International Women’s Day is a worldwide event celebrating women’s achievements while calling for gender equality, and since today is International Women’s Day – we thought this would be the perfect time to catch up with some of our female students studying unconventional courses.
Ria Verma – Mechanical Engineering BEng student
I chose to study Mechanical Engineering as engineers are at the forefront of future technologies with a recruitment gap in the market. Because engineers have good job prospects, I decided to study the subject to become more employable not just within the UK, but also globally. Engineering is about improving the lives of other people and I hope to one day contribute to this.
I think it is really important to increase gender diversity within the field and to educate young women about the correct vocational pathway for them. My advice for women considering a career in Mechanical Engineering is to be bold and chase your aspirations.
My goal at the end of this year is to complete a summer internship and enrol onto a Master’s, join a graduate scheme and build my career as a professional engineer.
Damilola Ola – Construction Management BSc student
My experience in the EEC faculty has been amazing. From being Student Ambassador, to a Senior Course Rep, and even an ADA Lovelace (empowering women in engineering) scholarship holder.
I would advise any and every woman out there thinking about studying engineering to go for it! Although it might seem daunting at first, once you get into it, you start realising how much you love the industry and, how much of a positive influence you can bring to the industry.
I feel like in this day and age women are slowly starting to be treated equally within different industries. However, there are many cases and industries where women are not which needs to change. Although saying that, I am glad that women in this day and age are starting to take up top roles, and don’t feel intimidated by the industry they are in. Additionally, being the only female on my course, I feel like I have not been treated any differently to the guys on the course. This therefore gives me hope that when I get into the working stage of my life, I will not be treated any differently because of my gender.
Looking back, I would advise my younger self to not be worried or dwell on the opinions of people when making the decision to choose the course. This is because I was a bit discouraged by the lack of information and knowledge people had about the course and the industry itself. However, despite that, I am glad I stuck with my decision.
Samantha Parsons – Mechanical Engineering MEng student
My experience in the EEC faculty has been amazing, and I wouldn’t change it for anything! I have had fantastic opportunities to go on international trips, attend inspiring conferences and have had the support of the faculty and staff for my degree throughout the whole experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement year, and am very grateful to EC Futures for the events they host, advice and 1-1 meetings and which allowed me to get my position.
I have no doubt that I will make it to the top in my career. Throughout my time at university I have been given the tools I need to make an impact on the world in the way in which I want to do it.
Advice I would give to my younger self is: ask the questions, put yourself out there, take all the opportunities, be bold, trust yourself and really get to know people – you have no idea what opportunities can arise from a casual conversation.
Mamtha Chandrasekaran – Aerospace Systems Engineering BEng student
My lecturers and personal tutor are some of the best people I have met in my life, they have been my support throughout my tenure so far. This actually helped me from being homesick since I’m an international student. EC Futures have definitely helped with every single step of my placement process, starting from my CV to getting me to the right contacts.
Advice I would give to students thinking about studying aerospace systems engineering is that it is an amazing career for anyone regardless of their gender. As long as you have the passion for it and you enjoy the time when you do something related to engineering, that’s all you need.
Being able to study this degree was somewhere in-between easy and difficult. I come from a conserved family and cultural background. But thanks to my parents, they trusted in me and they allowed me to do this degree here.
I feel like the issue about equality is way better in UK than in couple of countries I know. So here in the engineering industry, I definitely agree that they are treated equally no matter their gender. I have also seen in Coventry University and the companies I’ve had interviews with, they follow work ethics and gender equality and also, they are in search of women who are interested in this field.
