In this episode of ‘Women of Eurovent’, Natividad Molero Villar, Product Manager at Carrier, gave some tips on how she maintains a good work/life balance and words of advice for women intending to join the HVACR sector.
What made you decide to pursue a career in HVACR?
My first work experience after graduating as an industrial engineer was as a researcher at the University of Málaga on a project related to solar cooling applications. It was a great experience, which also allowed me to start my PhD. I learnt a lot from the great professionals who led and worked in the research group.
What do you think we can do to support and encourage more women to join our industry?
We need to provide references for women working and leading in the HVAC sector. It is also crucial to continue working on children’s education to ensure equal rights and opportunities. Women must stand up for themselves, make their voices heard, and implement their style of leadership.
How do you deal with stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
It’s not always easy. It’s essential to maintain a balance between professional and personal life, enjoy what you do, cultivate healthy habits, and spend time with family and friends. I practice yoga and several sports, and I am also trying to integrate other positive habits such as meditation into my daily routine. These habits help me to remain calm even in stressful environments. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, travelling, discovering new cultures, and of course, I love a good meal.
How do you inspire others?
I try to be a reference of proactivity and encourage people to find synergies and win-win solutions. I also try to be an example of proactivity, confidence, and responsibility by praising the team’s successes. It’s important to promote creativity rather than fear of failure and to work together to build the best teams to achieve results.
What has been your most memorable experience in the HVACR industry?
Being part of Carrier’s HVAC Europe marketing team as Product Manager for rooftops and packaged units since 2018, expanding the portfolio with air handling units in 2023. Being elected as Chairperson of the Eurovent Certification Programme for rooftops.
Do you ever feel like you are being underestimated or undervalued? How do you deal with it?
No, I have not had this problem. I feel my work has been and still is well recognised. I am happy to work in a company (Carrier) where respect, integrity, and diversity are fundamental values.
Have you ever faced challenges in the HVACR industry because of your gender?
No, I haven’t faced any specific gender-related challenges in my professional experience. However, the HVAC industry remains a predominantly male sector and depending on the areas it is even more unbalanced. It’s important to keep working to break down stereotypes.
What is your personal definition of success?
Success is waking up every morning with peace of mind, with the feeling that you’re doing what’s best for yourself and the people around you. Having the ability to fall and get back up again and enjoy the moment. You have to continue to learn and grow in your personal and professional life.
How do you continue to learn and expand your knowledge?
Since I started working after finishing my Industrial Engineering degree, one of my main drivers was to keep learning. I completed my PhD and some specific training for project management and other topics.
At my company, Carrier, there are many opportunities to expand my knowledge. We have the Carrier Learning Portal and Carrier Excellence, a continuous improvement framework to drive operational excellence, that focuses on outstanding performance and provides a great set of tools to foster competency development. The way of working promotes learning and talent development. Sharing knowledge with colleagues is another great way to keep learning each day.
It is important to expand our knowledge in the technical and professional areas, but it is also key to keep learning to understand better who we are, why we do what we do, and our emotions and feelings. Currently, I am participating in a talent development program at Carrier that focuses on both professional and personal competencies, which is inspiring me.
What advice would you give to women thinking of joining the HVACR industry?
I encourage women to join the HVACR family! My advice is to be confident in your skills and competencies. The HVACR industry is a necessity that has improved our lives by keeping comfort, and indoor air quality in the spaces where we live and preserving our food. The sector requires skilled professionals, and it is important not to lose 50% of the population, females. This industry offers fascinating challenges for higher environmental standards and innovation.
How do you motivate others to embrace change?
We live in a constantly changing world. We need to see these changes as opportunities for growth rather than threats. I encourage people to work together, helping each other with honest communication and active listening. We need to learn how to move from advising to asking questions. This approach fosters open discussion where all voices are considered. Mistakes are also part of this journey; they provide opportunities to learn.
