Celebrating Women in Engineering 2024 – MidPoint Edition

Data more specific to software engineers tells us some staggering statistics:

• In Europe, 19% of people in the software engineering and architecture functions overall are women.^[2]
• In the US, women account for 23% of software engineers, up 2% from the previous year.^[3]
• In Canada, women constitute approximately 25% of the tech workforce, but specific data for software engineers is similar to the US and Europe.^[4]

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED)^[5] was established to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women engineers, to promote gender diversity, and to encourage more women to consider engineering as a career.

The theme for INWED 2024 is #EnhancedByEngineering, hence Evolveum, as the vendor of midPoint, would like to honor the input of women engineers within our community. We reached out to women from our partner companies, who are experienced midPoint integrators and consultants, to learn about their experience. Namely, Manon from KNS in France,  Mana from  Nomura Research Institute Ltd in Japan, Catherina from COGNITUM Software GmbH in Germany, Viktória from Inalogy in Slovakia, and Yvonne from ITConcepts Professionals GmbH in Switzerland.

How are you involved with midPoint?

Manon: I am an IAM Expert at KNS in France.

Mana: I am an engineer leader at NRI Japan. NRI uses our experience and expertise in ID management and IGA projects to help our customers build their systems. Our team provides midPoint implementation and support services. In this context, I am responsible for two main tasks. The first is task is the acceptance test used to verify that midPoint works properly. By doing this, I strive to guarantee the quality of system construction and increase customer confidence in systems. The second task is the operational design. Specifically, I examine midPoint’s error detection mechanism, which enables the early detection of errors and improves system stability. I am also working hard to learn more about midPoint in order to further improve our services.

Catherina: I am an IAM Consultant at Cognitum Software in Germany.

Viktória: I work as an IdM Engineer at Inalogy in Slovakia.

Yvonne: I am a consultant and I am still new to ITConcepts and to using midPoint, but I am already absolutely thrilled with the possibilities this tool offers. MidPoint stands out for its intuitive usability and high customizability, making it particularly user-friendly for end users. My team at ITConcepts is simply great. The collaboration is not only professional, but also incredibly fun. A lot is offered for the employees, which further enhances the working environment. I am particularly proud that we already have three women in the IAM & ITOPS team. The diversity and positive work environment significantly contribute to my great enjoyment of working here. The combination of an excellent team, enthusiasm for midPoint, and the many benefits that ITConcepts offers make this workplace something very special for me.

What inspired you to pursue a career in software engineering?

Manon: I’ve always needed to understand how things work. I also like logical challenges and puzzles, so engineering and especially anything to do with software seemed an obvious path to follow when I had to choose where to direct my professional future.

Viktória: I am a technical type of person and have been fascinated by the essence of things since childhood.

Yvonne: I’ve always had a strong passion for IT and programming. I’m fascinated by how automation can simplify tasks, and I take great pleasure in building a functioning system from just a small piece of code. It’s uniquely creative and logical at the same time. The challenge of tackling real-world issues is incredibly motivating for me, as I love solving complex problems and finding innovative solutions. I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by inspiring mentors, friends, and my husband. His enthusiasm and the visible impact of his work further fueled my passion. My interest in mathematics and science also reinforced my decision to pursue this path. The ability to be creative while finding logical solutions makes engineering particularly appealing to me. The robust job prospects and financial stability offered by this profession play a significant role as well.

What has been the most rewarding experience in your engineering career?

Manon: My current experience at KNS, very clearly. Integrating identity management solutions is a very stimulating and exciting challenge every day. No two days are alike, and every project brings a new and interesting challenge. I’m constantly learning new things, and right now I’m working on improving my skills in midPoint thanks to the Evolveum training courses.

Mana: I am engaged in supporting constructions of authentication, authorization, and ID management systems. The most rewarding experience for me was when I successfully completed a customer’s system in the first project I was in charge of. I felt a great sense of accomplishment because my skills directly contributed to solving the customer’s issues. Additionaly, I was able to carry out the project in cooperation with the project members while managing them.

Viktória: Visible results of a job well done.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering?

Manon: Do it! Don’t be intimidated by what seems to be a man’s world. Women have their place in this industry. I’m meeting more and more women as the years go by, and it feels good. IT is a vast world, and you’re bound to find your way.

Yvonne: First, believe in yourself and your abilities. Engineering can be challenging, but your unique perspective and skills are incredibly valuable. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. Second, seek out mentors and role models. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and can offer guidance. Whether they are teachers, professionals in the field, or even peers, having a support network is crucial. Third, never stop learning. The field of engineering is constantly evolving, so stay curious and keep expanding your knowledge. Take on new challenges, learn from your mistakes, and continuously improve your skills. Additionally, don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. Your voice is important, and diversity in thought leads to better solutions and innovations. Lastly, find your passion within engineering. Whether it’s coding, building structures, or developing sustainable solutions, follow what excites you the most. Enjoy the journey and remember that you have the power to make a significant impact in the world. Believe in your potential, stay determined, and don’t be afraid to break barriers. The world needs more talented and passionate women in engineering!

Catherina: Do it! Engineering consists of wonderful fields with such interesting, varied, and fun jobs. Don’t be tentative about giving it a go; the inner critic trying to stop you is almost certainly just socialized diffidence and has nothing to do with your actual abilities. Engineering is full of opportunities and can give you loads of options depending on what you want and need in work and life, just search a bit and negotiate with potential employers.

Viktória: If you have a gut feeling it is the right path for you, get rid of all limiting beliefs and just go for it!