From an Introverted Student to a Successful Engineer in the Israeli Navy

Ensign E. grew up as someone who was nervous to speak and now serves as an IDF software engineer in the Israeli Navy. She is an example of a woman serving in the field of engineering and of how women can pursue careers in engineering.

What inspired you to study engineering?

“My love for programming comes from my grandparents and parents. I’ve always had an interest in it and began programming when I was five-years-old. 

When I was 14, I became  interested in robotics, my dream was to build the Iron Man suit so I could wear it and fly. Throughout the years, my goals changed and I decided I wanted help people. This is why I joined the IDF.

Nowadays I specialize in robot programming, particularly in developing software for the Israeli Navy. I write computer programs that enable a robot to perceive its environment, make plans, decisions and execute tasks.”

How have you grown during your service in the IDF? 

I drafted a year and eight months ago and since then I have grown tremendously. I used to quit big projects because they were too hard. In the service, that is not an option. When I have a problem that is hard for me to solve, solving it is the only option. The service taught me to finish what I started, which is a tool I’ll take with me beyond the service.