In her thesis Veronika focuses on inertial sensors that sense motion in space | Author: Jakub Rozboud
"When I applied to high school, I definitely did not want to graduate in mathematics and physics," recalls PhD student Veronika Junasová from the FEEC BUT. Her family first tried to talk her out of her later decision to study microelectronics. Today, the scientist encourages not only women to study semiconductor technology, but also all those who do not believe in themselves - for example, she is helping to organise the first annual TogetHER in Tech event, which will take place on 29 April.
Did you have a lot of female classmates while you were studying?
Not many women study microelectronics. Of course, it varies from field to field - for example, biomedicine is more popular among girls. It seems to me that once the name of the field contains keywords like medicine or chemistry, it attracts girls more. Probably because these are subjects common in high schools and so are more familiar to them. But purely technical subjects are not taught there, so they don't know what to make of them. Fear of the unknown plays a role. A colleague and I were talking about this recently, what it might be. There's no chromosome that says a woman is not cut out to study engineering.
Was your family supportive of you studying engineering?
They did during my studies, but they didn't really understand why I chose to study electrical engineering at university. When I started high school, I didn't want to graduate from math and physics. But during my studies, my professors encouraged me to do so, so I decided to go in the technical direction. But my family reacted - why don't you go do something normal? Why don't you go and study medicine? That reaction wouldn't have come if I was a boy.
Veronika encourages not only women to study semiconductor technology, but all those who do not believe in themselves | Author: Jakub Rozboud
Where did your interest in electrical engineering come from?
We have a bastard in the family. My uncle can fix broken things. I really liked it. But when I asked him how to do it, he said you wouldn't understand anyway. It's just a societal thing that women don't understand technology for some reason. And when he explained it to me, I really didn't understand what he was saying. But I was able to learn it in college. If the environment isn't supportive, you have to find your own way. I stuck to my guns - despite the perception that it's a field for men, I signed up for it. My family tried to protect me from disappointment, but I knew I could do it if I wanted to.
Did you have any doubts about your choice during your studies?
Yes. But not because I'm a girl. But I came from high school and I didn't understand most of the technical terms in my first lecture. I spent a long time googling, but over time you get the hang of it. It wasn't related to engineering - I had a general education and the same situation would have occurred if I had jumped straight into any other field. I made friends in electrical engineering. They helped me with technology and I helped them with math. By the time we got to undergrad, our levels were even.
You organize a lot of popular events. Do you want to open the doors to study for women?
We now have the Chips for Europe project, which aims to attract more students to the new field of Chip Design and Advanced Semiconductor Technology. It's part of a wider context. Europe is trying to become independent in semiconductor manufacturing and the Czech Republic is participating in this. But we have a shortage of experts. That is why we have prepared popularisation events in cooperation with CEITEC and FMI, which are aimed at reaching women.
Already on 29 April, the first edition of togetHER in Tech will take place - female students who are interested in technology can come to FMI or even to us at FEEC for a day. We have prepared a programme for them and will take them to the laboratories where they can try out instrument measurements or wiring basic electrical circuits.
Merkur perFEKT Challenge | Author: Jakub Rozboud
But that's not the only action you're planning...
There will be an interfaculty summer school for women. They'll be able to design their own sensors and try their hand at programming. It doesn't matter if they don't know what it's all about. A big part of the fear of going into engineering is the fear of the unknown. Can I do it if I have no technical background? But that fear is unfounded. And not just for girls, but even for guys coming out of high school who have no experience with technology. I also help organize the Merkur perFEKT Challenge or talk to visitors to the Night of Scientists.
Another benefit of technical studies - which both male and female students will probably appreciate - is good job placement.
For sure. I haven't met a student at FEKT who has had trouble finding a job. Many of them work part-time during their studies. I keep track of the thesis topics and almost 2/3 of the theses at Department of Microelectronics are based in industry. This has two advantages - students get an engineering degree and they are paid by the company they work for to work on their thesis.
How will graduates of the new field of Chip Design and Modern Semiconductor Technology be employed?
Many people probably don't know, but there are several companies in the Czech Republic that manufacture semiconductor chips and are constantly looking for experts. There is a shortage of people and so the salary corresponds to that - these are good positions and stable jobs. Investment is flowing into Europe - into Drazdan or Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, for example. Experts in semiconductor technology will be in great demand and will have a wide range of applications - they will find employment in smaller start-ups and large multinational companies.
You are currently studying for your PhD. Are you glad you stuck to your guns and studied Microelectronics and Technology?
Yes. Although I'm not directly involved in chip development myself, my PhD thesis focuses on inertial sensors that sense motion in space. I work with ready-made chips and apply them to circuits. You need to draw the circuit, create the board, animate it and program it. I specialize in new methods of sensor measurement and signal processing. I studied microelectronics and sometimes people think that only chips and semiconductors are made here. But it's a field that holds a lot of other possibilities. And that's great.
Do you plan to stay in academia and continue to popularize the study of technology? Or are you also attracted to working in industry?
Both. I want to stay in university but have more practical knowledge. In my experience, practical teachers are the best because they don't just teach theory. I want to give the best information to the students. And to make it more valid, I need to try it out. My goal is to combine know-how from both spheres and pass it on.
(mar)
Invitation to the upcoming togetHER in Tech event
There is no chromosome that makes it difficult for women to study technology, says young scientist Veronika Junasová
In her thesis Veronika focuses on inertial sensors that sense motion in space | Author: Jakub Rozboud
"When I applied to high school, I definitely did not want to graduate in mathematics and physics," recalls PhD student Veronika Junasová from the FEEC BUT. Her family first tried to talk her out of her later decision to study microelectronics. Today, the scientist encourages not only women to study semiconductor technology, but also all those who do not believe in themselves - for example, she is helping to organise the first annual TogetHER in Tech event, which will take place on 29 April.
Did you have a lot of female classmates while you were studying?
Not many women study microelectronics. Of course, it varies from field to field - for example, biomedicine is more popular among girls. It seems to me that once the name of the field contains keywords like medicine or chemistry, it attracts girls more. Probably because these are subjects common in high schools and so are more familiar to them. But purely technical subjects are not taught there, so they don't know what to make of them. Fear of the unknown plays a role. A colleague and I were talking about this recently, what it might be. There's no chromosome that says a woman is not cut out to study engineering.
Was your family supportive of you studying engineering?
They did during my studies, but they didn't really understand why I chose to study electrical engineering at university. When I started high school, I didn't want to graduate from math and physics. But during my studies, my professors encouraged me to do so, so I decided to go in the technical direction. But my family reacted - why don't you go do something normal? Why don't you go and study medicine? That reaction wouldn't have come if I was a boy.
Veronika encourages not only women to study semiconductor technology, but all those who do not believe in themselves | Author: Jakub Rozboud
Where did your interest in electrical engineering come from?
We have a bastard in the family. My uncle can fix broken things. I really liked it. But when I asked him how to do it, he said you wouldn't understand anyway. It's just a societal thing that women don't understand technology for some reason. And when he explained it to me, I really didn't understand what he was saying. But I was able to learn it in college. If the environment isn't supportive, you have to find your own way. I stuck to my guns - despite the perception that it's a field for men, I signed up for it. My family tried to protect me from disappointment, but I knew I could do it if I wanted to.
Did you have any doubts about your choice during your studies?
Yes. But not because I'm a girl. But I came from high school and I didn't understand most of the technical terms in my first lecture. I spent a long time googling, but over time you get the hang of it. It wasn't related to engineering - I had a general education and the same situation would have occurred if I had jumped straight into any other field. I made friends in electrical engineering. They helped me with technology and I helped them with math. By the time we got to undergrad, our levels were even.
You organize a lot of popular events. Do you want to open the doors to study for women?
We now have the Chips for Europe project, which aims to attract more students to the new field of Chip Design and Advanced Semiconductor Technology. It's part of a wider context. Europe is trying to become independent in semiconductor manufacturing and the Czech Republic is participating in this. But we have a shortage of experts. That is why we have prepared popularisation events in cooperation with CEITEC and FMI, which are aimed at reaching women.
Already on 29 April, the first edition of togetHER in Tech will take place - female students who are interested in technology can come to FMI or even to us at FEEC for a day. We have prepared a programme for them and will take them to the laboratories where they can try out instrument measurements or wiring basic electrical circuits.
Merkur perFEKT Challenge | Author: Jakub Rozboud
But that's not the only action you're planning...
There will be an interfaculty summer school for women. They'll be able to design their own sensors and try their hand at programming. It doesn't matter if they don't know what it's all about. A big part of the fear of going into engineering is the fear of the unknown. Can I do it if I have no technical background? But that fear is unfounded. And not just for girls, but even for guys coming out of high school who have no experience with technology. I also help organize the Merkur perFEKT Challenge or talk to visitors to the Night of Scientists.
Another benefit of technical studies - which both male and female students will probably appreciate - is good job placement.
For sure. I haven't met a student at FEKT who has had trouble finding a job. Many of them work part-time during their studies. I keep track of the thesis topics and almost 2/3 of the theses at Department of Microelectronics are based in industry. This has two advantages - students get an engineering degree and they are paid by the company they work for to work on their thesis.
How will graduates of the new field of Chip Design and Modern Semiconductor Technology be employed?
Many people probably don't know, but there are several companies in the Czech Republic that manufacture semiconductor chips and are constantly looking for experts. There is a shortage of people and so the salary corresponds to that - these are good positions and stable jobs. Investment is flowing into Europe - into Drazdan or Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, for example. Experts in semiconductor technology will be in great demand and will have a wide range of applications - they will find employment in smaller start-ups and large multinational companies.
You are currently studying for your PhD. Are you glad you stuck to your guns and studied Microelectronics and Technology?
Yes. Although I'm not directly involved in chip development myself, my PhD thesis focuses on inertial sensors that sense motion in space. I work with ready-made chips and apply them to circuits. You need to draw the circuit, create the board, animate it and program it. I specialize in new methods of sensor measurement and signal processing. I studied microelectronics and sometimes people think that only chips and semiconductors are made here. But it's a field that holds a lot of other possibilities. And that's great.
Do you plan to stay in academia and continue to popularize the study of technology? Or are you also attracted to working in industry?
Both. I want to stay in university but have more practical knowledge. In my experience, practical teachers are the best because they don't just teach theory. I want to give the best information to the students. And to make it more valid, I need to try it out. My goal is to combine know-how from both spheres and pass it on.
(mar)
Invitation to the upcoming togetHER in Tech event
| Responsible person | Ing. Zdeňka Koubová |
|---|---|
| Date of publication |