For women starting their engineering careers in New Zealand in the 1970s, there were no other women to look to on the path ahead. Role models and mentors can play a significant role in a person’s career aspirations, confidence and development.
In this section:
Mentors and role models
Interviewees were asked about the value of role models and mentors in their career journeys.
Gretchen
…and I suddenly realised there was a great lack in my life…
There were no women role models for Gretchen to look to either as a student or later in her career. She describes what this was like.
Janis
…I didn’t have any mentors or advisors…
When Janis was beginning her engineering career there were very few other women to look to in engineering roles.
She discusses the value that having a mentor, particularly early on in a person’s career, can bring.
Kaye
…just as I was about to leave, he said ‘funny thing happens when we sponsor our engineers through university…’
Kaye had already completed a New Zealand Certificate in Civil Engineering in 1981 and had considerable experience in engineering roles. But to advance her career further, she felt she needed to do a degree. It was a leap of faith to take time off work to study.
She recalls a story shared by a mentor which helped her at a difficult moment.
Jan
…that did make a big difference for me.
Philippa
…that was really, really valuable to see a woman can be a professor…
How do you find a mentor when there are no other women professors in the engineering department?
Sina
…they didn’t look like me…
When Sina was at university there was no one who looked like her who she could see as a role model or mentor.
Now established in her career, Sina has started a scholarship and mentoring programme to help others just beginning their engineering journey.
Jess
I’ve got a really good mentor here at WSP…
Jess explains how it was because of her mentor that she became involved with the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team.
USAR engineers support rescue teams after an event such as an earthquake to make sure it is as safe as possible for searchers to get people out of collapsed buildings.
Emily
I wish I’d had a mentor sooner…
Emily talks about the value she has found in mentoring – both as a mentee and as a mentor.
Alice
…that empowerment element was very, very meaningful…
Alice was involved in a mentorship programme through her workplace. She discusses the most valuable thing she got out of the programme.
Professional organisations and groups
Women’s groups provide a safe space to talk through shared challenges, get support and advice and to grow professional networks.
Interviewees were asked about the groups and networks they have been part of and what these groups have meant to them.
Gretchen
…15 years after I graduated, and I had never had a conversation with a professional woman.
Kaye
It wasn’t until later that I really got into Engineering New Zealand.
Shelley
…it’s that sounding board, to know you are not the only person dealing with it…
One of the groups Shelley has been involved in is the Women’s Infrastructure Network. She discusses the value of groups for women.
…you do miss out on those networking opportunities.
For women with young children, it can often be difficult to find the time outside of work to be involved in professional networks and organisations.
Shelley talks about her experience.
Kate
…you feel you can let your guard down…
Kate talks about why she has loved being involved with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
Sina
…we’re this little network of… engineering awesomeness.
For Sina, starting her own consultancy has been a rewarding experience. Building her own informal networks has been an important part of that.
Charlotte
…we wanted to give a space for women to come together…
Charlotte led the development of the Advancing Women in Engineering and Construction Symposium, held in November 2022. She talks about the aims of the event.
Jess
…it gave a safe environment for you to really open up…
Jess attended the Advancing Women in Engineering and Construction Symposium. She talks about why she found it so valuable.
Rosita
…you can get caught up in [a feeling of] ‘I don’t belong here’…
A group Rosita has been involved in is SPPEEx (South Pacific Professional Engineering Excellence). She explains why it has been important for her.
