From One of a Kind to Leader of the Pack
Manager looks to promote influx of women into R&D roles
In the beginning of my career, when I would show up at a customer’s site, they would smile a little bit, not expecting a woman – you know, these were typical Bavarian men, and not only that, but automotive engineers. Today, when I walk into the room, all eyes are still on me, but it is because I am the person with the answers – I’m the person leading the team. Now, customers will request me for a job because when I come into a meeting, I get results.
Today, when I walk into the room, all eyes are still on me, but it is because I am the person with the answers - I'm the person leading the team. And I get results.– Bettina Fischermanns, R&D Project Manager
STANLEY® Engineered Fastening
As an R&D Project Manager for STANLEY® Engineered Fastening, I’m responsible for cross-disciplinary ideas and development in the very fast-paced, high-profile automotive sector. My teams take input from our automotive product managers and our marketing teams, as well as from our high-ranking automotive customers, and put all of this together to create systems that make production faster, more accurate, or more cost-effective. Simply put, we help the line work better, move better, move cleaner and faster. Best case scenario, we can do it all.
The emphasis STANLEY® Engineered Fastening puts on not just validating, but emphasizing, a culture of diversity is definitely responsible for my success in R&D. Stanley Black & Decker is for those who make the world – including our employees. We put a priority on a diverse workplace – diversity in all senses, whether that’s gender, language, background, what have you. We need more women in these jobs – there is only one other woman I see in my customer meetings – and we are taking an active role to bring women into these positions, just as we do to bring in diversity in other areas. Now, we have several other women coming along in our R&D, and that makes me very proud. Proud of what I’ve achieved, but also proud of STANLEY® Engineered Fastening.
We put a priority on a diverse workplace - diversity in all senses, whether that's gender, language, or background.– Bettina Fischermanns, R&D Project Manager
STANLEY® Engineered Fastening
In fact, that’s the most rewarding part of my job, working with our people. Part of it is being fully accepted, being part of a team. We think as a team, we work as a team, and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved together. Working with this group of people – it makes it worth it to come here every day.
For anyone thinking of going into R&D…if you like a lot of variety, always having something different to work on, and really stretching yourself, this job is for you. It’s a lot of work – it’s a big challenge – but it is also always fun. I absolutely love my work because I love my team. Just do it!