Celebrating Women in Engineering

What better way to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day than to interview our colleague Laura, who has just recently finished her Engineering degree. She is a member of Acoste and is working towards achieving EngTech status soon.

Could you please briefly describe your current position at SAS Energy?

I work as a project estimator. This means I work with the design and construction departments to evaluate the requirements for commercial and industrial solar PV projects (up to 17 MW) and create budgets. My typical day involves communicating project scopes with different contractors, negotiating prices to secure cost-effective procurement, and ensuring competitiveness. Additionally, I am involved in enhancing business processes and have introduced a project management platform within the company, with a focus on optimizing our workflows.

?Why have you chosen renewables as your path?

To be honest, it all began with a plan to secure a steady job in a field that isn't easily affected by pandemics or economic downturns. Energy is the foundation of everything we observe in the world, and even though renewable energy efforts may be overlooked by political authorities for a few more election cycles, it’s inevitable that we will need to fully rely on renewables sooner or later. My initial plan has evolved into a genuine passion for supporting a sustainable future, and I am truly committed to promoting energy independence wherever possible.

?You have recently finished your Engineering degree, what are your thoughts and aspirations for the future?

My aspiration is to shape my career path into a more technically stimulating and multi-faceted role in sustainable development and renewable energy beyond solar PV.

What breakthroughs in engineering have you seen that inspire you about the future?

I'm fascinated by biomedical engineering innovations, even though they're unrelated to the energy industry. While nanotechnologies are still in the R&D phase, breakthroughs such as tissue engineering and lab-on-a-chip devices have the potential to completely transform our lives. It's a very complex subject, but strangely enough, it was one of my favourites in university.

What are your thoughts on the role of women in the energy industry and how is the sector evolving in terms of gender equality?

I support a balanced and fair environment, and I believe that there should be more women within the energy industry, particularly in leadership and engineering positions. I do not advocate for quotas or surface-level diversity initiatives, as these are not effective in the long run, particularly in the industry where technical expertise is crucial. I think that the lack of representation stems from societal perceptions that engineering is a predominantly male field, and I believe that practical measures such as increased access to education and mentorship programs could significantly address this issue.

What would be your message to all the young women who are entering the sector now?

Seek out mentors, support one another, and never hesitate to stand up for yourself and your ideas.

Big thanks to Laura for taking the time to answer these questions. Best of luck with everything you choose to pursue in the future!