All the women interviewed for this project have been involved in some way in advocating for change and supporting emerging women engineers to grow and flourish. They’ve been role models and mentors, have begun advocacy and outreach programmes, run events, led changes to workplace policies or culture, or simply by sharing their experiences have planted a seed of awareness and understanding. They’d like everyone to feel welcomed and valued in this profession.
What the dream looks like
Interviewees were asked what changes they would still like to see in the profession. What do they dream of for young women starting out as engineers today?
Jan
I’d like it to be more inclusive at undergraduate level, everywhere.
Kim
I’d really like for people not to notice the gender…
Philippa
I don’t want to be a trailblazer anymore…
I would like that [young women starting out as engineers today] feel empowered…
Kate
…and I just thought yeah, totally, it will be 50/50 by 2020….
Sina
I think there is space for all of us…
Charlotte
…[where] being a woman engineer is not unusual.
Jess
I’d like them to not be uncomfortable in a meeting room…
Future in the profession
When interviews took place, Zoe and Lily were at university studying towards their engineering degrees. They were asked how confident they felt about their future in the profession and if there was anything that concerned them.
Zoe
…there were a few too many horror stories to be heard…
Zoe had the opportunity to attend the Advancing Women in Construction symposium as a student helper. Here are some of her main takeaways.
Lily
…I’m very thankful for that.
Making a difference
The women interviewed talk about some of the initiatives they have been involved in and their thoughts on what we can all do to welcome more women into the profession and to support them once they are there.
Janis
First of all is getting into it, then next thing is finding a mentor…
Janis reflects on her career journey and the stages at which women might benefit from support to enter and to advance in the profession.
Jan
…show them the applications [of engineering]…
Jan discusses the importance of growing young girls’ confidence in maths and science subjects.
Kim
…we all have these thoughts…
We all have unconscious bias. But by being aware of this we can change our thinking.
…getting more women into the profession, that’s what normalises it…
If it were up to Kim, she would give out lots of scholarships.
Rebecca
I couldn’t help myself nudging kids towards maths and science while I was teaching…
For many years, Rebecca taught science, chemistry and digital technologies at high school level. Enthusiastic teachers can help students to enjoy and feel inspired to continue with STEM subjects. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of teachers in these subjects.
Sharee
…making it a more flexible workplace…
Sheridan
…igniting ideas in young minds…
Engineering was not presented as a career option to students at Sheridan’s all-girls high school. She has since gone back to her old school to give presentations to students about engineering and the construction industry. She also takes every opportunity to talk to students at local schools about projects her company is working on.
Here she describes visiting a school in Whangamatā to tell students about a project to upgrade their local water treatment plant.
Charlotte
…be a loud ally...
Charlotte discusses the importance of allyship.
