Improving the future of women in engineering

Almost everything around you has been touched by engineering. Engineers shape the world we live in. But in 2018, less than 13% of professional engineers in the UK were women. From a young age our children are conditioned to play with certain toys and wear certain clothes depending on their gender, which, in turn, develops into them having a sense of what type of careers they should pursue. This is where we need to change things. It’s no use saying we need to increase the number of women in the engineering sector when there are so few of us studying it. Having role models that are like you is a vital part of any career. My high school (male) teacher was very supportive, but I didn’t actually meet a female engineer until I started my internship at the end of my 3rd year at university. There are already several organisations working in the UK to encourage girls to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) and I want to be a part of that. I want to go into schools and share my story and hopefully be some sort of inspiration for young girls in a way that I never had.

As a soon-to-be graduate electrical engineer, I’m used to being the only woman in a room. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the majority of engineers are straight, middle-aged men. And as someone who doesn’t fit into this typical ‘engineer’ profile, my future is set to be a lot more challenging than those who do. Men have no idea what it is like being a woman, especially a woman in engineering, where many of us suffer from imposter syndrome. Female interns shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable when a superior engineer who is over twice their age asks them out on a date. LGBT+ employees shouldn’t be scared to be completely themselves at work for fear of retribution.

At some moments in the past I have thought: what’s the point? I feel like I have to work twice as hard to get half as much recognition; having to prove to myself that I deserve to be here. No matter what, men are always going to see my gender first. There will always be unconscious biases that I cannot control. So, why do I do it? It’s simple: I love engineering. I really do. I want to make a difference to other people’s lives. I do believe that this industry can, will and has to get better for minorities. Diversity is key to success – for all types of engineering sectors and businesses. However, it’s not enough just to have that inclusion. We need to feel safe, valued and respected as well. I know it’s a lot to ask, and I can’t do it alone. But I do believe that my generation can change things and I have so much hope for those that follow. We’ve got to at least try.