International Women in Engineering Day: Engineering heroes
Published on June 23, 2021By Sydney Hougrand, Environmental Consultant
Today, Wednesday, 23 June, is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Organised by the Womenโs Engineering Society (WES), INWED is an international awareness campaign that raises the profile of women in engineering and focuses attention on the amazing career opportunities available to women and girls in this exciting industry. This yearโs theme is โengineering heroesโ, celebrating the amazing work that women engineers around the world are doing, not just in response to the pandemic but also to support lives and livelihoods every day.
Throughout history, in engineering and science, women have regularly paved the way toward significant discoveries and breakthroughs, often with little recognition. When beginning my undergraduate studies in environmental science, if asked about a woman in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), I could have only given a single name: Marie Curie, arguably one of the most famous women in history. I progressed through my undergraduate degree surrounded mainly by male students, colleagues and professors, taking note of the under-representation of women in STEM. However, the few women I knew in the field were (and are) strong role models, pushing boundaries and making a difference in the world around them, regardless of representation. Of course, the number of women in the industry and recognition of their input are improving, but there is still some way to go and it is the women already in these industries, and their male allies, who are really paving the way for a more diverse future.
In my third year of university, I took an elective module in climate assessment that was, in many ways, life changing. The module was engaging and inspiring as it solidified many of my personal values, but what inspired me most was learning about governmental bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Council for Science (ICSU), the US National Academy of Sciences and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In these bodies, and several others, female researchers and political leaders had made significant contributions to the leadership, assessments and policies that drive global climate change initiatives. Women like Susan Solomon, who chaired the climate science working group for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, and Christiana Figueres, who led the international climate negotiations as the executive secretary of the UNFCCC, have been inspirational to me as key contributors to the field I was trying to find a foothold in.
When I graduated from university in 2016, I applied for countless positions across the United States before landing a position as a restoration officer in Chicago, where I worked as an ecologist and habitat manager. While the role was interesting and challenging, it didnโt feel like I was doing enough to live up to my engineering heroines, and I couldnโt shake the feeling that I wanted more. I started researching other roles that could get me closer to a career where I would drive real change.
Inspired by the women around me, and with a passion for creating a sustainable future, I decided to change my direction, moved to the UK and began a masterโs programme in environmental impact assessment (EIA) at the University of Manchester. Soon after, I joined RSK. RSK boasts a broad network of women in STEM that has enabled me to work alongside female engineers from every sector of environmental engineering. I am inspired daily by the leadership of the EIA team, including Associate Director Katie Barlow, and I have been actively encouraged by (now retired) founding director Sue Sljivic and RSK Divisional Director Sarah Mogford to act as an advocate not only for myself, but also for other junior employees. While I still hold close my engineering heroines who lead our charge into mitigating the impacts of climate change, I look to the women around me for motivation and courage to instil change from the position I am already in.
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
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๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
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๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
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#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
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๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature