Everyone belongs in the ‘E’ in STEM! We’re celebrating the International Day of Women in Engineering on 23 June
Did you know that women still make up only around 16% of Australia’s engineering workforce? At the same time, jobs requiring STEM qualifications are projected to grow by 24% over the next decade, creating an additional 550,000 roles by 2035. Looks like an opportunity if you ask us!
It’s super clear that we need more diversity AND people in engineering, so if you’re a female-identifying, non-binary or gender-diverse student, there’s definitely a place for you here.
Diversity FTW
Laura Clemente (materials engineer) and Catherine Isaac (mechanical engineer)
According to CSIRO, diverse teams and workforces consistently have better problem-solving abilities, increased creativity and improved productivity. It should be all hands on deck to engineer solutions for a better, brighter future.
Women working in engineering agree! Materials engineer Laura Clemente says: “Diversity is important because every single person, regardless of gender orientation or cultural upbringing, matters – they have their own potential and capability to come up with new innovations that could possibly change the world.”
Catherine Isaac, an engineer working in the medical device industry, adds: “Without female representation, issues that half the population face can be overlooked and ignored due to lack of awareness. To make sure that women are equal members of society, we need to be included and involved in creating the technology of the future.”
Get there with a scholarship
Some great ones to apply for:
· Women in Engineering Scholarship (QUT)
· UNSW Women in Engineering Scholarships Program (UNSW)
· STEM Women in Engineering Scholarship (RMIT)
· Margaret Hamer Scholarship for Women in Engineering (The University of Sydney)
· Sir John Monash Scholarship for Distinction (Monash University)
· The FEIT Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship (UTS)
Join the club
Finding like-minded peers when you’re at uni can make a massive difference to your study experience. Check out these societies and clubs at some of Australia’s leading universities:
· GEMS (Gender Equity in Engineering Makes Sense) (QUT)
· Griffith University Women in Engineering (Griffith University)
· Newcastle University Women in Engineering (University of Newcastle)
· Sydney University Women in Engineering Society (The University of Sydney)
· Women in Engineering Curtin Division (Curtin University)
· Women in Engineering at ECU (Edith Cowan University)
· Women in Engineering and Mathematical Sciences UWA (University of Western Australia)
· Women in Engineering at Monash (Monash University)
· Women in Engineering Society (UNSW)
· Women* in Science and Engineering (University of Melbourne)
· Women in Science and Engineering (Victoria University)
Uni programs
Lots of unis (like Macquarie University, Monash University, QUT, RMIT, The University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, UNSW and UTS) have awesome programs that mentor, encourage and support female-identifying, non-binary and gender-diverse students in engineering. Double check what’s on offer at your favourite uni before applying.
All the inspo
Wise words from women in engineering!
Karen Willcox (aerospace engineer), Yemi Penn (rail project entrepreneur), Eva Cheng (Director of Women in Engineering and IT Program, UTS) and Zoe Eather (civil and environmental engineer and CEO)
“I’ve heard many young women say they want a career in medicine because they want to help people. The impact may be more indirect, but engineers absolutely help people just as much as doctors.” – Karen Willcox, aerospace engineer
“Be open minded, create your lane if you need to, stay connected to ‘why’ you want to have a STEM career in the first instance and always go back to this when the going gets tough, because it will.” – Yemi Penn, rail project entrepreneur
“Follow what you’re interested in and care about. If it doesn’t exist yet, you can create it or be a part of creating it!” – Dr Eva Cheng, director of Women in Engineering and IT Program, UTS
“I’m passionate about changing the narrative around engineering so that it encourages people who want to change the world to get involved in STEM and bring their creativity with them!” – Zoe Eather, civil and environmental engineer and CEO
Get a role model
If you can see it, you can be it. Head here to check out the CVs and career journeys of more women working in engineering.
