Advancing the role of women in STEM fields is important for the current and future generations so we are always inspired by the stories of women in engineering. With this in mind, we leant into this year’s theme “Enhanced by Engineering” to find out how engineering has enhanced the lives of some of the women working in STEM here at AIS.
Join us as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2024 and hear from some of the women making an impact here at AIS.
Camélia Boursas, Engineering Manager
Q1. What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Engineering studies offer a wide range of career opportunities and are very stimulating! It can offer the opportunity to work on interesting projects and develop your technical skills.
Engineers play an important role in pushing back the boundaries of applied science and solving the technical problems that enable new heights to be reached.
Q2. How do you feel you’ve been enhanced by engineering?
My role has developed my analytical thinking and improved my decision-making skills. It also enhanced my initiative and leadership as well as communication and interpersonal skills.
Finally, this job taught me that a strong team spirit makes it possible to take on many more challenges.
Q3. What message do you want to share with other women and girls who are interested in a career in engineering?
Don't hesitate and go for it! Curiosity never leads to failure. Leave it to the future to tell the truth!
Saffie Upton, Project Engineer
Q1. What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Since school, I have always had a technical mindset and enjoyed a challenge. When leaving school after completing my A Levels, like a lot of people, I had no idea what I wanted to do. This led to me joining an Aerospace company as a Customer Service Administrator but I soon realised that I found Engineering much more interesting and stimulating for me.
I worked my way from a Customer Service Administrator to a Quality Engineer, completing my Engineering qualifications along the way. I am now working for AIS as a Project Engineer and have been for just over two and a half years now.
Q2. How do you feel you’ve been enhanced by engineering?
Engineering opened my eyes to new opportunities and career paths. It has also helped me grow, both professionally and personally.
Q3. What message do you want to share with other women and girls who are interested in a career in engineering?
To go for it - you can do anything you set your mind to.
Monika Kalafirov, Quality Manager
Q1. What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I was always fascinated with science-related subjects. I have enjoyed solving mathematical problems since my childhood. There was not a specific moment that I could say that inspired me to pursue this specific career path - I just followed my instincts and interests and it got me where I am today.
Q2. How do you feel you’ve been enhanced by engineering?
Setting up experiments, testing, data analysing, seeing how improvements are introduced, and much more - yes, it largely contributes to my sense of fulfilment. Engineering makes me whole, to understand the mechanics underneath working solutions, logic in general and how things are accomplished/achieved based on correctly set and monitored details.
Q3. What message do you want to share with other women and girls who are interested in a career in engineering?
Acknowledge that different thinking is something to be proud of and follow your inner instincts when choosing your career direction, regardless of stereotypes. Make sure that whatever you do, makes you happy.
Click here to discover the thoughts of Project Supervisor, Cassia Sartori and Development Chemist Esme Owen on International Women in Engineering Day 2024.
