On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March, we present an interview to two of our employees in the purchasing office: Head Sonia and colleague Amanjot who also performs receptionist functions. A brief dialogue with two voices to highlight the experiences and opinions of women in the world of work.
Do you celebrate the “Women’s Day”? What significance does this day hold for you, and why?
Sonia Dal Maso: I refrain from participating because, in my view, it has lost all significance.
Amanjot Kaur: Beyond just a festivity, I view it as a significant occasion to commemorate women’s rights and recognize the impactful contributions of women throughout history. It serves as a platform to advocate for women’s empowerment.
Can you briefly tell us about your career path and describe the main responsibilities of your role within MCS?
SDM: I joined MCS following the conclusion of my previous employment, which naturally led me to consider joining the company owned by my brother-in-law, Mr. Giorgio Vignaga, and managed by my sister, Mrs. Manuela Dal Maso. Initially, I worked in the assembly department, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the company’s operations. Over time, my responsibilities expanded, and I gradually transitioned to overseeing procurement activities. Presently, I am responsible for managing the purchasing office.
Additionally, I have taken on the responsibility, assigned by Mr. Alessandro Vignaga, of collaborating with production colleagues to plan customer deliveries. Concurrently, I am also training Amanjot Kaur to assume my role upon my retirement, which is scheduled for either October of this year or August of next year.
AK: Two years ago, I joined MCS as an assembler. With a background in accounting and ongoing studies in the field, Mr. Alessandro and Ms. Valeria have offered me a career progression towards employed functions.
I also follow the reception and since January of this year I am an apprentice at the Purchasing Office. Furthermore, I am responsible for translating content for the English section of the MCS DUE website.
What are the main challenges that, in your opinion, women still face in the world of work?
SDM: Although we are in 2024, women still have to face the preconception that it is their job to look after their children and family, and there is always a different assessment between men and women that is also reflected in wages. However, I would like to stress that there are no such problems in MCS.
AK: In the case of recruitment, women are still discriminated against by the factor of potential maternity. Additionally, in corporate or institutional leadership positions, women remain under-represented, with only a marginal increase compared to men.
How does the presence of women influence the working environment, in your opinion?
SDM: I believe women possess open-mindedness and versatility, valuable traits for team collaboration. Their tendency to multitask further enhances group productivity and adaptability in various work settings.
AK: In my opinion women bring innovation and inclusivity to teams, leveraging unique perspectives and problem-solving skills. Their collaborative nature enhances group dynamics, fostering creativity and effective solutions.
How do you manage your work-life balance? Do you have strategies or tips to share?
SDM: I enjoy my job, which keeps me quite engaged, but I’ve always managed to set aside some free time, particularly on weekends, to maintain a sense of personal space. I believe this ability varies from person to person, influenced by individual characteristics and preferences.
AK: I don’t currently see this as a problem. However, I strongly believe that effective communication and sharing of needs are essential, both in the professional and personal life.
Do you believe that MCS has supported and supports your professional growth? How?
SDM: Yes, of course. When I joined the company, I came from another sector and in the first phase I worked in the assembly department in order to know all the products and internal procedures of MCS, after which I went to the purchasing office where they supported me to understand the materials, the components and especially the needs of customers. I have always been supported by someone and I have always had positive responses from the management.
AK: I have always found availability in terms of work, and I feel comfortable expressing my goals. Following discussions with Mr. Alessandro and Ms. Valeria Vignaga, they proposed that I manage the translations of the website and learn the procedures of the Purchasing Office from Mrs. Dal Maso. At MCS, I have found welcoming people. Alessandro and Valeria themselves are very humble and always available to listen.
Is there a message you would like to leave to girls or women who are starting their career now? Is there a suggestion, a teaching or a sentence that inspired you in your journey?
SDM: You must possess commitment, perseverance, and a strong desire to learn. Continuously engaging and immersing yourself in tasks is essential. In my previous role at the commercial office, and now at MCS, I started from the assembly department to be able to gradually learn everything that over time has become a real professional baggage.
It’s important to build your own experience. I believe a career serves as the cornerstone for constructing one’s professional journey.
AK: During my interview to join MCS, I was impressed by what Mr. Alessandro Vignaga said, who repeated Steve Jobs’ phrase “stay hungry, stay foolish”. This phrase encourages us to maintain self-confidence and to pursue our goals with determination.
Every opportunity must be taken to learn something new. A person should not limit himself for fear of failure: failure is nothing but a new opportunity to know, understand and learn something new.
What changes do you expect or hope to see in the future regarding the role of women in the world of work?
SDM: We must reach a point where there are no more differences in evaluation, where women are not underestimated simply because of their gender. Much progress has been made, but there is still much more to be done.
AK: Referring to a previous answer, I hope that more doors will open for women: in leadership positions within organizations, in political representation, and so on.
Additionally, I believe education and schooling are extremely important, especially in certain parts of the world, because education broadens the mind. It helps you see things from different perspectives and understand that women are not solely meant to stay at home and care for children.