The role of women in technology and engineering continues to grow as industries increasingly recognize the value of diverse perspectives, technical expertise, and leadership. From manufacturing and electronics to advanced engineering services, women professionals are contributing significantly to innovation, problem-solving, and industry transformation.
To explore these journeys and inspire the next generation, National Skills Network-NSN in collaboration with Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) hosted a virtual panel discussion on “Role of Women in Technology and Engineering.” The conversation brought together accomplished NTTF alumni who have built remarkable careers across manufacturing, electronics, and engineering leadership.
The panel featured:
- Ms. P V Rajalakshmi, NTTF TTC Alumna (1979–1982), Technical Head – Mantra Leistung and Asia’s first woman Tool & Die Engineer
- Ms. Mahima Kulkarni, NTTF DTC Alumna (1994–1998), Program Manager – Value Engineering
- Ms. Susan Wilson, NTTF NEC Alumna (1985–1989), Business Head with more than three decades of experience in engineering services
Moderated by Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director, National Skills Network-NSN, the discussion explored career journeys, industry evolution, and the importance of strong technical foundations in building long-term careers.
The discussion also aligns with the spirit of International Women’s Day 2026 and its theme “Give To Gain,” which highlights mentorship, support, and collaboration to advance women across industries.
Through their experiences, the panelists shared valuable lessons on overcoming challenges, building technical expertise, and encouraging more young women to pursue careers in STEM and engineering.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. The complete panel discussion captures many more insights, reflections, and personal experiences from the speakers. Watch the full video to hear their journeys and advice in greater detail.
Q. When you look back at your time at NTTF, what skills or experiences shaped your career the most?
Ms. P V Rajalakshmi: NTTF was the starting point of a lifelong journey in engineering. The institute’s disciplined and hands-on training environment helped build both technical capability and personal confidence.
Key aspects that shaped this experience included:
- Strong focus on workshop-based practical learning
- Precision, discipline, and problem-solving skills
- Exposure to students from diverse backgrounds
“From day one, NTTF helped train us not only technically but also as individuals who could face real challenges in life.”
Being the only girl among 29 students in the class also meant learning to adapt and build confidence in a demanding technical environment.
Ms. Mahima Kulkarni: NTTF’s learning model emphasized the connection between theory and practice. Most of the learning happened through hands-on work in workshops, where students could directly apply what they learned in classrooms.
Key elements included:
- A balance between practical training and theory
- Hands-on experience in machining and tool building
- Learning to design and manufacture molds and press tools
“Whatever we learned in theory was applied in the workshop.”
Ms. Susan Wilson: NTTF provided the exposure to real engineering applications helped students gain confidence before entering industry.
Key takeaways included:
- Access to well-equipped labs and technical infrastructure
- Learning through practical experimentation
- Understanding how engineering solutions work in real industries
The practical sessions gave us industry-like exposure. When we joined companies, we could contribute from day one.”
Q. What challenges did you face while building your careers?
Ms. P V Rajalakshmi: The first challenge came even before starting the course. There were doubts about whether a woman could handle a highly practical and physically demanding technical program.
Some of the common challenges included:
- Being the only woman in the class and later in workplaces
- Adapting to physically demanding workshop training
- Overcoming initial hesitation from others about technical capability
“Sometimes we had to do a little more work than others to prove that we could do it.”
Ms. Mahima Kulkarni: The early stages of a career in manufacturing often involved being the only woman on the shop floor.Over time, focusing on learning and improving technical skills helped overcome that feeling.
Key lessons from this journey include:
- Focus on learning rather than worrying about perceptions
- Speak openly about challenges and look for solutions
- Continue building skills and qualifications
“If you speak up about a challenge, you often discover that solutions already exist.”
This approach helped navigate different roles and responsibilities successfully.
Ms. Susan Wilson: Many challenges in engineering careers are internal, constantly striving to improve technical and leadership capabilities.
Key areas of growth included:
- Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies
- Developing leadership and mentoring skills
- Building strong professional relationships
“The biggest challenge is always improving yourself; technically and as a leader.”
Q. What advice would you give young women in technology and engineering who are planning to pursue careers in these fields?
Ms. P V Rajalakshmi: Success in engineering requires resilience and continuous self-improvement. “Be ready to face challenges and constantly work on improving yourself.”
Rather than avoiding difficult situations, it is important to embrace challenges and learn from them.
Ms. Mahima Kuklarni:Commitment and seriousness about career choices are essential.
Important suggestions include:
- Be fully engaged in the field you choose
- Understand how your work contributes to the larger system
- Continue learning and improving skills
“Understand the bigger picture of how your role contributes to the organization and society.”
Ms. Susan Wilson: Women entering engineering today have far more opportunities, but preparation remains critical.
- Build strong technical fundamentals
- Develop clear communication skills
- Stay curious and keep learning new technologies
“Communication today is not just a soft skill; it is a career-defining skill.”
Also read: 66 Years of NTTF: Nation Building through Industry-Ready Talent
The journeys shared during the discussion highlight a clear message: engineering and technology offer significant opportunities for women who are willing to explore, learn, and take on challenges.
Across different decades and domains, the panelists demonstrated how strong technical foundations, practical learning, and resilience can shape long and fulfilling careers.
Their stories also highlight the important role of institutions like NTTF, which continue to equip students with industry-ready skills.
As conversations around gender equality continue to grow, encouraging more young women to pursue STEM and engineering careers remains essential.
