Together we Engineer! #EngineeringHeroes
Together we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day.
Our Learning and Development Manager, Johanne Moohan was pleased to attend an event in Turnbull High School in advance of International Women in Engineering Day. Johanne set a structures challenge using foam blocks for the 60 female secondary school pupils who attended the event. The event was led by TonyGee and Wills Bros have supported the event over the last couple of years, alongside a number of other employers.
Read some fascinating stories from our engineering heroines below.
Merve Kale, Engineer/Quantity Surveyor
#EngineeringHeroes
How did you become interested in engineering, and what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
My father was a Surveyor, and as a child, growing up in Türkiye, I loved to spend time with him and was always very interested in everything he did. He used to bring some surveying equipment home after work, and I enjoyed discovering how it worked. He would show me how he used it. My two older sisters, went on to work in healthcare, but I was happier to follow in my fathers’ footsteps. When you train to be an Engineer in Türkiye, you learn everything about running and managing a project. This means that since I have been in the UK, my qualifications have allowed me to work both as a Site Engineer, and a Quantity Surveyor. I love that my work involves creating something new, which will improve the lives of the people in the communities in which I am working.
What have you learnt whilst working in the industry that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?
Schools and colleges may provide you with all the theory, but you only really grasp the practicalities that are involved, once you get out on a site. You need to take the problem-solving methods you have learned and choose the safest, most economical, and most aesthetic way to apply to your project. And you can really only learn this on a site. One big change I found was suddenly being surrounded by older people (mainly men) and having to learn how to build working relationships with them. Until then I had been accustomed to being surrounded by my peers, and it was quite a culture shock. You must learn how to gain their respect, and also to give them yours. They may have been working on these sites for many years and so have a lot of experience and skills that you can learn from. I also found that the works I may have planned in the office, often need to be changed once I get on site, as the conditions, are rarely exactly how you thought they were going to be. You must learn how to adapt and problem-solve.
What is a misconception or stereotype about women in engineering that you would like to challenge?
‘Women can’t do fieldwork – they’re not physically suited for it’ – this is a misconception. Field work involved far more than physical strength, it demands skills such as planning, attention to detail, effective communication, and analytical thinking. Women can excel in there areas and are capable of thriving in field based roles.
Can you share an example of a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
I take pride in the work delivered across all the projects I have been involved in, as well as in every project to which I have contributed meaningful value. The project I’m most proud of in this regard is the A30 project, which marked the beginning of my career in the UK with Wills Bros. It served as a significant milestone, shaping both my professional development and personal growth. As a foreigner entering a new country , even though engineering is a universal discipline, I managed to establish myself in a sector I had not previously worked in: the road industry, and all in a language that is not my mother tongue. This transition was undoubtedly challenging, yet it proved to be a valuable learning experience that enhanced both my technical and interpersonal skills. I must also acknowledge the invaluable support of my teammates, who have stood by me from day one. Their encouragement and collaboration played a crucial role in my successful integration and ongoing contributions.
Jola Brown, Geotechnical Engineer
#Engineering Heroes
How did you become interested in engineering, and what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
‘When I was younger, I always wanted to be a doctor. However, my grades weren’t quite up to scratch, so I decided I would look at nursing instead (At the time I believed I still wanted to work in healthcare). I was fortunate, that before going to university, a family friend helped me to gain a 6-week placement at a hospital. I soon realised that I was not cut out for a hospital career, as I could not cope with the sight of blood, and really did not enjoy the experience at all. So, I called the clearing service at Cardiff University where I was headed, explaining I had changed my mind. I was good at maths, but did not want to study pure maths, and asked what my options were. They suggested Civil Engineering. I was not even sure what it was but decided to give it a try. As it turns out, I loved it. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the role, and contributing to the creation of something tangible, that stays in place and is used by the general public on a daily basis.
What have you learnt during your time at WSP that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?
(Jola is currently working as the WSP’s representative at our Chudleigh Road Site in Exeter) – The main thing I have learned is to expect there to be issues! Drawings that are made with such care and precision in the office, frequently need adaptation once you are out on site. I have also learned that this role has much more to do with communication than you are led to believe. It is so important to keep the communication flowing between the consultant and the contractor.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in engineering. And if so, how did you overcome them?
One of the challenges has been finding quality PPE that actually fits! Boots and gloves have been a huge challenge, as the standard options on offer simply do not fit or are not fit for purpose.
What are some of the misconceptions or stereotypes about women in engineering that you would like to challenge?
There may be a misconception where women are considered to be too emotional, and weak to be able to do the job. There may well be aspects of physicality where women are unable to compete on a level playing field with the men. (I definitely needed help when I was carrying all my kit over distances). However, that does not make me unable to do my job. My ability to use the equipment accurately, understand the results and problem solve, is not diminished by this.
Can you share an example of a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of.
I have recently been nominated for the ‘Ground Engineering Rising Star Award’ by a client for a project I completed for them. I was given the task of reviewing and streamlining the inspection frequency data for all their assets throughout the south-west region. This comprises 5,864 earthworks covering over 1,600km. My goal was to bring the Highways Authority’s’ inspection regime into line with the new approach developed by Safety, Engineering and Standards (SES). Using a Python Script (a programme which asked a series of yes/no questions), I was able to define a set of rules to determine the recommended return period for each earthwork using key asset categories, such as feature grade assessments, geology, earthwork classification and morphology. The entire process was documented and condensed into an 18 page report which is now available on GDMS and currently is in use as a guide for other UK regions. Being recognised by a client for a piece of work is really special, and I am looking forward to the award ceremony in London, where I shall find out if I have won!
