Empowering young women in engineering: shaping the future of STEM fields

Today marks Women In Engineering Day 2024, and it’s fantastic to see individuals and organisations celebrate the pivotal role of women in the engineering industry and reaffirm their commitment to fostering interest among young women in STEM fields. Today, as we look towards the future of engineering, it is more crucial than ever to encourage and support young women in pursuing careers in this dynamic and innovative industry.?

Despite advancements in gender equality in recent years, the engineering industry continues to face a significant gender gap. It is essential to address the disparities present in the representation of women in STEM fields and actively work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. By engaging and inspiring young women to explore opportunities in engineering, we can bring fresh perspectives, talent and creativity into the industry, driving innovation and progress.?

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Inspiring the next generation?

One of the key pillars of empowering young women in engineering is instilling a passion for STEM subjects from a young age. By providing educational resources, mentorship programmes, and exposure to real-world engineering projects, we can ignite curiosity and inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering. Encouraging girls to explore their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help them envision a future where they thrive in challenging and rewarding engineering roles.?

For this reason, I felt that there was an opportunity to leverage my own experience to play an active role in helping young women discover their passion for engineering and support them in acquiring the skills they’ll need to pursue successful, fulfilling careers in the field. Earlier this year, I became a STEM Ambassador – a voluntary role pairing me with young individuals who have an interest in STEM fields.?

It’s been inspiring to work with plenty of young individuals in the local community, which included my first volunteering opportunity at Marden High School in North Shields in April to carry out mock interviews with year 9 students. This really highlighted the importance of engaging with the next generation of potential engineers at an early stage to ensure they’re given as much guidance as possible to help prepare them for the future, identifying roles that may be of interest or skills they’d like to pursue.?

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Supporting career development?

In addition to sparking interest in STEM fields, it is essential to provide young women with the support and resources they need to navigate the path towards a successful career in engineering. Networking opportunities and career guidance can play a crucial role in helping young women identify their strengths, set ambitious goals, and overcome obstacles in their professional journey.??

North Tyneside Learning Trust’s STEAM Live was another event I recently participated in at the beginning of June – a large-scale jobs fair which saw approximately 500 pupils from 17 nearby schools in attendance. The objective was to provide these students with insights into various opportunities in STEM careers, and witnessing the level of engagement from the children was an incredible experience which will undoubtedly inspire some of them to pursue a future in engineering.?

Schools, colleges and universities are often grateful to receive support from businesses in the local area who are open to engage with them and their students, and it’s important to remember that support can come in many forms. I’d highly recommend opening a discussion with educational institutions in your organisation’s local area to learn if there are opportunities to get involved in talks with students, advertising graduate and apprenticeship opportunities and participating in open days where young women can learn more about the services your business provides and discover pathways into successful engineering careers.?

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Building a more inclusive future?

We all have a responsibility to champion the education, empowerment, and advancement of young women in STEM fields, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future. Women In Engineering Day is always a key date in the year to raise awareness and remind everyone of that goal, and it’s always rewarding to see it inspire the next generation of female engineers, break down barriers, and help shape a world where women are valued, respected, and celebrated for their contributions to engineering and beyond.?