Diversity as part of social sustainability focuses on defying and broadening conventional gender norms and cultural limits. It not only invites to view things from a different perspective but can also provide innovation and progress.
About Alia
Alia Hall, a female engineer in the traditionally men-dominated automotive industry, proves to be a great example when it comes to contesting traditional expectations regarding gender roles. Being a post-graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany with years of academic experience and extracurricular commitment while working in various internships and working student positions, she created a firm basis of her leadership position at Continental Engineering Services.
Her Challenges
Nevertheless, she was also challenged during her career path, particularly during times of Maternity leave. A common challenge that a lot of women face are not getting opportunities because assumptions are made about their personal situation without asking them. However, during this time, she received substantial support by the Continental Women’s Network in Detroit, which not only inspired her but also guided and encouraged her during the challenging times of combining motherhood and work life.”
Her Advice
In her guidance for young women aiming for leadership roles, Alia places special emphasis on the significance of clearly defined career objectives and the identification of required steps to attain them. She advices them not to overanalyze the application process, recognizing that rejections can pave the way for personal and professional development. In response to inquiries regarding her greatest achievement, Alia articulates her core belief, declaring, “I am particularly proud of being able to keep my career focused working in areas that I am passionate about. This keeps me motivated and driven to go over and above.”
Her current responsibilities involve driving business growth in the realm of drivetrain electrification throughout North America, a challenge she eagerly tackles. In her video, she emphasizes that a confident appearance and a good social network of colleagues are important factors of being respected as a woman in the workplace.
