We proudly join the global community in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) and the vital contributions women make to our industry.
INWED provides a platform to highlight the contributions of women engineers and to inspire the next generation of female talent to pursue careers in engineering. The theme for this year, “Enhanced by engineering” emphasises the crucial role that women engineers play in addressing global challenges through innovation.
Diversity is a cornerstone of innovation and creativity at D2. We believe that a diverse workforce drives better decision-making, problem-solving, and overall performance. To achieve this, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
We are proud of our gender neutral recruitment processes and the results of our latest ED&I survey show that more than 25% of the D2 community identify as female. D2 are committed to encouraging anyone who identifies as a woman into the engineering industry.
We recognise that a big part of promoting gender equality and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue an engineering career involves raising the visibility of women working in this field. To celebrate this year’s INWED, we asked a cross section of our team to share their experiences in the engineering sector…
Q: What inspired you to work in the engineering sector?
A: I have always been interested in numbers and solving problems. I liked making things work better and more efficiently. I enjoy working at D2 as I have been given the flexibility to learn and develop and really shape my career in engineering.
Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to potential future women in engineering?
A: You must always believe in yourself and know that your full potential always comes from the person you decide to be, no one else.
Q: How do you think being a woman in engineering has shaped your career journey so far?
A: To be honest I have worked with a range of open-minded people throughout my career in engineering and have never been made to feel any lesser than someone else due to gender.
Q: Has your job influenced how you approach other areas of your life?
A: Being a full-time working mum, with a good work life balance, I am always grateful for the ability to work full time and work around my family. My job has influenced my outlook on life and to know that good things come from hard work, patience, and lots of positive energy.
Q: What inspired you to work in the engineering sector?
A: A 5 mins conversation with an amazing woman. I had the absolute pleasure of being able to engage with Hannah Wynne, during a graduate assessment centre. I absolutely adored her passion and drive while explaining the role of Risk Management in infrastructure projects. I knew in that moment I wanted to be just like her and entering the nuclear industry was my first step.
Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to potential future women in engineering?
A: There is power in vulnerability because it helps build trust, and from my experience that is one imperative condition to allow for an innovative and creative environment.
Q: How do you think being a woman in engineering has shaped your career journey so far?
A: Working alongside women engineers made me realise that “the sky” is no longer the limit. It is extremely inspiring to be able to support one-of-a-kind projects that will have a long-lasting impact on the world as we know it. As a result, I do believe I am making bolder decisions, both in my professional and personal life.
Q: Has your job influenced how you approach other areas of your life?
A: Yes. I personally can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t plan outcomes based on best, worst and most likely scenarios. I’ve found myself taking learning from the projects I worked on and thinking that ‘if certain measures were good for £multi-million projects then they must to be good for me as well’.
Q: What inspired you to work in the engineering sector?
A: Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the construction industry, drawn to the visible and impactful projects unfolding around me. Accompanying my dad on site visits ignited my passion for this field. Building homes where memories are made, improving infrastructure, and contributing to community development allows me to positively impact society. I’m thankful to have found a path that combines my passion with the opportunity to give back to the community. This is what motivated and inspired me to choose this.
Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to potential future women in engineering?
A: The only advice I would offer to young women considering a career in engineering is to never let anyone dictate what you can or cannot do. Stay curious, persevere through challenges, seek out mentors and network and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Q: How do you think being a woman in engineering has shaped your career journey so far?
A: Being a woman engineer has helped shape my career by fostering resilience and determination in a traditionally male-dominated field. It has enhanced my ability to overcome challenges and break stereotypes. I’ve gained unique perspectives and opportunities to advocate for diversity and inclusion. This journey has empowered me to inspire other women to pursue engineering.
Q: Has your job influenced how you approach other areas of your life?
A: Absolutely, the problem-solving skills I’ve developed as an engineer help me tackle personal challenges with a systematic and analytical mindset. The emphasis on collaboration and teamwork has enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills in various social settings. Additionally, the attention to detail and commitment to quality in my work have translated into a more organised and conscientious approach to my daily life. Overall, the discipline and resilience required in engineering have positively impacted my personal growth and life management.
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