On International Women in Engineering Day 2022, we took some time to ask our outstanding women here at EDC about their experience in the engineering sector and what their hopes are for women in the industry.
International Women in Engineering Day is marked to celebrate the significant contribution made by women in the field of engineering. Over the years, women have worked hard to break stereotypes and inspire the next generation of female engineers to build their careers in STEM.
While there is a lot to celebrate, we also must reflect on the current female representation in the engineering industry. Engineering as a profession has the power to transform communities and create a positive impact on society. With women making up only 12% of the engineering workforce in Ireland, EDC’s is proud to say we have over and above this percentage throughout our offices, and are constantly striving to improve Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in the workforce.
As a community, we must encourage young girls to follow their passion and pursue a career in STEM. Organisations should consciously chart paths to foster an inclusive environment, and opportunities should be provided based on one’s merit and not based on one’s gender.
Here is what some of our EDC Women in Engineering had to say!
On International Women in Engineering Day, I try to reflect on progress in my industry during the course of my career. The changes may be many, but the reality is they were born from the necessity to address deep inequality. The benefits now are female voices adding huge value and insight at every level. This progress needs to continue, though as there are still areas where there is poor representation. I am so optimistic and excited to see where continued progress will take us! #imanginethefuture
Sara Steele, Executive Director, EDC
Time is always changing, and so the same can be said for engineering. Working as an engineer means you must always be innovative, up to date with all the changes and accept the challenges. These challenges motivate me, and working in a team where everyone is treated equally is important. My hope is that in the future people do not consider engineering as a gender-specific occupation. I like to think that this change is already happening, and I look forward to the future of women in engineering!
Priyanka Upadhyay, BIM Coordinator, EDC
I was nervous about joining a predominately male field. The year I graduated, only 13% of engineering graduates were women, but I wasn’t going to let this deter me. I was lucky to receive constant support through women in engineering/stem mentoring programmes throughout my education and career. Being a part of a community of trailblazers who have paved the way for women in STEM made me feel extremely confident about my decision to pursue engineering. Engineering is a brilliant career, and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Jessical Mullen, Electrical Engineer, EDC
What I love most about working in engineering is seeing my work and designs come to life on site. I’ve enjoyed gaining experience and having ownership in projects where I can make an impact. We’re constantly working on improving our processes and learning about new technology as it becomes available. As a result, creating new plans with the latest innovations, solving problems and knowing we’ve provided the highest quality designs is very satisfying.
Elaine Chambers, Mechanical Engineer, EDC
Engineering is in my blood, and something I have always wanted to do. I would like to see more women engineers in the workforce, and what I would say to those young women aspiring to be engineers is to follow their dreams. You may sometimes feel like a small cog in the giant wheel of engineering, but always remember that the wheel cannot move without that cog. I am proud to be a part of the engineering community and if I had one piece of advice it would never be to give up on your dreams!
Tugba Erdal, Electrical Engineer, EDC
