Dr. Valentina Monaco

“I was pushed since the beginning with comments like, “Why is a woman studying civil engineering?”, “Do you really believe you will pass the examination?” “What is a woman doing on a track?”. But these make me stronger. I do believe that a woman can do better sometimes. Why should we always stay one step behind? It is still a daily struggle, but I believe that you just got to keep demonstrating your technical competence. When you speak with vast technical knowledge, it wins people over.”

Dr. Valentina Monaco, Head of the Rail Infrastructure Department, TÜV SÜD Rail. 

Have you encountered any difficulties or challenges in your professional life given that you are a Woman?

It started first in University where I often heard the comment, “Why is a woman studying civil engineering?”, “Do you really believe you will pass the examinations?” The first time I performed a test on the tracks, the male workers looked at me and said, “What is a woman doing on a track?” But after we started working together, it was the best project I had. You have to show and demonstrate to them that you know more.
 

What is one advice you live by?

My parents told me this. I follow strictly by it and have passed it on to my son: Stay with your feet on the floor, never fly too high. Be always on the floor. Believe in what you do, don’t fly too high, because you have to be on the floor.
 

What would you consider to be your greatest Success?

Well, the greatest success is that my customers, wherever they are in the world, ask for me and give us the project because of me.