Meet Jasmine Shaw: engineer and STEM advocate who designs solutions to address technical and social problems

Jasmine Shaw: challenging the norm and breaking ground in STEM

Jasmine Shaw’s LinkedIn profile clearly showcases the young engineer’s profession and ambitions: engineer, changemaker & entrepreneur, designing solutions to technical and social problems.

For Shaw, hers began in high school when deciding what career to pursue. Instead of selecting a future that captivated a lifelong dream, she recognized her love for math and science and went into engineering because it would be a challenge. “I wanted to see if I could do this really hard thing,” Shaw told The Registrar magazine. “I chose this early on over other programs since I thought they wouldn’t necessarily provide the same challenge.”

At a time when clear efforts are made to break down structures that limit diversity, young leaders like Shaw have harnessed the opportunity to redefine professions, the marketplace, and even purpose.

To be challenged, and to see how far her ambitions could take her have become her defining characteristic.

Early pursuits

Born and raised in the national capital region, Shaw attended Carleton University. It was an easy choice and family affair as both of her parents also attended the same Ottawa post-secondary institution.

After graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, Shaw worked as an Engineer in Training (EIT) at General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada. She received her P.Eng designation from Professional Engineers Ontario in 2021, and now works as a technical project manager overseeing complex programs at Solace, an Ottawa-based tech company. She also sits on the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. “Even though I am currently working in a more engineering-adjacent field of project management, it was still important to me to have that designation,” Shaw said.

At Carleton University, she was heavily involved with student politics, having been active in the engineering society and other student associations. Underlying all of her extracurricular activities was Shaw’s commitment to create impact and challenge the status quo.

A few years after earning her undergraduate degree, Shaw challenged herself to take on larger initiatives, notably, pursuing a Maser of Applied Science in Technology Innovation Management. Her research on Technovation, the world’s largest tech entrepreneurship program for girls, was one of the turning points driving her into social impact.

“The research I did here [for Technovation] was the catalyst for many things,” Shaw said. “It was my first exposure to STEM entrepreneurship, and it inspired me to do something with this passion I had for helping women in the field.”

Witnessing the powerful impact that a dedicated community for girls in tech had on Technovation participants, Jasmine was inspired to create a community of her own. It was

2022 CCWESTT (Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology) conference in Halifax, N.S.

the spark for her to take up content creation and podcasting (she hosts a weekly show, #TechTalks, on Instagram Live), offering inspiration, sharing lessons, and creating connections for the next generation of women in STEM.

These activities are now one branch of Jasmine’s small business, whose overarching mission is to help women in STEM achieve their full potential.

On licensing and regulation

Shaw commends the regulatory mechanisms in place within engineering, as they act as guardrails where innovation can occur. Though innovation may be commonly thought of as boundless, she says that it should be thought of within the realm of what is viable, safe, and what can provide net positive benefits to the public.

However, Shaw explains that, sometimes, the pace of regulation may be at odds with the speed of innovation. Technology can be challenging to keep up with, and regulatory bodies, she says, need to mindful of the requirements they set for registrants, to avoid excluding anyone who can provide value to the profession where guidelines may not yet have been written.

Ensuring there are enough opportunities present that enable newer licensed professionals to advance in their career also remains important to Shaw. Many higher-calibre professional development efforts, Shaw says, appear targeted towards senior-level professionals who are well-established in their professions and demographically homogenous. Shaw is hopeful that more inclusive training opportunities tailored to the broad representation of engineers will be developed.

Remaining an inspiration

For girls and young women looking to get into the field, despite its hurdles, Shaw says that it always helps to remain passionate and dedicated.

Shaw says that while it is imperative to gain more diversity in the field, there may be bumps in the road. Many come into a field that is not necessarily inclusive, but their involvement is still needed to chart a trailblazing new course, she says.

“The advice that I would give to young women starting out in engineering is to really be persistent,” Shaw said. “Weave those traits into your work, in spite of those bumps in the road, and find your mentors and sponsors who will genuinely help you navigate those challenges.” Above all else, Shaw notes the importance of staying curious, as a means to constantly challenge yourself. She says that this lesson dovetails with defining leadership as action, as it acts as a compass to create positive change in a designated field.

If there are issues in the workplace related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, for example, Shaw says it is important to ask questions, which can challenge pre-existing assumptions. Getting to the issue’s root allows you to better understand the problem, before finding the applicable solutions.

“You’re helping to create the workplace of tomorrow for those who come after you,” she said. “It’s motivating that, even with the challenges, you’ll always be able to contribute to creating a better profession.”

Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn, Instagram (@jasmineashaw), or www.jasmineshaw.ca