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Monthly Archives: March 2013

Corporate Social Responsibility – is there real value?

23 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by EngineerChic in Social Responsibility

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Business, Corporate social responsibility, McKinsey & Company, Social responsibility, Sustainable development

For those new to EngineerChic, I have previously been heavily involved in development work as a student with Engineers without Borders. Now working, I try to stay up to date with my Company is doing in the way of CSR and sustainable development. As an Engineer, we have a responsibility to Society to add value to it whilst protecting the environment (yes it does say that in the Engineers Code of Ethics), so this is a topic of personal interest for me.

This is something I have asked myself many times. Considering giant corporate multinationals with a glossy sustainability reports and CSR initiatives, one becomes a little curious on whether the content of those reports are really nothing more than cover-ups for what the Company extracts from Society rather than a true reflection on what they are doing for Society.  One has to ask oneself if there is real value to Society in a Company’s CSR initiatives.

Beyond CSR: Integrated External Engagement

This McKinsey Quarterly article got me thinking along a completely new line which now seems so obvious to me.  A Company engages with and contributes to Society in so many ways which don’t seem immediately obvious to external observers.  Firstly, it hires people – people who make up the individual cells of Society who depend on the Company for their livelihoods and happiness – along with that of their families. A company creates products or services for Society which add value to people’s lives.  A company can influence the economy or legislation of a Country and in some cases, have been known to change the political climate of a country, or the levels of corruption, debt or tax citizen’s of that country have to endure. In fact, a company influences Society a great deal more than many of us think they do.

Now I’m not saying that all of the companies with the ability to influence Society in the ways above are all adding positive value to Society. But as the McKinsey article argues, if a Company were to think deeply about how their normal operations and functions influence Society and then stream them in order to deliver the maximum positive value to Society, they for one would be able to make a far greater contribution, and also be able to show this in their glossy reports to keep the inevitable negative critics at bay.

So in conclusion, I say continue with the yearly party at the soup kitchen or orphanage, but also think about employment principles that truly support gender equality, mission statements that include environmental upliftment and company policies geared at weeding out corruption not only internally, but also within the framework of the country you are operating in. All this can easily be achieved without sacrificing shareholder value – in fact, they might even thank you for improving the company’s image…

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Engineer Joke of the Week

21 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by EngineerChic in Engineer Joke of the Week

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I haven’t done this for a while… enjoy!

cool-cartoon-4559830-2_copy

Two Engineers on a date 

Two engineers were on a date at a swimming pool. They are sitting on the end of a diving board when the guy says to the girl, “I think we’re having a moment.” The girl looks to the guy and says, “We’d make a great couple.”

Engineering Luck

Engineers do not believe in luck nearly as much as they rely on it.

The Fridge

A Engineer gets home from work and sees a note on the fridge from his wife. “This isn’t working, I’m at my moms”. he opens the fridge and checks the light, then grabs a beer and feels it cold. The engineer thinks to himself. “The fridge works fine”

Chemical Engineer vs Chemist

What’s the difference between a chemical engineer and a chemist? Answer: about $50k a year

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Do Female Engineers Intimidate Men?

19 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by EngineerChic in women in engineering

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In response to a comment from a reader, I am inspired to write this post.  My anonymous reader says that although she is fiercely passionate about mechanical engineering and metallurgy, guys seem to prefer social girls over technical ones. Her last boyfriend even left her for someone who worked in the fashion industry!

At the risk of sounding like a magazine agony-aunt, let me have my two-cent’s worth on this topic.

pretty-nerdIn my personal experience and from what others have told me, guys generally tend to be very intimidated by a woman who is in a highly technical field.  Now here I am talking about guys who you’d meet at the gym or at a party, not guys at work (they are intimidated for other reasons but we’re not going to go there in this post).  I have had a guy at a part flat-out admit that I being an engineer was “actually quite intimidating”. Soon after that, he made some excuse and left to talk to a far more fun-looking girl.  I, for one am convinced that guys are intimidated by smart or technically-focused women.

So, what to do about it?

#1           Be more fun and sociable.

This is what most young, female engineers feel they need to do to attract men. Please girls, don’t think this way.  For one, we are not naturally the life of the party. Not only are we – for the most part – more inclined to being introverted or socially awkward, but we also have serious studies and careers to think about. We just can’t afford to spend three nights a week entertaining ourselves and others. But we also know its going to pay off…and soon!  If a guy can’t handle you the way you are – then its just not meant to be. Sorry.

 #2           Understand the man

Let’s take a minute to think about why a man might be intimidated by an engineer woman.  Our Society is a funny thing that tends to put us all into neat little boxes. That’s how it operates most efficiently. From the time we’re small children, little boys are given plastic screwdrivers and buckets, and little girls are presented with curly-haired dolls. This follows us our whole lives through as everyone and everything around us reinforces these ideals placing us under massive pressure to succumb to these norms as child-bearers and care-givers. Engineering women however – necessarily strong willed, independent, high-earning and technical – go against the grain of some really deep-seated beliefs.  Can we really blame these poor guys for fearing us?

  (My folks gave my sisters and I Lego and puzzles instead of dolls resulting in two engineers and one graphic designer. Thank you mum and dad!)

 #3           Move in the right circles               

As much as you don’t want to hear this, perhaps you would find more relationship success with others of your own species?  I don’t just mean technical men and engineers, but anyone who has a similar status in Society and earning-potential.  As most engineers are destined to become managers, a man may feel uncomfortable knowing that you are more likely to take care of him than him taking care of you.  The male ego should never be ignored (refer to the paragraph above) and as a professional, it’s only natural to want to nest up with someone you can relate to.  Although incredibly difficult to give up an existing relationship, if you are looking for a new one perhaps consider hanging about the chemical engineering building at lunch or getting your friends to introduce you to an up-and-coming businessman.  Word of advice: as tempted as you may be, stay away from the management consultants! Trust me; it’s just not worth it.

 #4           Timing, timing, timing

These days, as the world moves away from traditional notions which made early-marriage a necessity, professionals –men and women – are choosing to get married later on in life.  Young, successful professionals realize that the world is theirs for the taking and no parent or pastor has the sway to force you to settle down early anymore.  This means that us young, career-focused ladies may have to change our ideas of being single or dating (instilled by our conservative mothers) and embrace our extended freedom and youth!

 This is a double-win for us. Not only will we have complete freedom to chase our careers and dreams without the burden of kids and a husband, achieving more success in life as a result, but when we do decide to seriously look for a mate, we will be more mature, sure of who we are and what we want, and will – if we’re smart – have created a large network of industry professionals to launch our search! (Who said LinkedIn was just for job-hunting?)

So I hope to have hit home on some points which other young, professional women – especially engineers – have to deal with.  What’s interesting is that in many places in the world, women right now are at a turning point full of excitement and uncertainty. We are the generation to write the rules for women in this field so it’s bound to be a little rough as Society settles into having this new species of females around.

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