Every year, International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) celebrates the achievements of women who are shaping the future of engineering. It is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and innovation that women bring to our industry while inspiring future generations to pursue engineering careers.
To mark this year’s celebration, we spoke with three members at PDS, Melissa, Kate and Paria, about their engineering journeys, challenges, and advice for the next generation.
Three Different Journeys into Engineering
One of the most inspiring themes from the conversations was how differently each of them found their way into the profession.
For Melissa, the journey started at school. After discovering a passion for mathematics, design and technology, she began exploring careers that aligned with her interests and found engineering.
“Engineering is so broad. There’s different areas. There is software, there is the hardware side of things, there is programming. There are so many different areas I could have gone into.” The variety of opportunities available within engineering was a major attraction, leading her to pursue an apprenticeship that launched her career. Nearly seven years later, she still enjoys the diversity and challenge the industry offers.
For Kate, engineering wasn’t part of the original plan. Her career began in warehousing and logistics, where she became increasingly involved in projects featuring automation, control systems and infrastructure technologies. As her understanding grew, so did her passion for the field. “I don’t think I ever sat down when I was young thinking I’m going to be an engineer. But working in engineering and understanding it was something that seemed to light a bit of a fire.”
Today, Kate works on projects supporting critical infrastructure across highways, tunnels and airports, helping ensure systems operate safely, efficiently and reliably.
For Paria, engineering was a natural fit for her curiosity and love of problem-solving. “I always liked solving problems and I was always curious about fixing stuff. I just put the pieces of the puzzle together and thought engineering could be a good fit for me.” Supported by strong mentors and family encouragement, she developed the confidence to pursue a career that she loves.
Engineering That Makes a Real Difference
One of the most rewarding aspects of engineering is seeing the real-world impact of your work.
Melissa’s proudest achievement has been her involvement in the Cargo Tunnel Refurbishment Project, where she had the opportunity to support the project from commissioning on site to FAT. Seeing an entire project lifecycle unfold first-hand provided invaluable experience and a deep sense of accomplishment.
For Paria, one standout moment came when she and a colleague developed improvements that helped tunnel operators perform their jobs more effectively. “We designed it, developed it, tested it, and it was ready to go out on site. The operators were really happy because it made their operation easier. I thought, ‘I helped achieve this.’” Moments like these highlight how engineering can improve everyday operations and deliver meaningful benefits for customers and end users.
Kate points to the responsibility involved in working with critical infrastructure and safety systems as one of the most rewarding parts of her role. “It’s not an easy job and you can’t make mistakes. You have to make sure you’ve done things right because it could be a critical system.”
Positive Changes For Women In The Industry
Melissa has witnessed a significant increase in the number of women entering engineering and a growing culture of support and respect. “Almost seven years later, I’ve really noticed that there are a lot more females within the industry, and there’s a lot more acceptance.” She also highlighted the importance of practical considerations such as suitable welfare facilities, maternity support and ensuring women feel welcomed and represented on site.
Kate believes organisations are becoming more aware of the importance of supporting women in engineering careers, although there is still room for further improvement. From providing appropriate PPE to ensuring facilities on site meet everyone’s needs, these changes help create environments where all engineers can thrive.
Paria reflects on how fortunate many women are to have access to opportunities that are not universally available around the world. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity because I’m aware that women all over the world don’t always have the same opportunity to attend school, go to university or get the jobs they want.” Her perspective serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of continuing to build accessible and inclusive pathways into engineering.
Advice for Future Women Engineers
When asked what advice they would give to young women considering engineering careers, all three shared a common message: believe in yourself.
Melissa encourages young women to pursue engineering if they are passionate about it, adding that “I knew that if I wanted to see more women in engineering, I had to take that step and be the change that I wanted to see.”
Kate believes outdated assumptions should never stand in the way of a career choice. “Engineering isn’t a job just for boys. Everybody is just as capable of doing these roles, and if it’s something that interests you, go for it.”
For Paria, confidence is key. Reflecting on her own journey, she says: “I would tell my younger self not to overthink everything. Have confidence in yourself, because you’re capable of much more than you realise.”
Their advice reflects an industry that is becoming more diverse, more supportive and more welcoming to future generations of women engineers.
Celebrating Women in Engineering
International Women in Engineering Day is more than a celebration of individual achievements. It is a recognition of the diverse perspectives, skills and experiences that strengthen our industry every day.
The stories shared by Melissa, Kate and Paria demonstrate that engineering is a career built on curiosity, resilience, collaboration and innovation. Whether delivering critical infrastructure, developing software solutions or managing complex projects, women are playing a vital role in shaping the future of engineering.
As we celebrate their achievements this INWED, we also look ahead to the next generation of engineers and the opportunities that await them. As Paria puts it: “Now I’m seeing that even those little bits are making a very big impact… I’m actually doing something in this world. It’s just so cool.”
Happy International Women in Engineering Day to all the women helping improve the world around us.
Watch Their Stories
Hear directly from Melissa, Kate and Paria as they share their experiences working in engineering at PDS.
