Since beginning our UK Summer School programme in 1997, we have supported over 709 women to learn more about engineering. In 2019, we took the step to create our Pathways to Engineering programme with the goal of further improving social mobility in the engineering sector. This year, Pathways to Engineering has partnered with the University of Liverpool, University of Warwick, Cardiff University, and several partner engineering firms to support a further 48 women.  

To celebrate Women In Engineering Day 2023, we hear from Mishka – a Building Service Engineer at one of our key employer partners on the programme, Ramboll, about how she discovered her passion for engineering. 

Life has a remarkable way of guiding us down unexpected paths. As a 25-year-old woman specialising in electrical engineering, my career journey has been anything but conventional. 

Growing up in Malawi, a small country in Africa, I faced cultural expectations of academic excellence and the pursuit of high-paying professions. The pressure to become a doctor, engineer, accountant, lawyer, or risk being considered a failure was prevalent within my half-Indian, half-South African heritage. 

After completing my IGCSEs in Malawi, I pursued A-levels in the UK, aiming for academic excellence and securing offers for electrical and electronics engineering at university. Seeing the pride in my father’s eyes as his eldest daughter pursued engineering fuelled my motivation. 

However, shortly after starting university, doubts flooded my mind. I questioned the nature of an electrical engineer’s daily work, job prospects without prior experience, the writing demands of assignments, the burden of student debt, and the potential isolation as a female engineer. 

These concerns drove me to take a gap year, during which I worked part-time in retail while actively seeking work experience opportunities and attending networking events. It was during one of these events that a mechanical engineer introduced me to the concept of degree apprenticeships. 

The idea of gaining a B-ENG degree, practical industry experience, and financial stability without accumulating student loans resonated deeply with me. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time work and studying, I wholeheartedly embraced the pursuit of a degree apprenticeship. 

My journey began at ChapmanBDSP, a company with a small office in Birmingham consisting of 10 engineers and BIM technicians, including just one other young female engineer. Having another female presence in the office provided a sense of familiarity and support. Despite being in the minority, my male colleagues consistently made efforts to ensure our comfort and inclusion. 

During my time at ChapmanBDSP, I honed essential skills such as punctuality, effective communication, and familiarity with industry-specific software. These seemingly small lessons played a significant role in my professional growth. After two years, my chapter at ChapmanBDSP concluded. 

Undeterred, I set my sights on Pick Everard, a reputable multidisciplinary company where several of my university peers were employed. I secured an interview and eagerly anticipated an offer. Unfortunately, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty and disruption, postponing the outcome until their offices reopened. 

As maintaining employment was crucial for my degree apprenticeship, this setback left me in a precarious situation, potentially jeopardising my job and my position in the degree programme. During this challenging time, I took on various part-time jobs and even explored an alternative path by attending beauty school to pursue my interest in facial aesthetics. However, after a year and a half, I realised my true calling lay in engineering problem-solving, designing electrical systems, and engaging in site visits and surveys. 

As the world gradually emerged from the pandemic, I received a long-awaited offer from Pick Everard. The stability and opportunity it provided allowed me to resume my studies and continue working in an industry I have grown to love. Fast forward to 2023, I recently joined Ramboll. Their core values and commitment to sustainability aligned with my professional goals. I am eager to see what the next five years bring. 

Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the doubts that led me to explore unconventional paths and for never giving up. To other young women contemplating a career in STEM, I encourage you to wholeheartedly embrace your passion, seize every opportunity that comes your way, and believe in your abilities. Yes, the journey may present challenges, but it is also immensely rewarding. The industry needs your unique perspective and talents. By joining the ranks of female engineers, you not only open doors for yourself but also pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in STEM. The more women we have in the industry, the better we can shape the culture.