Engineers Australia - Women in Engineering Sydney Division celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday 7 March 2013. Engineers Australia invited members and guests for a Cocktail Evening at the Shelbourne Hotel. The night kicked off with some inspiring speakers, mother and daughter team of Dr Catherine Killen; UTS academic in the field of innovation engineering,and Annabel Killen who both spoke about their personal journeys and experiences working in the field of engineering.
Dr Catherine Killen provided great insight into her motivations which lead her to become a mechanical engineer and followed on by conveying her experiences on being the only female engineer at that time within the firm she was employed at. Annabel Killen spoke of her experiences as a Roads and Maritime Services (formerly RTA) scholar and then about her experiences of working at Evans and Peck consultancy. The evening was a great success, with students and professionals participating in the International Women’s Day celebrations and gaining valuable insight into the real experiences of women initiating change in the engineering profession.
This particular event was inspiring as I am a young engineering student myself. Coming from a background where engineering as a profession was not considered, in family and schooling to being in a room full of 50 or so women who have gone on to achieve amazing and exciting endeavours, was a truly invaluable experience. Being the youngest attendee, I met many current university students and many graduates who had secured astonishing graduate programs in their field. Throughout the night, I met inspirational women from all walks of life and those who had held reputable positions. Listening to the speeches of Dr Catherine Killen and Annabel Killen, it was inspiring to see the change of "women in engineering" from one generation to the next. It made me realise how significant this change was, right now, and that I am a part of this transition. Speaking with Dr Catherine Killen and about her background, I had realised that we were very similar, despite the generation gap, and I hope to go on to achieve an astonishing career.
The night went on with a warm buzz amongst the general chatter and delish food. It was unfortunate that the night ended too quickly. Meeting inspirational women from various fields of engineering and who have achieved remarkable success, in a time where society and their gender outnumbers them. The main lesson I had learned from the cocktail event was to not be afraid to put yourself out there amongst strangers. You have nothing to lose and the only person holding you back is yourself! Network as much as you can to those who share your passion for engineering. Meet with people from all walks of life and you never know where it can take you.
This particular event was inspiring as I am a young engineering student myself. Coming from a background where engineering as a profession was not considered, in family and schooling to being in a room full of 50 or so women who have gone on to achieve amazing and exciting endeavours, was a truly invaluable experience. Being the youngest attendee, I met many current university students and many graduates who had secured astonishing graduate programs in their field. Throughout the night, I met inspirational women from all walks of life and those who had held reputable positions. Listening to the speeches of Dr Catherine Killen and Annabel Killen, it was inspiring to see the change of "women in engineering" from one generation to the next. It made me realise how significant this change was, right now, and that I am a part of this transition. Speaking with Dr Catherine Killen and about her background, I had realised that we were very similar, despite the generation gap, and I hope to go on to achieve an astonishing career.
The night went on with a warm buzz amongst the general chatter and delish food. It was unfortunate that the night ended too quickly. Meeting inspirational women from various fields of engineering and who have achieved remarkable success, in a time where society and their gender outnumbers them. The main lesson I had learned from the cocktail event was to not be afraid to put yourself out there amongst strangers. You have nothing to lose and the only person holding you back is yourself! Network as much as you can to those who share your passion for engineering. Meet with people from all walks of life and you never know where it can take you.
As reported by Harshaa Raha, 2012 Sydney Wie Division Scholar and Civil/Environmental Engineering student at the University of Technology, Sydney and Elizabeth Si, 2011 UTS Women in Engineering Scholar and Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Technology, Sydney
