At MPI we love International Women In Engineering Day as it is a chance for us to celebrate the incredible strides being made in the industries we work in, in encouraging more women to enter a traditionally male field.
Engineering has long been a catalyst for innovation and progress, shaping the world we live in. Yet, the underrepresentation of women in this field has been a persistent challenge. However, times are changing, and a new generation of brilliant women is emerging, breaking barriers, and defying expectations.
At MPI we like to talk to people and hear the stories of remarkable female engineers, by doing so, we strive to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of women pursuing careers in this traditionally male-dominated industry. We hope to encourage young women to pursue their dreams in engineering, knowing that they have the talent, resilience, and support to succeed. We also aim to create a dialogue that highlights the importance of diversity and gender equality in engineering, ultimately leading to more inclusive and innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.
This year we have had the privilege of talking to a young female aircraft engineer who is on a short contract with us at one of our clients, Rianne Anderson. As a thankyou to her for talking to us we have made a contribution to a charity of her choice.
1.) Did you also want to go into engineering or was it a happy accident?
IT WAS A HAPPY ACCIDENT. I ENTERED MY APPRENTICESHIP NEVER HAVING USED A SPANNER AND ENDED UP LOVING MY JOB AND NEWLY LEARNED SKILLSET.
2.) Did you have a role model or mentor in engineering that inspired you?
I HAD NO ROLE MODELS PREVIOUS TO MY APPRENTICESHIP BUT IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE I HAD COLLEAGES PASSING DOWN A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE SO I HAD MENTORS EVERYWHERE I TURNED.
3.) When you started training in engineering did you feel your future opportunities were limited or extensive as a women in a traditionally male field?
IT FELT EXTENSIVE FROM THE BEGINNING .I FELT VERY WELCOMED AS MEN WERE NOT USED TO WOMEN SHARING THE SAME JOB ROLE.THEY WANTED ME TO EXCEL SO MORE WOMEN COULD ALSO SEE THE OPPORTUNITY.
Sub Question: Has the industry changed? Is the future different for the next generation of women engineers?
THE INDUSTRY IS ONLY GROWING IN TERMS OF HAVING WOMEN IN THE FIELD. YEAR UPON YEAR I SEE MORE WOMEN CHOOSING ENGINEERING.
5.) Over your career have you been treated differently or faced stereotypes by colleagues, managers, clients or people who report to you because of your gender?
I'VE FELT ENCOURAGEMENT AS LONG AS YOUR WILLING TO TRY. I'VE BEEN CHEERED ON CHANGING WHEELS AS BIG AS ME.AS LONG AS YOU STRIVE TO BE A TEAM PLAYER YOU WILL FACE NO ADVERSITY. I HAVE GAINED RESPECT FROM A LOT OF COLLEAGES BUT NOT JUST BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN CHANGING THE DYNAMICS OF THE FIELD BUT BECAUSE OF MY (NO QUIT) ATTITUDE AND STRIVING TO EXCEL IN ANY JOB IM GIVEN.THE INDUSTRY NEEDS SIMILAR WOMEN TO ALLOW THIS CHANGE TO CONTINUE.
7.) This is the 10th year of Women In Engineering Day, would you say they are making a difference in encouraging girls to take this career path?
MOST DEFINITELY I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO NUMEROUS EVENTS TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING A WOMEN IN ENGINEERING.LACK OF EXPOSURE IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE LACK OF WOMEN IF MORE WOMEN SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES, MORE WILL APPLY.
8.) What initiatives do you think may encourage more women into engineering?
MORE AWARENESS OF APPRENTICESHIPS AND THE GATEWAY THEY PROVIDE INTO THE INDUSTRY.
9.) What advice do you personally have for girls thinking of entering the engineering world?
GO FOR IT CHALLENGE YOURSELF IN THIS INDUSTRY EVERYDAY IS A SCHOOL DAY.YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING AND GROWING IN THIS INDUSTRY AND ITS GREAT FUN!
Thank you so much Rianne for your time and your wonderful attitude that is clearly an example to everyone around you! Join us as we celebrate her achievements and honour the contributions of women in engineering on this remarkable International Women in Engineering Day.