Women in engineering break stereotypes: “This field has no limits for improvement”

October 16, 2024
Although women working in various engineering positions in Lithuania is no longer a surprise, experts say that their numbers in the field are still insufficient. For several years, AB “Keliu prieziura” (Road Maintenance) has been actively initiating various programs aimed at promoting engineering professions, motivating students, supporting them, and enhancing the skills of existing employees. Additionally, the company contributes to increasing the attractiveness of professions in the transportation sector by offering additional benefits.

According to Lina Stasiuleviciene, director of the Human resources and administration department at AB “Keliu prieziura,” the company currently offers benefits for both current and future road maintenance specialists. The benefits include study funding opportunities, scholarships during their studies, and more. These contribute to strengthening the skills and knowledge of specialists and also attracts future employees.

In recent years, women have also shown interest in engineering jobs. One such individual is Dovile Pupeikyte, who is studying in the Road Engineering Master's program at VILNIUS TECH. She has been working as an engineer in the Jonavos road maintenance department for two years, contributing to the improvement of Lithuania’s road conditions.

D. Pupeikyte states that she knew what career path she wanted to take since the 8th year in school. “I never adhered to societal standards. When my teachers heard that I wanted to be a construction engineer, they urged me to reconsider because it’s not a ‘feminine’ profession. With the encouragement of my family and information available in the public domain I overcame my doubts. My relatives always supported me and my decisions, and I also started seeing more and more women achieving high goals in engineering. So I asked myself – why can’t I be one of them?” says the engineer from “Keliu prieziura.”

Changing the nature of a job can be a challenge

Engineering is a very broad field that provides opportunities to study and explore many different areas. This can make it difficult to choose the most suitable path, or to change it after choosing. For instance, despite initially studying construction engineering, Dovile later became interested in road engineering. Completing her bachelor's degree in construction engineering presented a significant challenge.

“Currently, I’m not only working at AB “Keliu prieziura,” but I am also studying in the Road EngiWithneering Master's program at VILNIUS TECH, and I am glad that the company supports my learning by allowing me to combine both activities and providing an additional scholarship as an encouragement to achieve my goals,” she said.

L. Stasiuleviciene emphasizes that a key aspect is the student’s desire to improve and pursue their career goals. “In light of this, the company develops student support programs by funding the studies of existing and potential employees,” she explained regarding the benefits offered at “Keliu prieziura.”

The most important thing is not to be afraid to make mistakes

Choosing a career path is not enough; studying, and often working at the same time, can require a lot of effort. Nevertheless, ultimately, the results achieved and the knowledge gained compensate for any mistakes made. According to Dovile, working in a job that she truly loves was one of her most important goals. “Now my job involves ensuring constant road maintenance, coordinating defect reports, managing insurance incidents, and calculating estimates. I also conduct patrol inspections, monitor standards, and oversee asphalt repair work. Sometimes, while substituting for the project manager, I prepare tasks for defect repair teams. I find this meaningful because we work every day to ensure safe travel for all road users,” Dovile reveals about her work at “Keliu prieziura.”

Her advice to all women considering a career in engineering is to not be afraid to make mistakes, as mistakes come with diverse experiences. “Also, don’t be afraid to be the only woman on the team or in your study group. Engineering is not just calculations or ‘dry’ science; it requires using various programs, innovations, and communication skills, so there are no limits for improvement,” she stated.

AB “Keliu prieziura” is a company employing over 2,200 various specialists. Its divisions are located in various regions of Lithuania, allowing employees to choose from nearly fifty locations. Additionally, the company offers a wide range of positions, which enables continuous improvement and engagement with actively implemented innovations and the latest road maintenance technologies.

Experts note that the job market has been highly competitive for a long time, and “Keliu prieziura” continually creates attractive opportunities and additional benefits for current and future employees. In this job, on top of financial incentives and other career opportunities, employees work daily with the country’s strategic asset – state roads of national significance – making a career in this field particularly meaningful.

Galerija

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Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
When starting your studies, it is not always clear during the first week where you can park your car or bicycle, which building your seminar will be in, or where you can eat or heat up your own food during breaks. To make settling into the academic year easier, we have prepared this memo. Student Car Parking: Students attending lectures at Saulėtekio al. 11 can park their cars in the lot located on Šatrijos Raganos Street. There is no barrier in this lot. How to find the lot: Driving from Saulėtekio al. – going up the hill past the roundabout and the university buildings. Or entering from Pragiedrulių, Mileišiškių sodų, or other streets onto Šatrijos Raganos Street – going down the hill before the roundabout and the university buildings. Students attending lectures on Plytinės Street can park in the lots located there. Students can enter the gated lot by tapping their activated student ID card at the terminal. Entrance to the lots is from Plytinės Street. Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) students, lecturers, and students or staff arriving at "Linkmenų fabrikas" can park in all lots. The barrier opens by tapping an activated student or staff ID card at the terminal. There are no dedicated parking lots for students attending lectures at the Old Town Campus (Trakų rūmai). Canteens and Cafes: Saulėtekis Campus: "Maisto imperija" (Building S2, 1st floor) – weighed food (you can build your own plate) – 1.70 € per 100 g, lunch of the day – 7.50 €, snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:00; Friday: 08:00–15:00. "ARC BISTRO" (Building S3, 1st floor) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 11:00–15:00. Plytinė Campus (P2, 1st floor): "Confetti" – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 09:00–16:00; Friday: 09:00–15:00. Old Town Campus (Senamiesčio rūmai): "Confetti" (Islandijos str. 3) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 07:45–15:00. Places where you can heat your own food in microwaves: When using microwaves, please maintain cleanliness, follow safety rules, and respect others: do not put in or heat items with shiny surfaces (e.g., cutlery, aluminum foil, etc.), do not slam the doors or other surfaces, wipe or clean the inside of the microwave or other surfaces (including the kitchenette) if needed, do not cut in line, and do not stop someone else's food from heating without permission, etc. Saulėtekis Campus: In the "Maisto imperija" canteen (Building S2, 1st floor), as well as in the Sustainability Centre (Building S5), and the 5th and 6th-floor kitchenettes in Building S6. Plytinė Campus: In the "Confetti" cafe (Building P2, 1st floor). Old Town Campus: In the Faculty of Architecture's 2nd and 3rd-floor kitchenettes (at the end of the corridor). AGAI: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette of the old building (near the Dean's office). It is planned that microwaves will also be available in the new building in the future. Linkmenų Campus: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette at "Linkmenų fabrikas". Library: Room 119, 1st floor. You can also make tea/coffee here. Places to leave your bicycle: Saulėtekis Campus: At special bike racks near the entrance to Building S2, and in the Central Building parking lot. Plytinė Campus: In the two designated bicycle shelters in the courtyard between buildings P1 and P2. Old Town Campus: At special bike racks near the entrances to each building. AGAI and Linkmenų Campus: At special bike racks near both departments. Library: At special bike racks near the entrance. Department/Building Abbreviations: Saulėtekis Campus (Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius): S1 Central Building (Administration, International Studies Centre, International Relations Office, etc.) S2 Classroom Building S3 Educational Building (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Business Management) S4 Classroom Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S5 Educational Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S6 Laboratory Building (Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Information Technology and Systems Centre, Academic Support Centre, etc.) S7 Laboratory Building Plytinė Campus (Plytinės str. 25, Vilnius): P1 or P Laboratory Building P2 Educational Building (Faculty of Electronics, Faculty of Mechanics, Faculty of Transport Engineering) P3 Educational Building Linkmenų Campus (Linkmenų str. 28, Vilnius): L1 Building (Institute of Building Materials) L2 Building (Road Research Institute) L3 Building L4 Building L5 Educational Building (Linkmenų fabrikas) L6 Educational Building (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute) Old Town Campus (Trakų str. 1, Vilnius): T1 or T Educational Building (Faculty of Architecture) T2 Educational Building (Faculty of Creative Industries) T3 Educational Building T4 Educational Building T5 Educational Building Old abbreviations that might still appear in some contacts: SNR – Senamiesčio rūmai (Old Town Campus) SRK-I – Saulėtekio rūmų pirmas korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus First Building) SRK-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Building) SRL – Saulėtekio rūmų laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Laboratory Building) SRL-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Laboratory Building) MAC – Saulėtekio centriniai rūmai (Saulėtekis Central Building) AGAI TLK – Antano Gustaičio Aviacijos instituto Treniruoklių ir laboratorijų korpusas (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute Simulator and Laboratory Building). Other Addresses: Kyviškės Airfield: Lakūnų str. 7D, Kyviškės Sports and Art Centre: Saulėtekio al. 28, Vilnius Library: Saulėtekio al. 14, Vilnius Lithuanian Maritime Academy: I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda. Thematic Reading Rooms in Faculties: Architecture and Creative Sciences Reading Room (Trakų str. 1, T1, 1.15, Vilnius) Technology and Management Sciences Reading Room (Saulėtekio al. 11, S1, C03, Vilnius) Mechanics, Electronics, and Transport Sciences Reading Room (Plytinės str. 25, P2, 179, Vilnius) Maritime Sciences Reading Room (I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda)
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