Growing up in a family of engineers, Sreelakshmi often faced the question, “Were you expected to take up engineering like your parents?” But to this, she responded, “It was definitely my choice, not theirs. I was very much interested in the subject.” Her mother’s journey in engineering served as a significant motivation for her. "She started as a mechanical engineer, but societal pressure pushed her into electrical engineering.” The notion was that it involved working in workshops, fields, and dealing with machines – supposedly not a good fit for a girl. Despite her experience, Sreelakshmi’s mom advised her to follow her passion. “She told me that I should go for engineering if I like it, no matter what others say. Girls can achieve anything, and we just have to be devoted and work extra hard to break through those inhibitions.”

Throughout her educational and career journey, Sreelakshmi encountered the prevalent stereotype that engineering is more suited for men. “Back in university, workshops often became a battleground for stereotypes. Girls were typically assigned roles like recording measurements, while guys claimed the manual work.” For Sreelakshmi, that was the first bias she faced, prompting her to question why girls couldn't perform the same tasks. “It’s a daily challenge for us, undeniably present, though not exclusive to certain sections.”

Despite the challenges, Sreelakshmi triumphed as one of the top three in her class. “I had to prove myself; it was a personal journey of learning and growth.” As a Customer Quality Engineer, she now analyses reported defects at customer sites, by identifying causes and suggesting improvements. However, doubts about her expertise based on appearance and years of experience persist. “Once, when visiting a customer’s site, there was scepticism about whether I was from ABB due to my appearance. I was asked questions like, ‘You only have three years of experience; how can you be an expert?’, a question that wouldn’t have been directed to a male engineer with similar years of experience.” Even proposing to conduct a test at the customer’s site raised doubts, with suggestions that someone with more experience should oversee it. “I had to repeatedly reiterate that I've been working with these products for three years, and I know them well.” 

While such incidents are not new to her, Sreelakshmi admits to feeling a sense of sadness, especially in the manufacturing unit where these experiences can be a regular occurrence. “It’s disheartening. Things do get better when we establish familiarity with a customer, but there’s an ongoing need to repeatedly prove myself.” 

Sreelakshmi joined ABB upon graduating with her Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Transitioning from university to her first role at ABB, what stands out most to her is the openness and accessibility throughout the organisation. “Regardless of your role or level of experience, there's a culture where approaching anyone in the team is welcomed. Despite being surrounded by team members with over 10 years of experience, they have been incredibly supportive and helpful.” Moreover, she emphasises being lucky enough to be part of a workplace that helps nurture her skills. “ABB instilled confidence in me to handle the work, and being able to complete it successfully, was the biggest learning that I've had in the first initial six months. It gave me the confidence to take up future projects. As a personal growth, this has been a great win for me.”

“These days, ABB is definitely working on getting more girls on board; I think it’s a good sign. ABB was one of my dream companies to work for, and so far, it’s been a fulfilling experience.”