Opinion Article1 July 2021Deborah Mller is a young professional space engineer who has more than ten years of experience. The EHL Women in Leadership Virtual Expert Series was honored to have her as a guest. Deborah Mller, currently the Director of Innovation & Business Development for RUAG International, shared her passion about space and the role of women in this predominantly male industry.AdvertisementsThe space industryThe space industry is the manufacturing of any or all of a component of a system or space vehicle, including artificial satellites and launchers. It's a large market that has a direct impact on our daily lives. Mobile communication would not exist without it. Without the industry, we wouldn't be able to watch live TV, have a phone, and connect via 4G. We also wouldn't be able use a GPS or forecast the weather. There are many reasons people work in space: security, telecom, weather observations, human space missions, lunar explorations, test launchers, scientific research, and telecom.Deborah Mllers' career path inspires women in STEMDeborah Mllers dream since she was four years old was to be an astronaut. She was inspired to become an astronaut by Claude Nicollier (Swiss astronaut), whom she met with at the Johnson Space Center Houston. This was an event that she regards as one of the most memorable in her life.Deborah has a second passion: flying! At 15 she received her glider license (previous to her driving permit). After high school, she attended Euro Space Center's camp and wanted to be a rescue helicopter pilot. However, this was not possible because of an eye condition. Then, she began to think about other options. She then went to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and received a Bachelor and Master of Materials Science & Engineering. She was a key contributor to the creation of the first Swiss nano-satellite during her studies. She completed her Masters thesis and joined the European Space Agency's young graduate program. There she helped to develop and test coating materials for satellites. The second highlight in her life was her first job at the European Spaceport, French Guyana. It launched her career and taught her how to deal with the challenges.She has been working at RUAG Space Zrich since 2016. Today, her dream is to become an astronaut. She wakes up each day with the goal of changing or creating something in space.Q&A with Deborah MllerWhat was it that inspired you to enter the aerospace industry?An interest in understanding how the stars, sun and universe formed and function. To transform an idea into a real product that supports humanity and nature. This includes building satellites to study glacier cycles and to warn populations ahead. It also helps people navigate (rescuing the wounded, distributing supplies), etc. To search for life on other planets, to observe solar activity, and to create new fuel production opportunities through Marsian soil. Space is vast, untouchable, and a great unknown. Although we don't know how big the cosmos (black material) is, this allows us to continue our research.What are your passions? Are you able to attribute your success in your career to flying, music, and sports?Your hobbies and passions will help you learn valuable lessons and values. They also shape your character and help you deal with stress, failure, and emotions. You learn to recognize your limits and how you react to different situations in daily life.I have learned to cope with strong opinions from men (mostly army personnel) and not accepting women in the cockpit. To be able keep calm in emergencies (e.g., engine failure, electrical break-down), I had to develop clear and well-structured checklists. I learned how to take quick and precise decisions.Sport taught me how to deal with failure, to persevere and not give up, to show my best at certain times and to work hard to achieve a goal, even when it is frustrating and difficult. After a long, hard-fought period of hard work, you feel proud and overwhelmed. You learn to listen and to observe each other's game strategy. To work together in a team, and to give space to everyone, team sports teaches you to accept each other's strengths. Jungle and crazy mountain trails helped me overcome my mental and physical limitations, to improve my psychological skills, to learn how to respond to stressful situations, and to be more proactive in dealing with undefined problems. Music allows me to express myself creatively, to be able to perform with other musicians and to manage nerves.Do you see any differences in the work of male and female aerospace scientists?Yes, men and women think differently. They approach problem solving from different angles. Men tend to be more direct and straight-forward. However, they can get upset easily so it is important to have a clear structure. Women excel at multitasking. They have the ability to adapt leadership skills and empathy and can plan ahead more easily and are more open to changing. A woman's entire life is devoted to adapting to changing life stages (puberty and motherhood, menopause etc.). Because of these differences, it is crucial to ensure that there is a balance between women and men in leadership positions and top management. Women should not be selected based on quotas. This is bad for the image. However, they should be chosen for their performance and competence.Did you ever feel less valued or treated differently by men as women? Do you feel like you were treated differently as a woman and taken less seriously in your career?Engineering sectors are generally under-represented by women. My studies were hampered by old-fashioned thinking professors. My family and my environment are what gave me energy. My passion to be an astronaut and achieve my goals in aeronautics has driven my motivation. While I was working in the industry, there has not been any change at the engineering level. When you move up to more responsibility, the difference begins to make a difference.The number of women in top and middle management is low. Male managers tend to believe that women aren't "hardline enough", can't defend their points well, or too emotional for these jobs. These barriers are not helped by society's prejudgments that women aged 30-40 leave their jobs to start a family and lack of support from the societal system. I would like to emphasize that not all men should get in the same pot. This is a general statement that I have made based on my limited career experience.What are your key strengths that make you stand out in this industry as a woman?There is no one set of skills that will make you unique. It is your whole package. It is not enough to have hard skills. One should also consider character traits like emotional intelligence and soft skill. Interests and knowledge gained through volunteering, hobbies, and other activities. This knowledge will be a great asset for your future. My strong determination to follow my dreams, my motivation to change and my perseverance and discipline to not quit even when things get tough are the key factors that helped me stand out.Which were your most proudest moments in professional life?Professionally, it is when your work launches successfully from the European Spaceport. It is amazing to be able work on the original launcher, something I had always hoped to do. After completing my Master thesis at their laboratory in Noordwijk in the Netherlands, another highlight was when ESTEC called me to inform me that I had been selected to intern. Every milestone I've reached in my career has been a highlight. Even if it is a small step, you should celebrate your achievements.How can women succeed in leadership positions?Deborah's attitude and adviceStay true to yourself, be positive, take on new challenges, and get to know your self. It takes passion, curiosity, and discipline to achieve your dreams and make it happen. It is important to be able to communicate effectively and stand out as a woman. It is important to be able to change things and to learn from each situation. Even if it is frustrating, you should try failure. You will be stronger for it. It doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong if it doesn't work. It can actually give you a fresh direction!Deborah says that men and women have very different mindsets and ways of working. The fact that there are only 9-12 women in her department makes it less likely for them to be aggressive, resilient and empathic. Men are more likely to push and pursue until they get what they want. She thinks women should be more strategic, less resilient in certain situations and more determined to fight for their rights. Women have their own way of solving problems and finding solutions. She advises to find strategic sparring partners who share the same values and not to change your own views. Also, make sure to communicate your points according to how coworkers interpret and react to information. While companies should not have gender quotas in place, the hiring process should highlight his/her skills to ensure the best fit for the team.
