#INWED18: tackling stigma through engineering change

Paula Ruiz, Proposals Engineer, Alpheus Environmental, talks about tackling stigma through engineering change

This Saturday, 23^rd June, marks International Women in Engineering Day (INWED18). Its aim is to celebrate women in engineering and encourage more girls and young women to consider engineering as a career.

As a proposals engineer with Alpheus Environmental, water and wastewater Management Company, part of the Anglian Water Group, it is great to see such events taking place, which are critical to tackling the stigma surrounding women and engineering.

For 2018, the aim of the Day is to aim higher, with the theme of #RaisingTheBar, addressing the prejudices which mean that even in the 21st Century engineering is still thought of as a job for a man. Not enough female role models and gender stereotyping are well documented as reasons why girls don't choose engineering, as are misconceptions about the job itself, which isn't always about getting your hands dirty.