We all have a role to play in promoting the early adoption of engineering in our young people, especially young women. To mark International Women in Engineering Day on June 23rd we asked two of our technical leaders about their journeys.
Eleanor Stevens is Process Engineering Manager with Malone Group UK and is a qualified Chemical & Biochemical Engineer on the path to Chartered status.
“My first insight into the world of engineering and the opportunities it could afford as a career was through competing in the Engineering Education Scheme Wales which links students to external companies, whereby the students develop and implement a project which supplies innovation for the company. Our team worked on site with QinetiQ to develop a Ballistics shrapnel data capture solution. Effectively capturing physical impact locations and uploading them via a software solution for historian analysis. At the end of the project we presented the solution to a panel of judges where we were presented with the award for the most innovative application of software. After this wonderful opportunity, I was inspired to develop a career that combined both innovation and my own passion, for the real word application of physics, chemistry and maths. This is why I chose a career in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. It affords me the opportunity to develop physical solutions based on mathematical descriptions of the forces that govern the world we live in. It’s a rewarding career and there is a great sense of satisfaction when a production plant is fully commissioned and working efficiently. I would encourage anyone with the same drive and passions to pursue a career in engineering”
Diana Bennett is VP Operations with Malone Group Canada and holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering as well as a M.Sc. in Food Engineering.
“My interest in engineering stemmed from an aptitude and enjoyment of mathematics and sciences. To be honest, I first learned about the field of engineering from my eldest sister who had received a degree in Engineering Physics as well as her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the same time I was starting my university career! I always had a personal engineering mentor close at hand when I needed one. While an undergraduate at university I quickly became interested in Food Processing technologies so I pursued a Master’s Degree with courses in Food Processing, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Food Rheology. I chose an excellent university that specialized in Biological Engineering, Horticulture, Food Sciences….all subjects directly related to the harvesting, processing and storage of foods. My career has taken me from working for global food companies to the engineering design side of the business. I have had the pleasure of working in wineries, bakeries, and chocolate factories. Whether debottlenecking processes or improving the Hygienic Design of a system, each new assignment is an opportunity for learning as well as sharing my own experiences with more junior engineers and technical staff.”
