Mott MacDonald Bentley celebrates International Women in Engineering Day 2024
- Charlotte Hobson
- Jun 21, 2024
- 1 min read
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’m not sure I can pin this down to one individual. Throughout my career there have been so many people who have inspired me; my Design Technology teacher in school, the first Site Agent who truly believed in my aspirations and where my career could lead me to leading women who showed me that you really can do it all.
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
Opportunity. The opportunities are endless. From creating innovative ideas, to the development of design, to the technological advances that will open career roles that don’t even exist yet and then being able to build and watch that innovative idea come to life…there is no other career like it.
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?
My dad is a structural engineer in oil and gas which opened my eyes to the world of engineering. He guided me towards planning as he believed it would suit my personality and he was right! At the time there weren’t many female role models I was aware of, but I hope to become a female role model to other young girls, including my daughter, looking to join the industry.
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
The work is really varied and interesting, you’re always working as a team which is really fulfilling. A key part for me is getting to see the end product of your work in the built environment which provides a very tangible result of the team’s hard work whether that’s a sewage treatment plant, a shopping complex or a brand-new school. It’s a really satisfying industry to be a part of.
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 was never really exposed to any inspiration in the form of females working in industry, what I did have however was a fantastic set of parents who always told me I could do and be whatever I wanted to be, and even when I have had knocks and wobbles that has always stuck with me throughout my career.
At one point I was convinced I was going to be the next Britney Spears however sadly that was not meant to be and instead I opted for the more sensible approach of studying Law at University. After graduation I decided to embark on further part time study and eventually landed an admin role alongside my studies which just so happened to be in the commercial department. I was fortunate that I had some great bosses along the way who saw my potential almost straight away and steered me into the path of quantity surveying and the rest they say is history!
Although I didn't have a female role model to look to in the industry, I hope to be exactly that to our own females to show that you can and help to inspire more females into the industry. There are roles for everyone, and it is important to highlight this to younger generations who may not have considered a career in this area.
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
It’s exciting, it’s fast paced, it’s dynamic and there is rarely a dull day! There are also many great people that you will meet along the way so it’s not just a great opportunity to work on interesting projects but also potentially to forge some lifelong friendships and relationships along the way, I know I certainly have.
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?
Through school, I had one particularly amazing teacher who would always tell me that I'd make a great engineer - of course I didn't listen to them at the time, but it definitely planted the seed! I was inspired to pursue a career in process engineering due to my love of maths and chemistry. During my degree, I undertook an industrial placement further solidified my career aspiration due to the fantastic team here at JN Bentley and MMB.
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
I would recommend a role in Process Engineering as there are so many opportunities. Working in design and construction at MMB is really rewarding as you are able to see your designs being implemented on site.
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 was inspired by the love of problem solving and an offhand comment from my physics teacher - "the country will always need engineers". I think my dad was training the problem solving without me even realising it.
I would recommend a role in civil engineering because…
…you get the chance to build something that makes a difference to the world around you. Civil because I loved water and natural processes but there are so many different bits I get to learn about every day.
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.
