Women in automotive change the game of an exciting and very innovative industry. Discover an amazing career path and great advice from Lisa Brown, Ph.D, Volkswagen Group of America.
Source: Forbes – “I dedicate my dissertation to my 21-year old self, who thought her dream to earn a Ph.D. was impossible. Despite being a single mother, working through undergraduate school, I never let my circumstances discourage me from accomplishing my goals. ‘Dreams,” by Langton Hughes, encouraged me to hold fast to my dream. Although achieving this goal was over 20 years delayed, it is no longer a dream deferred.”
When Lisa Brown was an undergraduate student at Wayne State University with a young toddler in tow, she knew she wanted to get a Ph.D. after meeting a female professor who she thought was really cool and had one. But because Brown knew she first had to make a living to take care of her young daughter, she made a commitment to herself that, one day, she would earn her Ph.D.
Over 20 years later, she fulfilled that commitment – and conducted ground-breaking research that helps all women, and the auto sector writ large, on an issue that has vexed the industry for decades. So she dedicated it to her younger self.
“To me, this is an exciting industry, the auto industry, so I wondered ‘why aren’t more women, particularly young women, interested in the automotive industry?’ …So I thought this was a great opportunity to study what I’ve lived over the past 22 years, and then also to try to solve a problem,.” Brown told me on my Electric Ladies podcast recently. “
An automotive industry being reinvented needs innovative talent
Autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, new battery technologies, a new vision of the “car dealership” as more and more buyers purchase cars online, ride-sharing, new technologies for monitoring the vehicle in myriad ways. Those are only a few of the massive innovations hitting the auto sector, and many studies show that having a diversity of minds at the table is the key to successful innovation, and to keeping the dangers of “groupthink” at bay.
It’s particularly critical for the auto sector to have more women in leadership, because women buy 62% of vehicles today and influence 85% of car buying decisions. What’s more, women are natural innovators because, in the non-dominant role without traditional authority and budgets, they’ve had to find creative ways to access the resources and inspire, persuade and motivate people to achieve company goals.
Yet, the auto sector has struggled with diversity throughout its history. Today, there are more women in automotive leadership roles than ever, but they are still only 22.4%.
How do more women climb the automotive industry ladder? Here are 9 suggestions based on Brown’s trajectory, research and our interview:
It’s never too late
As Brown’s story of going after her Ph.D. 20+ years after college illustrates, it’s never too late to go for your goals and to learn more. Studies show that successful startup founders are over 40 years old, on average, too.
Invest in yourself
Brown earning her Ph.D. was also an investment in her professional development and her career. Julie Lenzer, Chief Innovation Officer of the University of Maryland and serial entrepreneur, did the same when she went back to school recently to earn her Masters in Machine Learning. Investing in yourself also means take care of your health, as well as reading books and learning new skills.
Keep your eyes open to hidden opportunities
When people talk about moving on to a new job, that means their job will be available. If people talk about a recruiter they know, ask for that recruiter’s contact information and connect with them on LinkedIn. When companies announce an expansion, look for their openings and executives to connect with.
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