In the spirit of International Women’s Day, Vibranalysis Inc. invites you to celebrate women’s achievements worldwide. With the geotechnical space being predominantly male owned and operated, Vibranalysis is proud to be a leading force in support of gender-equality.
Linda Socquet founded Vibranalysis in 1986 and with her leadership - our team has the skills and expertise necessary to successfully complete a project from start to finish. We sat down with Socquet herself to discuss the challenges and adversities she faced stepping into this industry.
What got you started with vibration monitoring? Have you always had a passion for this industry?
I worked at a company where I kept seeing so many things going wrong. I thought to myself - I could do this better. The main issue was although they were making a substantial amount of money, they weren’t delivering on the services and expertise. In short, I felt as though the client’s weren’t getting their money's worth. That’s when the idea of starting my own company came about.
You broke into a very male-dominated industry during a time when little to no women were doing so. What challenges did you face and what kept you going when you faced adversity?
When I started Vibranalysis in 1986, men didn’t want me in the industry. I would go to a job site and the men on site would look at me like I didn’t belong and sometimes even tell me to leave. They were not welcoming at all.
This kind of condemnation only encouraged me to push further. I decided that if I was going to give up on it, it was going to be my decision - and not based on anyone else's opinions or judgement.
It definitely wasn’t easy and I made sure to stay humble the whole way through - killing them with kindness.
Who are your biggest female role models/inspirations and why?
My mom, she’s an absolute whirlwind. Also, my great grandmother - she went through alot personally and came out of it on top. They really pushed me to be the best version of myself and to not let anything stop me or stand in my way.
What are two pieces of advice you would give to women trying to enter the industry?
Make sure that you know what you’re doing and to always try to be the best at whatever that is.
Where do you see Vibranalysis ten years from now?
I see Vibranalysis being a multinational company involved in all sides of the industry.
How does the industry look today in comparison to when you first started?
Since I started, it has gotten easier for women to enter the market. However, we still face adversity. But that only makes us stronger.