It’s refreshing when women attend our training courses; in an environment where men vastly outnumber women. On average we train around 2000 candidates per year with approximately 10 of these being women. So, this week when we had two (yes two!) women in our training centre, we jumped at the opportunity of asking them a few questions and gaining an insight in to their experiences of working in an engineering discipline.
Name: Bailey
Job Title: Instrumentation Apprentice
Can you tell us a little about what the average day looks like for you?
An average day for me includes installations, calibrations, testing and fault finding, and the commissioning of the instruments that are generally found on level, flow, pressure and temperature systems.
Why did you choose this career? What were the major deciding factors in your decision?
Both my grandad and my dad worked in industry which gave me an initial interest. When I was younger, if I ever asked my dad about his job then he used to draw sketches of equipment such as turbines in order to try and explain how the system worked.
When I was in year 10 at school, I went on a college taster day and they had no room on the course that I wanted. They offered a beauty or pneumatics course instead. I didn’t know what pneumatics involved but I knew that I didn’t want to study beauty, so I opted for the pneumatics course. I realised at this point that I found engineering interesting so I went to a local training provider to study a Level 3 Instrumentation and control course. I am now an apprentice at Sembcorp Utilities UK and studying for a HNC in Instrumentation and Control.
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a woman thinking of starting a career in engineering?
If you are interested in engineering then my advice would be to go for it and don’t be scared. I have a really good relationship with the team that I work with and I love my job – there is no reason why you couldn’t too! My grandad didn’t think that the workshop was a suitable place for me to work but look where I am now. Don’t let anyone try and tell you that you can’t do it.
Name: Isabela
Job Title: Electrical Engineer
Can you tell us a little about what the average day looks like for you?
Detailed engineering for electrical systems of Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) and support to technical maintenance, operation of offshore units.
Why did you choose this career? What were the major deciding factors in your decision?
Ironically enough, it was renewable energy which made me decide for Electrical Engineering. However, half way through the course the offshore industry conquered me…
I have been working in oil & gas for over 5 years and I love how interesting, exciting and international it is.
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a woman thinking of starting a career in engineering?
Do not let the gender inequality in technical professions intimidate you. I am the only woman in my team at work and when I take technical courses. This fact doesn’t bother me and rarely crosses my mind unless someone asks about it. Because when I walk into a classroom or company, I don’t see men and women, but just engineers.
We would like to say a big thank you to both for taking the time to speak to us. We wish them every success in their future.
