STOCKPORT STUDENT INSPIRING FEMALE ENGINEERS

“Female students shouldn’t rule out engineering”, that is according to Stockport College HNC Civil Engineering student Chelsea Lomo, who is encouraging more girls to take advantage.

“Employers call for diversity at the workplace. Male or Female I say if you want to do something in life just do it doesn’t matter who you are or what sex you are just go for it!” says Chelsea, 19-years-old from Stockport and already working four days a week at the Sale based engineering firm, Jacobs.

As Stockport College & their University Centre are welcoming more women into science and engineering courses, Jacobs Engineering Group is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of professional technical services. They offer support to industrial, commercial and government clients across multiple markets, including scientific and all aspects of engineering and construction.

In the work place Chelsea (pictured left) undertakes tasks such as:

AutoCAD drawings, Desk Study Reports, Calculations, Schedules and Supervision of site work to include Intrusive Ground Investigation i.e. Boreholes, Trial Pits and window sampling.

She comes from a family who have traditionally followed the Hair/Beauty/Performing Arts/Media and other trades but until now she has broken that trend by following her own desire to become an Architect but has ended up taking an engineering route and finds it very challenging/interesting and most of all rewarding.

“People tried to put me off but I was determined to do what was best for me.  I think women bring a different perspective to the table. Equal representation is especially important in engineering, as engineers design products and solve problems that affect a male and female world.”

Students achieving a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering may follow various career pathways including the route towards membership of the Institution of Civil or Structural Engineers by further studies on an accredited Engineering Degree course.

Chelsea talks about the common myth that if you become an engineer you’re going to be fixing cars, machines etc. when in actual fact nearly all her work is office based with occasional site visits. She added: “I think the reason that turns women away from a career in engineering is that as a society we have a misperception of what engineering is.”

“It’s challenging. There’s a lot Maths, Science and technical aspects involved in both the work place and in my studies but as I said I find it very rewarding.”

She finished by saying: “I would encourage girls not to rule out engineering as a career.”

Science, Maths & Engineering HE lecturer George Taylor said:

“We encourage and support both male and female students here at the College. Raising the profile of talented female engineers is one of the many key targets of the programme. We’re also making innovative changes to our working culture to ensure we have an environment where both women and men thrive through academic and personal achievement.”