23rd June 2020
Tuesday 23rd June 2020 marks International Women in Engineering Day, a day where women (and men!) all over the world help to raise the profile of women engineers and encourage more people to consider engineering as a profession. Apex Consulting is proud to support all our female staff and caught up with Assistant Structural Engineer, Rebecca Howard, ahead of the day to find out about her route into engineering and what advice she would offer other women considering a career in the sector.
Hi Becky! So, what made you want to become an Engineer?
I wanted to use my skills in maths and physics to have a positive impact on society. Structural Engineering enables me to problem solve and create practical solutions that shape the world around me in an efficient, safe, and sustainable way.
How long have you been in your current role at Apex Consulting?
I have been an Assistant Structural Engineer at Apex Consulting for a year and a half. Previously I worked in the Bridges sector for two years immediately after graduating from university.
Why did you want to work for Apex Consulting?
At Apex Consulting I can work on a variety of challenging projects and learn lots of new things as part of a small and friendly team. It allows me to grow and gain experience in the building sector as the business grows alongside.
What would you say to young girls all over the world who are considering the subjects they will study?
I would say pick subjects that you enjoy doing, particularly if you are unsure of what you might like to do after leaving school. If you do have an idea of what you would like to do next, have a look at what subjects are required and factor that in as you choose. I knew I wanted to study engineering as I was good at maths and physics, and I also choose to chemistry. I also studied product design as this was more on the creative and practical side of a design brief, which I’ve found useful when working on real projects.
What is the best part of your job?
The best bit of my job has to be visiting site and watching a building I’ve helped to design being constructed, it’s a very satisfying feeling knowing I’ve helped to create that for other people to use in the future.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career?
There have been many technical challenges, but my biggest challenge so far has been learning to manage my mental health at work. It has made me more successful at my job.
Do you have any advice to girls wishing to become engineers?
Look at the world around you with curiosity and think about how things work and why things are made the way they are. Explore the many different types of engineering and what they involve and take advantage of the opportunities available to you or create your own opportunities to gain more of an understanding of what engineering is all about. Go to STEM groups, find work experience, go on a Headstart course, engage with what the engineering institutions are doing and, most importantly, talk to engineers you know about their experiences in the industry.
Thanks Becky, great to catch up with you and learn more about your experience and hear your advice.
If you’d like to find out more about International Women in Engineering Day, go to: http://www.inwed.org.uk/