Interview with Wen Wen (14/02/2012)

1st PART: Woman’s history comprehension/understanding

•     Can you present yourself in a few words and explain us what is your job/responsibilities?

My name is Wen Wen, I joined the company in March 2000, 11 years ago. I’m doing quality control in the team of Zhao Xiao.

•     How did you came to engineering and sciences?

Actually my major is not chemical but pharmaceutical. My mother is a nurse so I personally have been influenced by my mother and that’s why I choose pharmaceutical as my major.  I wanted to work at the hospital to provide medicines for the patients. After graduation I realized that it was difficult to find a job at the hospital, so I applied to non hospital organizations. Fortunately I was hired by Tipco, chemistry is more or less related to my major.

•     What do you like in this company?

I like team work, here there is a real team work culture. An other reason is that we have very good relations between the staff. Finally, I learn a lot here. When I joined this company I was trained for 2 weeks by a specialist group,  in the head office of Bangkok. We learn every day in our work and sometimes we have the opportunity to go to technical conferences (Shanghai...)

•     Did you have to face any difficulty as a woman in your studies/in your job? Or do you think being  a women facilitated it?

I did’nt encounter any difficulties during my studies. We where as many girls as boys in pharmacy. In that field there is sometimes more women than men.

•     What are the specific qualities required by your job?

I think responsibility, motivation and good mood are important to do this job well.

•     What are your everyday motivations?

Family responsibility is the biggest motivation.

•     Did you had any experience of mobility?

No, I’ve always been here! Except for seminars.

•     How do you conciliate professional and personal life?

I never felt that there was any contradiction between my job and my family life. I have a 16 month baby, my husband also works in this city. My mother takes care of my baby during the day.

•     Could you tell us professional realizations you are proud of?

I have many satisfactions in my job. A few years ago we did many experimentations in the lab and on the road and we succeeded in developing a new product, we felt very proud. In fact every time that we have successful results in our testings, I’m proud.

•     What is your next challenge (professionally/in your association)?

I believe in this business. This industry will keep on developing new products and new technologies. My challenge is to keep up learning, watch the market and catch new technologies.

2nd PART:  General debate on woman engineer: differences and new things a woman can bring in a male team

•     Do you think men and women work differently? Could you give us concrete examples (personal works, project works)?

In this industry there are more men but more and more women are joining this field. I don’t see any obstacle for a woman to do my job.  We have many procedures, if one test has to be done in this period of time then a man or a woman would do it in this period. In my job I have no chances to see differences in the way men and women are organized  because we all follow a strong procedure. I think that the way of thinking is maybe different. Men would like to go to the depth of any subject. They are normally better than women in analytical thinking. Women have a narrow view.  Men are more realistic, female are better in theoretical analysis.

•     Do you think that a mixed team is helpful for working atmosphere and/or is linked to team performance?

For sure, it’s better to have diversity. We have a Chinese expression which says  “you will never be tired if you work in a diversified team”. If a women work with boys, she will be more happy and more motivated. 

3rd PART:  Vidéo

•     Short representation

Hello everybody, my name is Wen Wen, I joined Tipco asphalt since 2000. OU lab department has really good team work. We always do our best to solve problems. And we will always be proud and happy for success or whatever we achieve.

•     Which advice would you give to any young women who hesitate to start engineering studies?

Personally, I think if you study hard enough during your university or High school education, that will pay, it will give you very good conditions for your future job.

•     What has been your biggest satisfaction as a women engineer?

To live is to learn, so we always keep learning something new.

•     What has been your biggest difficulty as a women engineer?

It’s for sure that for whatever job, we will always meet some kinds of problems or difficulties. Such kinds of difficulties we don’t need to worry too much about since if we are determined to try our best to solve it, the final job will be a success.