Journey as a Woman in a Male-Dominated Field

Hi, my name is Aishe Bhattacharjho. I am studying BEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering. From the course name, you can probably guess—I’m the only girl in my class. Today, I want to share my experience of surviving and growing in a male-dominated field. I hope it gives you a little hope and encouragement to pursue your passion. 

I studied in an all-girls school and don’t have any brothers, so I was never used to being around many boys. On top of that, I’ve always been extremely introverted. Before starting my course, I never imagined I’d be the only girl in my entire module. 

At first, I didn’t have any friends. Everyone else seemed to help each other, while I often felt left out, lonely, and invisible. It was disheartening. I shared how I was feeling with a friend outside the course, and she gave me advice that changed everything. She said, “even though they aren’t trying to get to know you, you should be the first one to approach them. Try introducing yourself or simply just say hi.” 

So, I took a deep breath and followed her advice. I started approaching my classmates, introducing myself, and trying to start conversations. It wasn’t successful right away—some of them still seemed distant. I started to feel discouraged and even depressed to the point where I asked my module leader if I could change my course. 

She listened to me with understanding and compassion. We had a one-to-one meeting where I explained that I was struggling, especially with practical work, and finding it hard to fit in without any female classmates. What she said next really helped me shift my mindset; 

She told me that when she was a student, she was the only girl in her class, too—but she didn’t let it stop her. She focused on becoming friends with her studies. She reminded me that even if I changed courses, there’s no guarantee that things would be easier or that female classmates would stay. She also said that electrical engineering is a wide field—if I’m not good at practical work yet, I can explore other areas and improve over time. Most importantly, she assured me that she’d ask my lecturers to support me more. 

That conversation was a turning point. I decided to stay. Over time, I started to build connections. My classmates began approaching me, too, and now I have a cooperative and respectful relationship with them. As expected, the course itself is very challenging. It’s even harder when you’re not from the same educational background. The UK system is very different from what I was used to back home, and not having any initial friends to help made things tougher.

But I chose to ask for help instead of staying stuck. All my lecturers have been supportive—whenever I didn’t understand something, I asked again and again. If I still struggled, I emailed them and requested extra help. At the University of Hertfordshire, we also have several support services for our modules, and I used them too. It’s still hard, but now it’s bearable. I’m starting to understand the pattern and improve. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m better than I was before. 

To anyone struggling in a similar situation—know this: You’re not alone. Most of us feel lost at some point and wonder why we chose this path. But please don’t give up. Keep trying, keep asking, and keep showing up. Something great will come out of it.

Hi, my name is Aishe Bhattacharjho. I'm a skilled Electrical Engineer known for my analytical mindset and innovative approach to problem-solving. With a strong foundation in electrical systems and a passion for continuous learning, I thrive in dynamic, tech-driven environments. Outside of her professional work, I enjoy singing and dancing as hobbies, finding creative expression and balance through the performing arts.