Industrial engineering offers fantastic career opportunities for women. Industrial engineers work in manufacturing, mining, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and beyond. Many also branch into innovation strategy, data science, and sustainability or work in the public and social sectors. This is according to Prof Sara Grobbelaar from Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 in an opinion piece for the Cape Argus in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June.
Sara Grobbelaar*
Observed annually on 23 June, International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the contributions of women in engineering and encourages more girls and women to pursue careers in the field. The theme for 2025 ‘#TogetherWeEngineer’ underscores the collective efforts of women engineers globally in advancing innovation and fostering positive change.
On this Women in Engineering Day, as we celebrate resilience, leadership, and progress, it’s important to reflect not only on the encouraging strides toward gender equity in engineering but also on why engineering—and industrial engineering in particular—is a fantastic career choice for women. While barriers to equitable access still exist in many spaces, the trends are moving in the right direction. Women are not only entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in greater numbers; they are reshaping them from within, bringing fresh perspectives and creating a lasting impact.
At my institution, Stellenbosch 肆客足球, the progress within the Faculty of Engineering over the past decade is a good example of this trend. In 2015, just 26% of academic staff were women. By 2024, that number had risen to 35%. Female undergraduate enrolment grew from 23% to 32%, and at postgraduate level, from 17% to 31%. Across the disciplines, there are signs of real change. In Chemical Engineering, women now make up 57% of undergraduate students—a complete reversal of earlier gender imbalances. In Electrical and Electronic Engineering—traditionally one of the most male-dominated fields—the number of female academic staff has nearly doubled, and female postgraduate enrollment has also grown significantly.
Industrial Engineering is a remarkably inclusive area of study and work, with 43% of academic staff now women—up from 26% in 2015—and strong growth in both undergraduate (44%) and postgraduate (33%) female enrolments. But the case for women in industrial engineering goes beyond representation—it lies in the unique strengths and opportunities the field has to offer.
First, industrial engineers design and improve systems that make things work better—whether that is in terms of speed, cost-efficiency, safety, or sustainability. From optimising patient flows in hospitals to transforming food distribution networks, developing change management programmes in a bank or streamlining logistics in large corporations, the work is practical and has a measurable impact on people’s lives.
Second, industrial engineering is a remarkably versatile career choice. It isn’t confined to one sector or industry. You’ll find industrial engineers working in manufacturing, mining, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and beyond. Many also branch into innovation strategy, data science, and sustainability or work in the public and social sectors.
Third, the field offers international flexibility. Unlike disciplines such as law or medicine—which are often bound to local qualifications, regulations and practices—engineering, and especially industrial engineering, equips you with tools and approaches that are widely applicable across jurisdictions. This makes it an excellent choice for women seeking geographical mobility in their careers.
Fourth, industrial engineering is inherently adaptable to changing career goals. You can choose your path, whether that is into technical expertise or one that emphasises business, operations, or leadership. The field blends mathematics, science, and data with business strategy, communication, and team dynamics. It’s about designing and managing how people and processes work together— ideal for those who enjoy solving real-world problems with both structure and creativity.
Last, pursuing postgraduate studies in industrial engineering offers numerous growth opportunities. We welcome people from a wide range of STEM backgrounds—I’ve supervised students with training in food science, medicine, and other applied sciences. If you’re looking to complement your existing knowledge with industrial engineering tools and systems thinking, a postgraduate qualification could open new doors. It’s an ideal way to build bridges between disciplines and to apply engineering methods to challenges in health, food, sustainability, and beyond.
In closing, women are undoubtedly making progress. The numbers speak for themselves. More women are studying engineering. More are teaching, researching, and leading. More are building companies, influencing policy, and mentoring the next generation.
Transformation isn’t just about meeting targets; it’s about shaping the systems, cultures, and opportunities that define what’s possible. This is where industrial engineering has something powerful to offer: the freedom to choose your industry, who you work for, where you live, and also what you do.
So, to all the women asking if there’s a place for them in engineering: know that not only is there space for you—there is a need for you. Our future in engineering is very bright indeed. ?
??*Sara Grobbelaar is a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch 肆客足球.
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