Every day, women are taking on a more prominent role in the field of healthcare technology, demonstrating that diversity brings talent to the sector. At Hersill, Amanda Cuesta Fragoso, a sales representative, tells us about her experience.
Talent as a driving force behind healthcare technology
The career path of Amanda Cuesta Fragoso, a national sales representative at Hersill, who holds a degree in Biotechnology and a Master’s degree in the Pharmaceutical Industry specialising in Business Development, reflects the role played by the younger generation in the sector’s evolution.
Although certain fields of engineering and technology have traditionally been dominated by men, Amanda explains that her professional experience has been shaped by a challenge shared by many young people starting out on their careers: proving their abilities: “The main challenge was to gain the trust of others and show what I could contribute. The best way to do this has been to work hard, prepare thoroughly and keep an open mind so that I can continue to learn.”
Her experience shows that professional growth is built on preparation, commitment and a willingness to keep learning.
A diverse range of equipment, better solutions
Health affects the whole of society, which is why it is particularly valuable for female professionals to reflect that diversity too. “It is important to have more women working in health technology because the more diverse the teams are, the better the solutions they develop. Health affects us all, and it is positive that the people who design, develop, market and make decisions about these technologies also reflect that diversity,” explains Amanda.
When teams bring together people with different backgrounds, this creates a wealth of perspectives. It is not a question of whether men or women contribute more, Cuesta points out, but rather of bringing together different experiences, viewpoints and ways of tackling challenges to create technologies that better meet the needs of healthcare professionals and patients.
Diversity brings tangible benefits to the sector:
- It encourages innovation and creativity.
- It enhances decision-making.
- It enables a better understanding of users’ needs.
- It contributes to the development of more effective and humane solutions.
Awakening and inspiring a vocation
One of the major challenges remains that of increasing interest in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Young people are often unaware of the enormous impact these professions have on people’s lives. Introducing them to science and technology from an early age through hands-on experiences can spark their curiosity and help them discover new career opportunities.
For Amanda, the most important thing is to encourage everyone to pursue whatever motivates them and sparks their curiosity: “If we can help more girls discover just how exciting science and technology are, many of them will naturally choose to pursue careers in these fields,” she explains.
In her personal experience, her interest in science was sparked during her school years. Her chemistry teacher managed to instil a passion for a subject that went far beyond mere formulas, showing how scientific knowledge helps us to understand the world and solve real-life problems.
The inspirational role played by teachers is crucial, but so too is that of the great female scientists who, through their careers, demonstrate just how far talent can take you. For Amanda, it is important for girls to be able to see a diverse range of role models. “When a girl meets women working as engineers, researchers or technology professionals, she finds it easier to imagine herself in those roles in the future,” she says.
In Spain, we have leading figures such as Margarita Salas, one of the most important biochemists in our history, whose research in molecular biology had an enormous impact on international science and paved the way for generations of researchers. Alongside her, figures such as Sara Garcia Alonso, a biomedical researcher and the first Spanish woman to be selected as a reserve astronaut by the European Space Agency (ESA), demonstrates that science and technology offer opportunities to transform knowledge into advances that benefit society as a whole.
A future full of opportunities
Careers in science and technology offer a wide range of career opportunities. However, the lack of women in these fields over the years often creates uncertainty among women who would like to contribute and advance professionally in this area. They view it as something out of reach or difficult to break into professionally, feeling that they will never be able to do the work they are passionate about.
This reality means that many women choose not to pursue these careers. However, the first step towards embarking on any of these paths is not to have all the answers, but to dare to take that step. For Amanda, curiosity is the driving force behind learning and professional growth, even when doubts arise: “You don’t need to have all the answers from the start or be perfect in every subject. If you’re curious about how things work and you enjoy learning, give yourself the chance,” she says.
Although there is still some way to go at Hersill, we are delighted to have such highly skilled professionals as Cuesta on board, and to see our teams becoming increasingly diverse, which enriches our work and opens up more opportunities for innovation.
We believe that women are becoming increasingly visible, and we value this development. As Amanda puts it: “The experience has been very positive. It’s true that in some technology or engineering fields there is still a greater male presence, but personally I’ve never felt that this has been a significant barrier for me.”
Find out how we work at Hersill
If you would like to find out more about our work as healthcare technology manufacturers or discover our solutions for healthcare professionals, please contact our team or browse our product catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is diversity important in medical technology? Because it encourages innovation, improves decision-making and enables the development of solutions that are better tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals and patients.
What are STEM careers? The STEM disciplines encompass fields of study related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – areas that are fundamental to the development of healthcare technology and other strategic sectors.
What types of professionals work in medical technology? The sector brings together a wide range of professionals, including engineers, biotechnologists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and specialists in regulation, production, quality, business development and sales – all of whom are essential for driving innovation.
