GlobalFoundries: “It was hard to find women role models in Engineering.”

For 10th German Diversity Day on May 31, 2022, we spoke with Shanthi Siemes, Design Engineer at GlobalFoundries about her experience with inclusion, female role models and strong networks for women.

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."
(Mahatma Gandhi)

Why did you choose Dresden as the center of your life?

I came to Dresden to be with my German boyfriend. I fell in love with the city on my first trip.

How have you felt welcomed here?

I felt great! I don’t know how I would have made it without the support of my boyfriend (he is now my husband) and my colleagues. The weather has made it pretty difficult for me. I dream of sunny places.

What experiences do you remember the most or what impressed you the most?

I saw my colleague riding her bike to work. That’s when I said to myself that I, too, can ride my bike to work, and I started cycling. The women around me were all my role models. Through them I found my strength, my courage. I lived in places like Chennai and Singapore, which were flat. Dresden was hilly for me, so cycling on a hill was a new experience.

What makes Dresden and Saxony special to you and do you feel well received here?

I love the city for its beautiful old buildings, the walks and bike rides along the Elbe River.

The various museums, theaters and the numerous festivals. There is always something going on. The people are friendly and tollerant. I love hiking in Saxon Switzerland.

Is Dresden "home" for you and if so, why?

Yes, Dresden is my home. I found love, work and the meaning of my life here. I have matured here.

What role has your employer played in this?

Without the support of my colleagues, I wouldn’t be what I am today. They have inspired me. I learn something every time I am with my colleagues and work together.

What challenges have you faced as a woman?

I have been here in Dresden for 20 years and work as a Design Engineer at GlobalFoundries. I love my job and enjoy working in a global team on the challenges of technology nodes from 180nm to 12nm.

What bothered me in the beginning was that I was always the only woman in the meetings on the Dresden side. It was hard to find female role models in engineering.

What paths did you take to solve this problem or to strengthen the role of women?

I joined the GlobalWomen core team in 2019 and that opened a lot of doors for me. GlobalWomen (GW) is an employee:inside group with members in all GlobalFoundries locations. I found mentors and had the opportunity to attend the GlobalWomen conference and hear great speakers, as well as the prestigious SWE (Society of Women Engineers) national conference and female leadership development training where I connected with many interesting women.

These experiences led me to open the Society of Women Engineer SWE Affiliate in Dresden to inspire women to pursue STEM subjects. I love the work that the GW Youth Education Team is doing to get girls in schools and universities excited about the tech industry.

10th German Diversity Day
Let’s celebrate diversity: German Diversity Day celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022. The members and signatories of the Diversity Network and organizations in which diversity is practiced are flying the flag for diversity with creative activities.

all the actions registered for the 10th German Diversity Day: Aktionen 2022 – Für Diversity in der Arbeitswelt (charta-der-vielfalt.de)

Diversity Charter
The Diversity Charter is an employer initiative to promote diversity in companies and institutions. It was launched in December 2006 by four companies and is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, Minister of State Reem Alabali-Radovan.

The "Diversity Charter" is a voluntary commitment to " Diversity Management ". The Diversity Charter states that, as a result of globalization and demographic change, the German economy can only be successful if it makes use of the diversity of its workforce.

Silicon Saxony has also signed the Diversity Charter as 3,333 institution/companies and has thus committed itself to the principles of the Charter. Among other things, our "Diversity & Inclusion" working group has emerged from this voluntary commitment.

Next working group "Diversity & Inclusion"
June 15, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Topic "Intercultural Competence"
Link: Event Detail working group "Diversity & Inclusion" 

Links

www.gf.com www.charta-der-vielfalt.de/en/our-projects/german-diversity-day/

Image: GlobalFoundries