in Indianapolis, and Cydney Huey, a manufacturing engineer for BAE Systems in Fort Wayne.
Riana: In my senior year capstone class, my physics professor was an engineer and he suggested I do my capstone project on women in engineering, and I immediately fell in love with it. I got involved in robotics projects and got connected with a couple of mentors with whom I am still close today. I always loved working with my hands and understanding how things worked. I was always good at classes in the STEM field, and I even attended a few STEM summer camps.
Cydney: In eighth grade, my mom and I sat down to talk about what I wanted to do for a career, and based on the things I enjoyed, engineering seemed like a great fit. My high school offered Project Lead The Way engineering classes so I took those to get fully exposed to it. I was on the cheer team and then I saw my school had a robotics team and it sounded cool, so I thought hey why not try it? I joined the small team and instantly fell in love and learned so many great engineering lessons but also life lessons.
Riana: There is never not a busy moment. I work on the 38th and Sheridan project, which is a partnership with Cook Medical. I am responsible for everything within the clean room where we produce devices. So, I’m responsible for making sure the systems that maintain the building, HVAC, and our filters are in compliance. For day-to-day specifically, I am also responsible for setting up the equipment. I learn more about the equipment and I create detailed work instructions and drawings to make sure operators understand how the equipment works clearly.
Cydney: My job is different every day. I assess any plant issues whether there is something causing problems in production, a machine or part is having issues, or maybe a program. I also work on greenbelt projects and assess products to determine if there is a nonconforming part that needs repair, basically to ensure quality assurance and quality control for our customers.
Riana: I would say we’re small but mighty. Normally I’m the only woman and only woman of color in the room, but don’t be intimidated, you belong there and you’re in the room for a reason. The main piece of advice I would give is that the sky is the limit. Engineering is very broad and just because you study one type of engineering doesn’t mean you have to stay in one specific specialty.
Cydney: It’s a great support system in the engineering field, even outside of engineering people get excited to hear that I’m a woman in STEM, so I’ve just found that there is a great support system. I would say don’t be afraid. Even though it is a male-dominated field and I know women can feel they aren’t good enough or won’t be accepted, take the plunge and go for it. You have value to add.
Riana: For our site specifically, we are working with about 75 to 80% of operators that have been touched by the criminal justice system in some way. At Goodwill, we say that we are saving two lives, the ones of the patients that use the devices we create (with Cook Medical) and the operators that create the devices.
We have a mission with the “new beginnings” program where we offer resources to help people get where they want/need to be or even help them establish stability because a lot of our participants don’t know what it means to be financially literate. The project is in my neighborhood, it’s where I’m from, and this is my chance to give back.
Cydney: I am leading our women in technology program for our Fort Wayne location. Right now, we are in the development phase, but the goal of the program is to partner with some schools in the area. We are planning a curriculum around an 8-week program and female students will be able to come in once per week for a couple of hours to get exposure to various engineering specialties and principles. The eventual goal is to get more high schools involved and make the program longer.
Do you see similarities in your interests and the work that Riana and Cydney do as women in engineering? Learn more about other Hoosier makers and movers here, including other women in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries.
