I am Nidhi, born and brought up in India. I moved to the United States four years ago to pursue my master’s in industrial engineering from Northeastern University. Boston has been my home for the last four years, and it has a special place in my heart. I have always liked to explore more opportunities and my keen interest in travelling that have played a major role in making the decision to move to the U.S., leaving my family behind. I have always been fascinated by the way manufacturing facilities function and various kinds of machinery; this made me pursue a career in industrial engineering. Working for a medical device manufacturer is even more fascinating, when you are manufacturing products that are saving other people’s lives.
What drew you to medtech? When did you first know you wanted to be in the industry?
I joined Tegra Medical as a quality engineer intern. That was my very first job. It has been an interesting and wonderful experience since day one. As I learned more and more about the applications of the products we make at Tegra Medical, it drew my interest and then I just knew that I want to be in this industry and make it a part of my life.
What projects, past or present, have made you love what you do?
The project that I am currently working on, Tegra Medical Manufacturing Relocation, has made me love my job even more as it has helped me get exposure in the medical device industry, familiarity with the FDA regulations and the risk factors associated with the devices we manufacture for our customers and patients.
What projects are you most looking forward to?
I have seen our company getting more inclined toward building automations to increase the capacity and meet growing demands of the customers. I am looking forward to projects related to this and strengthening the connection between us and our customers to accept the new automated processes in an efficient manner.
What are some of the barriers women face in today’s medtech industry?
As it is very evident, the medtech industry is still male-dominant. I come from a culture where women are told that they don’t have a place in manufacturing industries, it is a job that only men can do. But here in the U.S., I have noticed that we are heading toward the right direction where people don’t look at gender when they are reviewing qualifications and skills to hire someone for a job. If 100% of the population follows this, we will make a huge difference in the medtech industry in the coming years.
Describe your biggest leadership challenge. How did you conquer it or resolve it, or what was the outcome?
When we first started planning the relocation project, I had a team working on this project with me, but due to organizational changes, the responsibilities changed when we just started the execution phase. It was very challenging when I felt like I was losing support and confidence. I learned to work with a different group of people in a short period of time and empower others to collaborate with me and help me when I needed it. The outcome is that I have built better relationships and developed trust with my team members.
Talk about your leadership skills. What is the most important lesson you have learned that has guided you in your career?
The leadership skills that I feel are the most important at a workplace are decision-making, communicating effectively, and conflict resolution. In the medtech industry, where success is key, it is important that everyone around you is motivated and always willing to help others no matter how busy they are. This also helps in building trust and makes you a good leader.
In your opinion, what more can be done to promote the greater participation of young women in medtech industry?
Hiring a person by just looking at their qualifications and not the gender would be a start. Organizations also need to offer training and other opportunities for young women that can give them more exposure and build their confidence. Equal promotional and leadership opportunities should be given to women if they qualify for it based on their skills and knowledge. Equal rights are not enough; we need to overcome the inequality that exists in our minds.
Why is it important for companies to be more inclusive and have more women in charge?
Gender diversity in a workplace always adds more perspective and ideas to fulfill the needs of a company. In all developed countries, the educational levels achieved by women are equal to men. So if companies are not inclusive, they are losing the potential value of knowledge, skills, and experience that women have. Thus, a mixed-gender workplace can utilize all the talent available to try to get more benefits in all terms.
