Reflecting on her experience in the engineering field, Yoke-Sing acknowledges that it remains male-dominated. “During a customer meeting overseas, they were quite taken aback to see me as the technical support specialist from the factory, given that they were expecting a man.” However, Yoke-Sing remains unfazed by such first impressions, as she considers them to be a common occurrence in engineering. “I’ve grown accustomed to it. On many occasions throughout my career, I’m often the only woman in the room during meetings and discussions.”
Nevertheless, Yoke-Sing stresses that these gender stereotypes contribute to the lower representation of women in engineering. She believes that it is crucial to nurture children from an early age to explore their interests in STEM. “Change starts at home, and parents should expose their children to as many STEM-related experiences as possible if they show an interest, irrespective of their gender.” Moreover, it is important to recognize that engineering careers encompass a vast array of opportunities. “Engineering extends beyond machine repair and on-site work. It includes office-based roles such as programming, designing, consulting, and much more. There is something for everyone.”
In ABB, Yoke-Sing enjoys equal opportunities alongside her peers. “‘Go with the flow’ is how I would describe my approach to my job. It is through challenging and tough experiences that you truly learn and grow.” Moreover, the support and encouragement from her superiors significantly contribute to her rewarding career with ABB. “I find great motivation in their achievements. If they can do it, I believe that someday, I can do it too.”
ABB welcomes and celebrates individual differences, fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. “If I were given a chance to choose again, I would still choose engineering.” Yoke-Sing hopes that more leaders will step up and leverage their experience, passion, and knowledge to inspire young women to join the engineering field.
