Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is supporting this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) campaign.
Celebrated annually on the 23rd of June, the campaign is an opportunity to spotlight current and emerging talent within the industry whilst inspiring the next generation of girls to succeed in STEM careers.
This year’s theme is #enhancedbyengineering profiling bright and innovative women in engineering and showcasing the impact they have to shape the future of infrastructure as we know it.
From family members to teachers and even pop icon Britney Spears, inspiration has come in many forms for our female colleagues. To mark INWED, some of our female team members shared their stories, including what inspired them to pursue a career in engineering.
Pictured (L-R): Lyndsey Bogey, Hayley Howl, Sophie Murray, Frances Stephens and Katie Swanick
Katie's story
What's life like as a civil engineer?
Having started my career as a graduate site engineer and now as an operations manager, the life of a civil engineer remains the same at its core. Every day is different with new and interesting problems to solve and all with the ultimate goal of building infrastructure assets that makes everyone’s day to day life better.
Who inspired you?
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
Hayley's story
What's life like as a planner?
Brilliant, I really enjoy being a planner as it is so varied and dynamic. I work across multiple projects planning the work out and tracking critical activities using various methods of software. I can be working in the office or out on site which keeps life interesting and keeps me motivated. I get to work across multiple teams which keeps relationships fresh, and planning is like solving a complex puzzle which always keeps my work interesting. I like the feeling of providing support and resolutions to problems and being an integral part of the construction/project management process.
Who inspired you?
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
Lyndsey's story
What's life like as a commercial manager?
Fantastic, I really am passionate about the role, it is something I had wanted to do for a long time, and I really do love it now I am here. I particularly enjoy the people side, which is probably because I am very chatty, I enjoy leading the team and working with the team in ensuring that they are happy and helping to train and develop the team is something I am really keen on.
I also enjoy the empowerment of being able to try to help to ‘better’ the business. Recently myself and a male colleague established a ‘Women in MMB community’ committee within our region of the business. We focus on creating a culture which helps position MMB as an industry leading organisation for the growth and development of female staff, to ensure that our females and future females can achieve their full potential.
It’s fantastic to be involved in and working alongside some of the other amazing female and males in the unit who I may not have otherwise met. There are of course new and more complex challenges that come with a senior management role, many of which are new to me from when I was a quantity surveyor however, I work with a great team and every day is a learning day!
Who inspired you?
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
Sophie's story
What’s life like as a process engineer?
Life as a process engineer is varied, fast-paced and rewarding! In a day, I can be involved in process calculations, safety studies, supplier meetings, design workshops and more.
Who inspired you?
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
Frances' story
What's life like as a design lead?
Life is varied and full of different opportunities to make a difference. I find myself leading design development, mentoring my team and liaising with the client. Having the diversity at design lead level gives an opportunity to listen more effectively to our team members and work with them to find solutions that bring out the best in them.
Who inspired you?
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
Join the team
Engineering stands at the forefront of progress and offers impactful career opportunities for women in engineering. If you are a creative thinker or born problem solver, there are multiple career paths available for those at the beginning of their career or looking to transfer their skills into a new role.
Find all our current opportunities and apply here.
