On 22 December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as International Day of Women and Girls in Science. At ENGEO, we are proud to have a diverse group of talented female engineers and scientists. To celebrate this year, we sent out a short survey to our employees asking if they would share what they love about being in a scientific field, and what challenges they have faced in their careers.
It’s great to work in a company where greater than 30% of the technical staff are female.
What are some of the things you love about being in a science-driven field?
I love the fact that I get challenged every day and that I can use my creativity to develop solutions to unique problems. I also love that what I do makes a difference by changing the world for good.
I love being in a science-driven field because, as a geotechnical engineer, I get to think critically and do analyses that challenge me. I am also thankful to be in a field where I can never be finished learning.
What are some challenges you’ve faced being a woman in a science-driven field?
I was a site engineer for 8 years, often I was the only woman onsite! I had to improvise a few times!
As a woman in a science-driven field, I am in many situations where men outnumber women. Sometimes this causes me to feel uncomfortable, but I try to use these situations as opportunities to challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that women have a place in the construction industry.
What are some ways you use science every day?
I get to look at soil and rock every day at metres and metres of depth below ground level – it seems pretty special to be the first person to look at core thousand of years after it last saw the sun.
I use a microwave to heat up my food, I drive a gas-powered vehicle, I drink water that has been treated through physical and chemical processes.
What advice would you give to young women interested in a science-driven field?
Plenty of opportunities, explore them! Research your options.
Do what you love to do. If science is what you are interested in, the sky is the limit and a good mentor can make a big difference in how far (and how fast!) you can go!
In your opinion, what is the greatest scientific discovery?
Electricity. It’s pretty handy.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
DNA
Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity – it challenges the way we think about our universe
Central Heating
