Finding your place – Interview with Chantal van Doorn

Psychology
“At secondary school, physics and maths were my favourite subjects. Still, I hesitated until the very last moment: should I study mechanical engineering or psychology? In the end, psychology felt too vague to me; in engineering, you create something tangible. My mum asked, ‘Are you sure you want to do that? Isn’t it a man’s world?’”

Walking like a man
“After graduating, I worked as a Mechanical and Project Engineer at various companies, often as the only woman. At first, I tried to be just like the men. I even started walking like a man, and became tougher. But after a while I thought: this isn’t who I am!”

House from 1965
“In my last job as a Project Engineer, I missed working collaboratively. At the same time, my husband Ram and I had just bought a house from 1965 that needed a lot of renovation. I wanted more time to renovate and volunteer. I absolutely love renovating, my husband not so much! I started to think about what happiness at work means to me. My conclusion? More collaboration, balance, and room for my softer side.”

Creative work
“I now work as a System Layout Engineer at CSi. I design automated palletising systems for our customers’ factories and act as a link between sales and engineering. I work together a lot, and it’s a highly creative role: I’m constantly piecing together different solutions. I work part-time, which was a conscious choice. It’s great that CSi supports this. I’d give my happiness at work a solid 9 out of 10. The searching and restlessness are behind me. Privately, my husband and I support a local family through a volunteering initiative, looking after a two-year-old girl every other week. It’s lovely. And I still have time to mill out slots for all the new electrics in our home!”

Breaking nails
“Many women think they don’t belong in engineering. Or that they’ll end up breaking their nails, so to speak. I want to show that what suits you can absolutely be part of this world. Engineering has space for all kinds of people: social types, techies, hands-on makers, computer lovers, part-timers or full-timers.”

Indian cooking
“My ideal picture? Finish the home renovation, then continue to grow my career at CSi. Maybe take on a role as System Integrator or Project Engineer. Most of all, I want to enjoy going to work. My husband works as an Electro-mechanical Engineer. He’s an amazing Indian cook. And… he’s slowly getting handier with the renovation too.”