NAVIGATING THE MALE-DOMINATED ENGINEERING FIELD: CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY SELECTED FEMALE ENGINEERS IN DISTRICT 4 NUEVA ECIJA

Abstract

Engineering is a field that has long been associated with a male-dominated culture. This environment has a significant impact on women engineers, influencing their experiences and representation within the field. This phenomenological study aimed to unveil the challenges and experiences of female engineers working in a male-dominated profession. Through this study, the researchers sought to help inspire and mentor future generations of female engineers and encourage them to pursue careers in engineering. A qualitative study was conducted to determine the challenges experienced by female engineers in their work environments and to identify the strategies they used to cope with these challenges. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather data from the selected participants, with the aid of audio recordings to ensure the authenticity of the information analyzed. A total of ten female engineers from District 4, Nueva Ecija were selected as participants. The participants of this study were carefully selected based on specific criteria. Data were collected after the validation of the research instrument and were analyzed carefully and thoroughly by the researchers. The participants’ responses revealed that discrimination encountered by women engineers is gradually lessening over time, and that various platforms exist that benefit female engineers in their field of employment. However, the findings also indicated that women engineers continue to face discrimination related to perceptions of their inherent ability compared to male engineers, which results in the loss of job opportunities. The findings further revealed that women engineers cope with these challenges by proving their ability to excel in their work and by addressing and eliminating stereotypes associated with women engineers in their field. Gender stereotyping in male-dominated fields such as engineering remains relevant today. The study found that stereotypes negatively affect women engineers’ opportunities for employment and career advancement. Managers often favor men, creating a work culture that discourages women and reinforces the stereotype that engineering is a male-oriented profession. Women engineers recommended advocating for themselves and demonstrating their skills as strategies to address these challenges.