An Investigation of Canadian Women Engineers: Exploring the Role of Educational Work Experiences in Shaping Career Paths

There are a lack of in-depth studies on the career paths of Canadian women engineers, particularly as they unfold alongside their male counterparts. This paper is part of a larger study designed to investigate the career paths of women engineers in the province of Manitoba. The study utilized both an on-line survey and in-depth interviews to explore key areas related to career success including training and development, mentorship and networking, work/life balance and job satisfaction. Preliminary findings presented here emphasize the value of educational work experiences such as cooperative and internship work placements for women engineers under the age of 30, particularly as they relate to the acquisition of soft skills. However, results also point to anticipation of traditional demands of motherhood which may impose future career constraints. Implications are drawn for engineering education programs