Emerson Exchange 365

By Leslie Gordon

Statistics say that 40 percent of women with engineering degrees either leave the profession or never enter the field. This is unfortunate because a diverse work environment can help organizations better develop ingenious solutions to important engineering problems.

To help address this issue, the 2014 Emerson Global Users Exchange featured its first "Women in Innovation" luncheon this week. The luncheon was intended to help attendees network, share best practices, and start a dialog on developing personal competencies to engage, attract, and retain a diverse and innovative workforce.

Dr. Valerie Young, keynote speaker at the recent global Society of Women Engineers Conference, shared practical steps toward eliminating the "imposter syndrome"—feelings of inadequacy that persist even in the face of facts that prove the opposite is true. She discussed how overcoming the imposter syndrome helps engineers and other professionals reap more job satisfaction and success both within their roles and their organizations.