Science is a human world
Alstom is committed to creating equal opportunities for all and encourages women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Danny Di Perna, chief Operating Officer at Alstom, sat down with Frederique Kalb, Managing Director of the Rolling Stock and Components organisation to talk about what makes Alstom an attractive workplace for female engineers.
What do you believe is an attraction for our industry and our company, Alstom, for top female engineers?
Danny: We both feel that diversity and inclusion is very critical, a very important part of the recipe that makes Alstom a world-renowned railway player and keeps us on the cutting edge of railway technology, capability, science and project execution for our customers. What do you believe is an attraction for our industry and our company, Alstom, for top female engineers?
Frédérique: It is a very critical question, because we want to increase the number of female employees in our engineering and science organisation in Alstom. Firstly, it requires a very strong management commitment: we need to raise awareness among our managers, fight against obsolete gender stereotypes and foster a culture of equal opportunities. Secondly, I think it is extremely important to have female role models in managerial positions. For example, in my train development organisation in Saint Ouen, France, we have around 40% women in my management committee as well as a pipeline of female talents coming through. And, finally, I would like to say that science and engineering is not ‘a man’s world’, it is not an inevitability, it’s up all of us, to make change happen.
"In my work, I have never met the idea that something is not possible for me just because I am a woman."
On getting more gender balance in Alstom, what do you like best about Alstom?
Danny: I graduated in 1989 in engineering and in my graduating class of about 180-190, there were probably less than 15 female engineers. That was, of course, a long time ago. On getting more gender balance in Alstom, what do you like best about Alstom? Is it the industry? Is it the technology?
Frédérique: I would also say that all along my 20 years of international career, I have alternated between different parts of the world and different positions in business, operational and technology management. Having a technical background in a technology and industry-driven group such as Alstom is a real asset when you join and it also opens many different opportunities and work experiences. I also think it is a privilege to be part of a team developing the technologies and projects that may be a real game-changer for some of the challenges we have today in our society and for our planet. So, altogether, the technology challenge and the work opportunities are clearly a big asset for joining Alstom.
Do you feel that science is a male-dominated territory?
Danny: That makes me think of another angle – when we are trying to solve pretty significant project or train system problems, I don’t see gender, I don’t see colour, I see individual people, well educated, bringing ideas to the table, helping to solve problems. You made reference to science being ‘a man’s world’, I don’t think like that, but do you believe that permeates across the industry or in Alstom and do you feel that’s the way men behave, that science is a male-dominated territory?
Frédérique: In my work, I have never met the idea that something is not possible for me just because I am a woman. I believe it all comes down to performance and motivation. I think as a woman you should not give yourself barriers and limits that generally do not exist. I am also very convinced that it is key for all of us, and women in particular, to develop networks and liaise with others who can answer some questions or doubts you may have in case you do meet barriers. Developing a strong network is absolutely key for all employees in the group and, in particular, for our women.
Are we doing a good job at Alstom of mentoring up-and-coming female talent?
Danny: I want to talk about networks from two angles – network upward and network downward into the education system. I think network upwards is very important – it helped my career to be sponsored and have a mentor – to have someone in the senior leadership ranks to help guide someone’s career, male or female. Are we doing a good job at Alstom of mentoring up-and-coming female talent?
Frédérique: I think we are trying every day to improve further, because I am fully convinced, exactly as you stated, that it is extremely important in developing your career. To give you an example, as a young engineer, I benefitted from such a mentoring experience, it has accompanied me all along my career and I am still today in contact with my then mentor. It is a very important path to develop your career. I am also extremely pleased to develop and follow young female talents across Alstom in the same way today, so it’s definitely a critical point to develop even further in our organisation.
"Science and engineering is not ‘a man’s world’, it is not an inevitability, it’s up all of us, to make change happen."
Danny: Is this the programme that you’ve initiated, called ‘Trusted Partnering Network’?
Frédérique: Yes, we created the partnership network with a small group of motivated people inside Alstom. It was conceived as an internal social network and an interactive platform, which is open to all. The aim is really to allow women across the organisation to exchange in an informal and confidential way with a partner anywhere in the Alstom world and outside of any managerial relationship, of course. It can happen virtually, or face-to-face, and various topics can be discussed, such as managing work-life balance, managing mobility, building your self-confidence or even adjusting to a new position. It is a practical way to accompany women in their day-to-day career building.
How do you see us attracting more and more young females into the science and engineering field?
Danny: With all of your career achievements and a very cool role here within Alstom, how do you see us attracting more and more young females into the science and engineering field already out of high school, into college, into university and then into the workforce?
Frédérique: At Alstom we develop technologies that are for humans and for society, serving public transportations, especially green energy ones, so definitely it is a very exciting human experience that we can all share together. I welcome everybody and in particular women in science and engineering, on all different courses and curriculums in university, to join us at Alstom and our partnering network in the future.
