Sounds exciting?
Find out more!
Our female engineersCombining theory and practice
In a global comparison, girls do not have the same opportunities as boys. They are more often discriminated against and hindered in their free development - around 130 million girls do not have the opportunity to attend school. In most countries around the world, the proportion of female graduates in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is less than 15 percent.
World Girls' Day draws attention to these grievances
It focuses on the needs of girls and the challenges they face. For World Girls' Day, we present three women from thyssenkrupp who have found their passion in the world of technology.
Where ideas and inspiration meet
Cai Chunbo works as a departmental Technique at thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology and deals daily with manufacturing process design, advanced process development, modernization of production lines, type integration of new products and repair & maintenance management. “I make sure that all technical staff participate in further training. Keeping up with the times, constantly improving and learning new technologies helps everyone,” says Cai.
However, Cai Chunbo also faces some challenges in her job: “During a project for the car manufacturer BMW, we were confronted with some difficulties: Delivery difficulties, urgent time adjustments, or new local supplier specifications and quality controls. Despite some challenges, the team successfully completed the project by collaborating with all parties involved.
“I find it very valuable to work together with colleagues from China and abroad. This is how ideas meet and inspirations come together,” she says. For Cai Chunbo, it is clear that there are no differences in terms of origin or gender at the technical level and advises future engineers: “Technical interest is particularly important, as is the motivation to want to solve problems. Good organizational skills and having fun controlling processes don’t hurt either.”
Process optimization with process engineer Yuan-Yan Shao
Yuan-Yan Shao knew very early on that she wanted to become an engineer. She realized her childhood dream and has been working at thyssenkrupp nucera as a process engineer in the field of chlor-alkali electrolysis since 2019. "Engineers are closest to the actual production process. They are the link between theory and practice," says Yuan-Yan.
And what tasks does a process engineer do? Unlike conventional engineers, Yuan-Yan Shao ensures that processes are optimized. Together with her team, she puts together suitable technical solutions and instructions according to the different needs of customers and carries out performance tests and project acceptance during the commissioning and operating phases. "It's a great moment when the system successfully passes the acceptance test," says Yuan-Yan. And if problems arise on site? No problem, Yuan-Yan Shao and her team are always on hand to help out.
What is it like to work in a typically male-dominated profession? "In some cases, customers or the construction staff on site have tended to trust their male colleagues," says Yuan-Yan Shao. However, with her specialist knowledge, technical drawings and other relevant construction documents, she convinces her counterparts otherwise.
Fei Guo's tip: always stay curious
The best moment for Fei Guo is when she can solve practical problems with her specialist knowledge and technical experience as a laboratory engineer. She has been working at thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components in Changzhou for around 7 years and is responsible for testing incoming materials and production processes for automotive camshafts.
This was also the case in the last project Fei worked on: "We identified a high risk of potential cracks in automotive camshafts. I was involved in investigating the relationship between the quality of cams and induction heat treatment." Together, Fei Guo and the laboratory team carried out a total of 256 test series and were ultimately able to find the solution to the problem. "We reduced the tension of the cams and were thus able to greatly reduce the risk of cracks in the cam," explains Fei.
But what qualities make a good engineer? "A very important skill is to recognize problems and take effective measures to solve them," says Fei Guo. Her advice for all future female engineers is: "Stay curious. Learn about new technologies, constantly improve your skills and knowledge and believe in yourself."