Today is International Women in Engineering Day, and we are very proud to celebrate the achievements of women at AWP!
We asked some to put together a paragraph describing their career journeys in the industry.
Letisha Blackmore has worked at AWP for 4 years, she is a Principal Engineer in the Flood Risk & Drainage department:
“I stumbled across civil engineering by chance. Picking my way through a list of potential ‘career’ matches after an aptitude test at the age of 17. From reading around and visiting the university open day, it sounded like something I could do, and I have found engineering as a career very rewarding! My career-path has been non-linear. After graduating from the University of Pretoria, in my home country of South-Africa, I started my career designing railway lines. I got a great opportunity to do a PhD, in railway geomechanics, at the University of Southampton and took it on with the encouragement and support of mentors and family. Following that I worked as a consulting engineer delivering geotechnical and pavement (foundation) designs; moved countries and took a gap-year; conducted research into weather dependant deterioration of soil embankments as a post-doc researcher; and started a family; before joining AWP to dip my toes into flood risk and drainage aspects. Civil engineering has helped me challenge myself, help others and see the world. I would say to any young girl or woman who is considering a career change – engineering is great.”
Olivia Clarke is a Transport Planner, who joined AWP almost 2 years ago:
“I had not previously considered the engineering sector until I bumped into AWP at my Uni Careers Fair! After completing a 3 month summer placement, I realised a career in Transport Planning blended all the elements I loved about my degree together and accepted a graduate job offer with AWP. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed becoming a part of the civil engineering sector and am looking forward to continuing my journey at AWP, working on a variety of projects and towards a chartership accreditation.”
Georgia Smith joined AWP this week as a Graduate Transport Planner, and we are excited to see her progress in the business:
“I have recently joined AWP as a Graduate Transport Planner after graduating from the University of Cardiff. My interest in GIS sparked my journey into transport planning, allowing me to combine technical engineering skills with spatial analysis.”
Other women making a key contribution to AWP within their technical teams include Annabel Goldsworthy (Principal Engineer and new mum currently on maternity leave), Verity Saunders (Technician, working with us on a part-time basis) and Leah Heath (Undergraduate Engineer, enjoying the sunshine this week on a well-deserved holiday!) who joined us for a Year in Industry placement during her civil engineering degree studies at the University of Bristol.
We want to encourage more young women to consider future careers in STEM sectors and help to address the gender balance in what has historically been a male dominated construction industry. We appreciate all women in engineering today and every day!