Charlene Lochon, Product Manager at robatherm, has been involved in the HVAC industry for more than a decade. In this episode of ‘Women of Eurovent’ she gives some motivational advice to women intending on joining the HVAC sector.
Do you ever feel like you are being underestimated or undervalued? How do you deal with it?
At the beginning of my career, I had this feeling many times. The HVAC industry was not used to seeing women as engineers or in a representative position such as a product manager. It was even more difficult because of my young age. At the time that I saw it as a challenge, my goal was to prove that a young woman could be just as good and capable as a man. Not only to the rest of the world, but also to myself. First, you have to deal with the usual gender comments. My only response to these comments was silence and facts: they had a technical problem; I had the solution. When you have confidence in yourself and you know you are right, you are respected, and all the preconceived notions disappear. Nowadays, I don’t feel that problem anymore.
What advice would you give to women thinking of joining the HVACR industry?
It is a general advice, it doesn’t just apply to our industry. You always have to persevere. Despite preconceived ideas, if you give yourself the means, you can always succeed. Even if it takes time and repetition, you have to stay humble and know how to say no.
