Redefining what a role in engineering looks like

International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the achievements of women engineers, shining a spotlight on innovation, creativity, and inclusion across the sector. To mark the occasion, we welcomed a panel of engineering professionals for a discussion on the many different paths into engineering. Their discussion had a clear message throughout: there is no single career journey or way of thinking that defines you as an engineer. Here’s a roundup of some of the key takeaways from the event.

Human skills are more important than ever

The future of engineering will be shaped as much by human skills as by technical expertise. One panellist reflected on growing up surrounded by early computers, tape decks, and arcade games, explaining how those experiences sparked a curiosity that continues to shape their approach today. They described curiosity as sitting at the heart of engineering and innovation, enabling people to learn, explore, and solve problems from different perspectives.

As AI continues to transform industries, human skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking will become even more valuable. Rather than replacing engineers, AI has the potential to improve efficiency, freeing up time to focus on more complex challenges, breakthrough ideas, and creating meaningful impact.

Engineering has no single career path

With their varied backgrounds, the panellists reminded us there’s no typical route into engineering. Several speakers shared how their family inspired an early interest in building, creating, or understanding how things work, while others discovered engineering through entirely different disciplines.

One panellist, although not formally trained as an engineer originally, always had a lifelong curiosity about how things work which led them into the profession later in life. Another described how their early interest in infrastructure developed into a career delivering projects that protect communities and improve everyday life.

Perhaps the most striking story came from a panellist who recalled being told that engineering was "a terrible career for women." Rather than discouraging them, the comment became a source of motivation to prove the stereotype wrong. Today, they are passionate about inspiring the next generation to see engineering as an exciting, rewarding, and accessible career for everyone.

Whilst each panellist had a different route to where they are in their career today, they all shared an innate sense of curiosity, resilience, adaptability, and a desire to make a positive difference.

Engineering is about creating real-world impact

From protecting communities to developing technologies that improve everyday lives, many of the speakers shared how the most rewarding moments in their careers were not technical achievements but seeing their work make a tangible difference to people. Engineering is ultimately about solving real-world problems and creating lasting impact.

Women are key to the future of engineering

Women remain underrepresented across many engineering disciplines. The panel discussed the importance of making engineering more attractive and accessible for future generations through strong role models, mentoring, outreach programmes, and employee networks.

It is also important that allyship is not just a discussion topic but is actively practised through everyday actions in the workplace – creating opportunities, challenging bias, and advocating for others wherever possible.

Confidence shouldn’t limit opportunity

Structural and cultural constraints can cause self-doubt that often holds people back from seizing the exciting career opportunities they deserve. The panel encouraged balancing ambition with humility, recognising that self-doubt can also be a sign of continuous learning, and a willingness to keep improving.

If you don’t know where to start with overcoming self-doubt, seek out mentors, build strong networks, openly discuss challenges, and remember that nobody is expected to excel at everything. Confidence is built through action rather than waiting until you feel completely ready.