Posted March 8, 2022
In honour of International Women's Day, we asked Mary Wells, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, a few questions about her journey as a woman in Engineering. Since beginning her engineering undergraduate degree in 1983, Mary has gained experiences working in industry and academia. She shares her story to highlight the importance of gender equity in Engineering. Women belong everywhere.
Brief history of your career journey
I graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1987. After my Bachelor's degree, I worked in the steel industry for 4 years (3 years at Stelco and 1 year at New Zealand Steel in New Zealand). While working in the steel industry, I came to a crossroads about what I wanted to do next. Being in my early twenties, I was bored with my life routine so I decided to try something else. When I worked at Stelco, some researchers from the University of British Columbia were doing work in the lab which was being used in the steel plants. I decided to contact them and ask about opportunities for Graduate students at UBC.
I started the Master's program at the University of British Columbia in 1991 and was in that program for about 18 months when I was recognized for my academic success and was advised to transfer to the PhD program. While wrapping up my PhD, I was offered an Assistant Professor position in UBC which was a pretty difficult transition at that time, but I could not decline such an opportunity. In 1996, I graduated with a PhD in Metals and Materials Engineering and started teaching as a Professor at the University of British Columbia; I stayed for 11 years.
Starting a family made me decide to start searching for more opportunities outside British Columbia and this is how I got an Associate Professor position in the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering department at the University of Waterloo. I worked as a professor in Waterloo for 10 years, then transitioned into the Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences position at the University of Guelph for 3 years. In July 2020, I became the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo.
I loved being in academia and research, so going back for my Master's and PhD made me fall back in love with Engineering. There was more independence, freedom, and creativity that came with being back in school because everyday was different. On some days, I was teaching and other days I was conducting research. In the industry, things got stagnant quickly while in the University environment, things remain dynamic as you constantly get a renewal of people.
As a young girl, what were your goals and aspirations?
I was a very shy kid, so I was very introverted. Being the eldest of 4 kids, I knew I always wanted to do well and be successful. I wanted to be a historian because I loved reading stories, histories, biographies, and memoirs. My mum who was a professor in Physiology at McGill University was very clear about all her children going into STEM fields. My dad was an engineer as well, so that also influenced me to go into Engineering.
For my Bachelor's, I applied to McGill University, Queens University, and the University of Waterloo. I got into all three schools but never wanted to go to the University of Waterloo because I thought there was no way I could make it in Waterloo. Back then, the University of Waterloo was called the “MIT of Canada" and I did not have the bravery to accept Waterloo’s offer. I forever regretted that decision.
After my dad's death at the age of 13, I grew up experiencing my mum being a single mother of 4 kids. This really showed me that I had to create my own story and have a good job to take care of myself and my family. A lot of my experiences growing up taught me practical decision making.
Connecting my love for history and engineering, I have started the Waterloo Engineering Oral History Project - talking to the previous deans about their personal careers, the moment they arrived in Waterloo, what they thought about it initially, the experiences they had while in the dean position, and the achievements of the Faculty of Engineering during their term. With this idea, I would like to infuse our university spaces with history which will serve as an archive and provide brand heritage.
During your career progression, did you ever envision yourself in a Dean role?
I had never thought about being a Dean. When I started in my academic career, I started off just wanting to get tenure as a professor and because I connected with my students whom I felt an obligation towards. My career was more constrained at the University of British Columbia, I guess because they saw me more as a student versus someone on the outside. I believe that going somewhere new allows you to reinvent who you are, and I saw more opportunities externally.
I had been in the assistant professor position at University of British Columbia for about 10 years. The University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo were looking for professors and I applied. I interviewed for the position at Waterloo 8 months pregnant for my third child. Waterloo ended up hiring someone else during that particular search that I applied for, but a year later, another opening for an associate professor position with tenure came up and I received a call from Pearl Sullivan offering me that position.
I met the Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Guelph and he told me he was stepping away because his term was wrapping up. He gave my name to the Provost, I went for the interview and got hired as a full-time professor and Dean. This was how I transitioned into a Dean role and I absolutely love it.
In a male dominated field, what major qualities helped you break through the glass ceiling?
Grit and grace. The grit to persevere even though there are barriers ahead of you but doing it in graceful way. Having this combination really helps you to move ahead.
Also, if you have the right motivations to achieve your goals and chase the right kind of opportunities, people that will give you amazing experiences - don’t worry about the titles.
Any advice for aspiring and current women in engineering?
Go for it! Believe in yourself and push yourself beyond your boundaries. Although I was shy and introverted, I had to push myself to seek opportunities, ask questions, and work hard to acquire success. As a professor, there were many times I had colleagues explain concepts to me until I got it and that’s okay. We need more diverse voices in engineering. You can do it.