Many companies today are realizing that increasing productivity is a key factor in their success. diversity in the workplaceContributes to product innovation, global competence, and other successful corporate outcomes.
Many technology-based companies, especially those with broad product lines and global reach are actively seeking women and other under-represented groups to join their engineering teams.
Positions. They are aware that a diverse gender mix in research and design programs and on project teams fosters creativity, openness, and engagement and helps to solve problems.
“Engineers today are required to be multicultural in their outlook and perspective,”Thomas Loughlin is the executive director of American Society of Mechanical Engineers. “Our profession is far more interdependent and collaborative than ever before.”
Companies are making an increasing effort to promote diversity at work. Diversity is an organizational imperative at companies such as DuPont, 3M, and Siemens. This core strategy helps to generate new ideas and grow business units. Diversity is a key component of global companies’ ability to reach new markets and customers by understanding cultural differences. To interact with customers, suppliers, and partners around the globe, firms hire and train engineers.
Diverse teams allow companies to build affinities and relationships with customers to better understand their needs, preferences, and comfort levels. When it comes to designing products that are suitable for women, female engineers can be a valuable resource.
Volvo formed an all-female design team that was comprised of women to create the interior features of a car that would appeal to female customers, who account for 54 percent of new car sales at the Swedish automaker. The goal of the team was to create a more comfortable and simple car that would improve women’s driving experience. A headrest designed to fit ponytails was one of the other innovations.
ASME is a vital partner and resource to advance diversity and inclusion in engineering workforce. The Society also sponsors the Diversity Action Grants program. This grants funds to student sections in order to help minority-owned businesses solve design problems. Diversity Action Grants can also be used to sponsor K-12 STEM (science technology engineering and mathematics) education programs.
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