Institution news
Her tenacity has led to her winning awards and scholarships, and gaining professional registration through the Institution whilst still a Master’s student at Sheffield Hallam University. Currently on a work placement at Rolls-Royce, Jodie spoke with us about her hopes for the future of the profession and how she is encouraging more girls and young women to pursue a rewarding career in engineering.
Who or what inspired you to become an engineer?
From an early age, I enjoyed science, DT and maths, and being creative. However, ‘engineering’ was never mentioned at school and nobody in my family had an engineering background. Around the age of 13, I heard about, and then joined, the new JCB Academy, which was something of a leap of faith. My teacher there had previously had a great career in engineering and travelled all over the world, and I found her very inspiring. My mum’s incredible work ethic also inspires me – she runs her own catering business and puts in a six-day week and I aim high in order to make her and my family proud.
What has been the stand-out event along your career path so far?
Being named in The Telegraph as one of the top 50 women in UK engineering is a real honour. That level of recognition among women who are doing amazing jobs in all sectors motivates me even more to do the best I can in my job, and to encourage others to join this profession.
You contributed to the Institution’s recent report on women’s experiences in engineering. What responses to the report have you observed?
I can relate to the feeling that it can be harder for women in engineering to have their achievements and skills recognised. I don’t like the idea of positive discrimination, however positive action is vital to show that women can succeed in this profession. The report has created a stir. I’ve seen it shared on social media and there has been a significant reaction to it, particularly to findings such as women feeling they have to change their personality to fit in to the engineering profession.
Why have you focused on becoming professionally registered?
Having my EngTech registration before I’ve even graduated demonstrates my tenacity and makes me stand out to employers. I’m about to start the fourth year of my Master’s degree and l already have one year of MPDS behind me, which demonstrates my commitment to becoming a chartered engineer. This is a step I initiated myself during my year in industry with Rolls-Royce.
How do you fit in your Institution commitments?
I am on the IMechE Young Members Board, the South Yorkshire Young Members Panel and the South Yorkshire Area Committee. I’m also the student rep for the Institution at my university – which all makes life pretty busy! I promote many of the Institution’s activities, such as local seminars and events, as well as other benefits – for example, I recently became an Engineering Technician, but not many students realise that this is something you can achieve whilst carrying out your studies, if you have the right work experience.
What do you aim to achieve through your outreach work?
As a STEM Ambassador I’ve run some fun Bloodhound activities, such as balloon car races, and delivered a presentation on Bloodhound. On International Women in Engineering Day I organised a stand at an event in Sheffield called ‘Engineering my future’, promoting the benefits of joining the Institution and of careers in engineering. On the strength of that, Rolls-Royce asked me to run a whole day of activities for a group of visiting RAF cadets. To school students, and particularly girls, I really want to communicate how important it is that you don’t let anything stand in the way of what you want to achieve. Take advice, do research, but go with the theme that interests you.
What are your hopes for the engineering profession?
I’d like to see engineering become a profession in which women are just as likely to work as men. For the UK to be economically powerful we need to encourage females, and people from all backgrounds, to take up engineering’s varied, creative and interesting jobs. Better careers advice from schools and colleges is also needed, and incorporating engineering into the school curriculum would really help.
Where do you aim to be in five years’ time?
I’ve really enjoyed my manufacturing engineering internship this summer and my previous work placement. After university I would love to join a graduate scheme at Rolls-Royce – that’s my ideal place to work. If I don’t make it back to Rolls-Royce, aerospace is definitely the sector I’d like to work in.