For International Women in Engineering Day 2021, we spoke to a number of selected women to learn more about their journey within the industry. Today, we speak to Catherine Downes EngTech MCIHT, Senior Technician at Amey Consulting.
I have always had an interest in maths and science. Growing up, my mum would teach me fundamental maths and even taught me how to use the Chinese abacus! I was practical too, and loved DIY, repairing things and taking things apart to see the inner mechanisms of everyday objects. I would often daydream about the next ‘Big Invention’ and try and figure out ways to improve existing issues through creativity and design. Because of this, I veered towards applied maths and sciences and chose to pursue a career that would use and apply these subjects to solving real life problems.
What is genuinely satisfying about engineering is identifying a real-life problem and using design to ‘solve it’ and then seeing that design through to completion. So, for any project, we will be set a brief - which essentially outlines the issue that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘improved’ and use design, calculations, research, knowledge, experience, standards etc. to do so. Engineering isn’t a repetitive exercise and requires understanding and the ability to adapt that to a specific scenario. Currently, I am working on a cycle scheme network in Liverpool. This scheme will be providing a safe way for cyclists to travel around the city. However, it isn’t simply a case of adding a cycle lane to the carriageway. A lot of factors need to be considered before designing a cycle route such as: type of cycle route - mandatory/advisory; width of the carriageway; type of road markings required and where; signage; manoeuvrability of both cyclists and cars; existing on-road parking, etc. Once design of this has finished, and construction is completed, I will be able to see my design in use and know that I have had an impact on the current infrastructure of my home town, Liverpool.
What is genuinely satisfying about engineering is identifying a real-life problem and using design to ‘solve it’ and then seeing that design through to completion.
I don’t feel that being a woman affects my current role or ability to perform my job. I believe that my capabilities in engineering are not a function of my gender and I am proud that I don’t feel threatened in a male-dominated sector. I am treated equally and fairly and provided with guidance and support from senior members of staff. I have progressed in my role due to hard work and dedication to engineering. However, earlier on in my career there were times when I was discriminated against. I attended college where there were only two females in a group of 20 or so. I remember a student saying, ‘Don’t let a woman do a man’s job’. Other times, I believe I was held back due to responsibilities out of my control, such as being a single mother of two children. On occasion, I was asked to step-in to oversee reception or help with the catering of functions. I wondered why it was always females being asked to do these servicing roles when there were plenty of males who could also be asked. Whether these jobs were given to me as a function of gender stereotyping is uncertain, yet I still feel a lot of women have to battle with that inherited, front-of-house responsibility, even if their job role is different. However, since progressing through my career, I believe I have encountered less discrimination, but of course, that’s not true for every woman in engineering and still needs to be addressed and spoken about.
Earlier on my career, I had been working towards my HNC qualification in Civil Engineering. On completing my first year, I was told by my employer that they would not be sponsoring me into my second year. It was a very upsetting time for me as I had worked hard to gain the results needed to progress onto the second and final year of the qualification yet was told I wasn’t going to be able to. I wasn’t given much of an explanation as to why I couldn’t continue and along with this, I was also hurt to learn that a male colleague (also on my course) was allowed to progress into their second year. I felt upset and humiliated and chose to question their decision. I sought guidance and help from my teachers at college, my union rep and local MP regarding the matter, stating that I believed this was discrimination because I am female. With their support, I challenged my employer’s decision. The choice to stop me returning to college for my second year was overturned and I was subsequently able to finish my HNC. I really don't think it is right that obstacles should be put in the way of women in the engineering world, yet I know these still exist, having spoken to a number of female colleagues.
I don’t feel that being a woman affects my current role or ability to perform my job. I believe that my capabilities in engineering are not a function of my gender and I am proud that I don’t feel threatened in a male-dominated sector.
Diversity and gender inclusion are crucial in the engineering industry to develop and retain talent. The lack of women translates to a lack of talent and skills and this will subsequently affect the economy with its growing demand for engineering roles/projects. In engineering, having more women, allows for varied ways of thinking. Also, there may be situations that require some insight into the female experience, such as the location and design of rest-rooms in large buildings and public spaces. In fact there is some considerable discussion about this in for example:
Women's specific strengths and experiences can be used to facilitate the successful completion of projects. Females also provide a balance to a team and to the sector as a whole. Having more women in engineering also inspires younger girls into engineering roles too, showing them that it is desirable and important to work in that sector.
There is a common misconception about engineering, particularly for young girls, that it is a hands-on, alpha-male type environment to work in. Young children often associate the idea of engineering with manufacturing, diggers and excavators etc. and that can be quite a daunting and threatening idea of a career for a girl. I even asked my 14 years old daughter, ‘What is engineering?’ and she responded, ‘Something to do with machines?’. Engineering is often portrayed as a physical vocation and less emphasis is given to the creativity and design aspect of it. To make the idea of engineering appealing, the understanding of it needs to change, and this must start from an early age. This may be done by promoting STEM subjects to girls and women to get them interested, sparking their inner curiosity for engineering with questions such as: ‘Why?”, “How?” and “What if?”. Extra-curricular activities are also crucial for encouraging women and girls to become interested in engineering by showing them what it is like to work in the industry. By directing them towards female engineers and their route into engineering, girls and women may become inspired and the role become more appealing and desirable.
Women's specific strengths and experiences can we used to facilitate the successful completion of projects. Females also provide a balance to a team and to the sector as a whole. Having more women in engineering also inspires younger girls into engineering roles too, showing them that it is desirable and important to work in that sector.
I recently came across Zoe Laughlin, a designer, maker and materials engineer who in 2019, was awarded the ‘Trophy for design Engineering’ from the Institution for Engineering Designers. She is my #EngineeringHero because of the passion and enthusiasm she has for science and innovation. I recently saw her on the television, where she explained how a paperclip, a general everyday object, made from a shape memory alloy, when given enough heat energy, will return to its original shape. Although, simple, her presentation was fun. Women like her are so important for engineering as they make girls and women like myself, excited and interested in science through engaging explanations and demonstrations.
Receiving my professional qualification has not only given me the intrinsic value of achievement in my field, knowing that my skills and competencies are recognised by the professional body: CIHT, but provides my employer with the reassurance and confidence that I am proficient in my role and have demonstrated my dedication to engineering. It has also allowed for my name to be submitted along with bids that require staff to be professionally qualified. On gaining my EngTech, I also received the ‘Award for Outstanding Performance at Professional Review’ which has provided me with a lot of exposure within my company and the wider engineering community. As such, I was asked to provide a case study of my career for the Engineering Council, highlighting my career to-date which has been published on their website and social media platforms. Gaining EngTech status provides me with the necessary stepping stone for further professional development, which can lead to IEng and CEng. Not only that, becoming professionally qualified can elevate your career prospects, making progression within the engineering field more achievable.
Receiving my professional qualification has not only given me the intrinsic value of achievement in my field, knowing that my skills and competencies are recognised by the professional body: CIHT, but provides my employer with the reassurance and confidence that I am proficient in my role and have demonstrated my dedication to engineering.
Engineering is extremely rewarding and to see your designs implemented in the real world gives you a massive sense of achievement. It is a fantastic career where no two days are the same, where one day you can be writing schedules or drawing plans in CAD from the office/home, or on another, surveying on site. A keen interest in maths and science is essential, yet engineering is creative in its nature, where problems in the real world can be solved by careful design. For me, I took the apprenticeship route, where my week was split: 20% working towards a qualification and 80% working from the office. A lot of companies now offer degree apprenticeships that provide a route into university too. This is a fantastic way of learning on the job, where you gain professional experience, achieve qualifications and earn money. Degrees are also another route into engineering, where you will go to university after gaining relevant a-levels.
The opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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