If you are a woman in the maritime industry the good news is that you stand out. And the bad news? It’s that you stand out.
That was a common theme delivered today during the “Women in the Maritime Industry” panel at the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers annual meeting here in Houston.
Starlee R. Sykes, a vice president with BP, discussed her years in the industry, from working on a pipelay barge to offshore deepwater projects, including working countless hours during the Deepwater Horizon disaster. She said that you must work hard and don’t expect any “Wizard of Oz.” Sykes added that women could indeed have it all, meaning a family and a rewarding job in the industry. Managing time is important, she said, when it comes to raising a family. Moms need to “outsource” things like laundry, shopping, etc., “stuff that takes time away from being with your kids.”
On the same panel Dr. Christine Wang, who took the long road from Shanghai, China, to the maritime industry, said the most important thing for women who are trying to make it in the male-dominated maritime world is to “believe in yourself and perform the best you can.” Wang, director of marine technology for ABS, said that having a mentor was very important and was instrumental in her success in the maritime industry. “Pay back to society. I had great mentors.”
Raquel Dos Santos with Shell said women in the industry should not get frustrated. “Life is not fair. Fighting the system is not worth it.”
The main message from Dos Santos and the other women on the panel was to work hard, take jobs that are important to you and the rest will take care of itself.
