I'm sad to say that the 9% is higher than my experiences in study and industry. I do agree that inspiring children about Engineering early on is vital. My company supports me to occasionally volunteer with school STEM visits, and I remember a teacher telling me that most students will consider the jobs that they see their parents or their friends' parents doing. I know thatmy interest was sparked through my Dad's interest and my brother's decision to study engineering. I was also fortunate to be part of schemes such as Engineering Education Scheme Wales, and EMTA Women Into Science and Engineering Events. But I had to search these out in my teens as I considered what to study. If we can get more girls interested sooner, with more to see and to do I think it would really help. I know that many individuals and groups are working hard on this. But maybe it needs something to bring it together?



I agree that it also depends on what happens within a company and how they support you. I also think it's how we support each other. Sometimes we can get territorial about having worked our way to where we are as women in "a man's world". But that just means that each of us has to start the battle again. When we come together to build each other up we can learn from experience, and build on the previous successes more effectively. I'm giving this a go by bringing the women in STEM in my company together with the aim of networking, sharing, learning and supporting each other. If anyone has any suggestions or learnings from similar activities where they are I'd love to hear about them.

I'm sad to say that the 9% is higher than my experiences in study and industry. I do agree that inspiring children about Engineering early on is vital. My company supports me to occasionally volunteer with school STEM visits, and I remember a teacher telling me that most students will consider the jobs that they see their parents or their friends' parents doing. I know thatmy interest was sparked through my Dad's interest and my brother's decision to study engineering. I was also fortunate to be part of schemes such as Engineering Education Scheme Wales, and EMTA Women Into Science and Engineering Events. But I had to search these out in my teens as I considered what to study. If we can get more girls interested sooner, with more to see and to do I think it would really help. I know that many individuals and groups are working hard on this. But maybe it needs something to bring it together?



I agree that it also depends on what happens within a company and how they support you. I also think it's how we support each other. Sometimes we can get territorial about having worked our way to where we are as women in "a man's world". But that just means that each of us has to start the battle again. When we come together to build each other up we can learn from experience, and build on the previous successes more effectively. I'm giving this a go by bringing the women in STEM in my company together with the aim of networking, sharing, learning and supporting each other. If anyone has any suggestions or learnings from similar activities where they are I'd love to hear about them.