We continue to tell about students of the Belarusian National Technical University who break stereotypes and steadfastly go to their goals. Maria Nikitina, a student at the Faculty of Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship, the chairman of the primary trade union organization of the FMMP students, a member of the BNTU Council, and a future manager-economist, is an excellent student who solves dozens of tasks every day, from helping students to organizing events. We talked with Maria about her choice of profession, her studies, and why girls shouldn't be afraid to pursue a career in management at an engineering university.
– Maria, why FMMP and working with people?
– I have always been interested in how organizations work from the inside: how they make decisions, allocate resources, and build communication. Business administration provides this system of knowledge. Working with people actively allows me to apply my management skills right now, so studying and student life are inseparable for me.
As Maria noted, perseverance in negotiations and studying are skills that she has been developing since childhood.
- I have always been able to negotiate and manage my time effectively. At the university, we are taught to argue professionally, but the ability to listen is something I have always had. I do what I like. Sometimes I don't have much time to prepare for classes, but I try my best and pass all my exams successfully.
The girl is studying on a paid basis, but thanks to her perseverance, determination, and activity, she has received a discount on her tuition.
– If you could talk to a famous engineer, who would it be and about what?
– Definitely Elon Musk. I would ask him how he manages to establish communication between engineers, managers, and marketers when everyone has a different language and goals. For me, this is the most important skill.
If we talk about the strengths of a female leader in a technical university, Maria believes that they are often more empathetic: they have a better understanding of situations and people, and they know how to adapt and be persistent when necessary. According to the student, this is the best combination.
Today, the girls of our country are breaking the stereotype “engineering thinking is for men”, and Maria argued this as follows:
– When I entered, my friends were surprised: “You are a girl, will you be an engineer?” Now I know for sure: engineering thinking has no gender. We have a lot of girls at the FMMP who solve logical problems perfectly. The stereotype is broken by reality.
– In your opinion, why are more and more girls entering technical specialties?
– I believe that this is a conscious request of the times. The world is changing, automation is penetrating everywhere, and girls want to be competitive, fulfilled, and financially independent. Moreover, technical specialties today are not just about technology. They also involve analytics, management, logistics, and marketing, which are all areas of the humanities that intersect with technology.
Recalling the days when she applied to university, she says that she completed the process quickly and did not even think about any stereotypes.
– After a week of studying, I realized that this is what I want to do. Now I go to schools to talk about engineering education and tell them about BNTU. I especially emphasize to girls that they shouldn't be afraid or think that engineering education is boring. If you're interested, give it a try. I've never regretted it. I also always tell them that BNTU has a very active student life, so they won't have time to get bored.
Maria Nikitina is an example of what a modern student at BNTU can do: excel in her studies, lead the faculty's trade union organization, and serve on the university's council, all while being a person who genuinely loves her work. She didn't wait for stereotypes to fall apart; she simply went where she wanted to go and proved that management doesn't have a gender. If you're still wondering whether a girl should pursue a career in engineering, Maria's answer is a resounding yes.
