Celebrating its 10th year, International Women in Engineering Day, created by Women’s Engineering Society (WES), is a day coined to celebrate the incredible work being carried out by women engineers across the globe.
With women making up only 16.5% (according to 2021 figures) of engineers worldwide, across industries from technology and medicine to construction, there’s evidently still work to be done to ensure equal opportunity within the profession. We all have a role in contributing to working environments where each person feels empowered to thrive on a level playing field – and it starts at your workplace.
Here at Parmarbrook, we pride ourselves on offering a level playing field for all, with a strategic board made up of 50% women. Encouraging enthusiastic and talented engineers to grow in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and respects every individual’s expertise.
To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2023, we caught up with four of our women engineers who are experts in their specialisms within the construction sector, to ask what being a woman in engineering means to them, how we get more women into the profession, and their advice to future women engineers.
Marina Lazar
Senior Structural Engineer
Growing up in Romania, my parents both engineers, I was taught from a very young age how to do practical things. My dad taught me how to change a plug, build a brick wall, and mix concrete. To me these were never chores, they were things we did for fun, so I’ve always loved that sort of work. It was just a natural progression from this to going to a technical university. Engineering was the best for combining my love for maths, physics and drawing.
Claire Washington
Associate
Seeing my designs being built. You can never imagine the scale of what you design until you see it in real life. I think it’s absolutely amazing that you can calculate exactly what the structure can take, and then it be built to that specification.
Alex Exeter
BIM Manager
I love the creative side to producing structural drawings and Revit models. Even though we work to standards, you can still put your own flare and style into modelling and drawing production.
Marina Lazar
Senior Structural Engineer
I love going to site and speaking to the contractors and those building what we design. It’s the best opportunity to learn and find new ways to improve on design and buildability. The best thing about being an engineer is getting to solve problems, and then seeing something rise out of the ground because you were able to solve that problem. I feel so proud when I walk down the road with my kids and I can show them a project I was involved in.
Karina Krause
Structural Engineer
I calculated the widest steel casting plant to date as a graduate engineer using FE software, which at the time was very new and impressive. It was for Danielli in Italy.
Claire Washington
Associate
I was part of the team who completed the design of the timber Cambridge Central Mosque. It has beautiful, exposed timber ‘trees’ which support the timber roof, formed in doubly curved glulam arranged in Islamic patterns.
Claire Washington
Associate
I’m not sure there’s anything special about being a woman in engineering. But I think the industry heavily benefits by having more women enter the workforce. I think we naturally have different ways of approaching problems and there is a high value in that added diversity. Also, getting more women into engineering means a bigger talent pool – that’s got to be a positive!
Marina Lazar
Senior Structural Engineer
I think as a woman, you have to work harder to prove yourself. Once you’ve shown others what you are capable of, there are no more limits. I don’t feel special being a woman and doing what I do, I feel special being an engineer – as I get to wake up every day and do something I really enjoy.
Alex Exeter
BIM Manager
I love knowing that we’re part of the small percentage of women working in engineering – flying the flag for women in a male-dominated industry.
Claire Washington
Associate
I believe it’s getting into the schools, talking to students to tell them what engineering is and getting them excited about it. I’ve done a lot of going into schools and talking to students about what I do and what you need to do to get into the right university course. So many people don’t even know it’s an option!
Alex Exeter
BIM Manager
We need more evidence of women in high positions within engineering and construction, so they know they can get there too.
Karina Krause
Structural Engineer
I’ve never seen myself as any different to other engineers, so my advice to all engineers would probably just be to follow your dreams and to not get intimidated by others.
Claire Washington
Associate
Completely ignore anyone who implies that we don’t deserve to be in this industry. Throughout my career, I’ve had various situations where people have made me doubt my credibility as a structural engineer because I’m a woman, but I’ve learnt to completely ignore all of this.
Marina Lazar
Senior Structural Engineer
The fact that there are more and more women engineers is proof that this is not a profession just for men, however, most of the time you’ll still be the only woman in a room. Never feel intimidated by this as you’ve earned the right to be there. You’ve studied and have the same degrees as your male counterparts. Any woman thinking of going for a career in engineering should be persistent, focused, prepared to work hard and always wanting to learn. Find a mentor and speak to people in different roles and positions. Never be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help – it’s the best way to learn.
Alex Exeter
BIM Manager
Keep pushing the boundaries, keep learning, keep growing, and don’t be scared to speak up for yourself.
At Parmarbrook, we are more than just a structural engineering firm. We are a diverse team of design-focused, hands-on professionals with big experience and a passion for delivering exceptional results within the built environment.
Feel inspired? We’re always keen to hear from talented and passionate people thinking about joining our team. Check out our careers page.