In Australia, women make up just 12 per cent of engineers. At school level, girls perform just as well as boys in maths and science, but stereotypes about STEM see relatively few women qualify as engineers as adults.

Yet engineering offers a uniquely rewarding career for anyone who is passionate about solving the world’s problems. To mark International Women in Engineering Day (June 23), we speak to five talented IPWEA members about why they pursued a career in engineering, the future of their profession, and why they love their job.

Rita Excell, ADVI Executive Director | IPWEA President:

 As a Civil Engineering graduate, my first role was in local government and this gave me the opportunity to develop the knowledge I gained at university across the many disciplines within Council, before I finally settled on my passion of transport planning and road safety.

 The way we move and the way we work will be changed forever after COVID19, so, more than ever, local government engineers will need to focus on delivering reliable, safe, affordable and accessible infrastructure to support wherever people choose to live and work.

 My role with ARRB and ADVI sees me at the forefront of research and technology, which is exciting in these transformative times. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to translate research into practice and help develop and enhance the work that public works professionals perform on behalf of their communities.

Clarissa Campbell, Engineering Design Manager:

I have always enjoyed maths and problem solving. As an engineer, sometimes I get to do first principles calculations by hand, other times I get to create a spreadsheet, and every day I get to solve theoretical and practical problems. What I love most about my job is that no two days are the same. 

I see the future of engineering in local government as using existing infrastructure for as long as possible, through extending its life using AI to target inspections and maintenance, to repairing using innovative technology, and using the waste products at the end of its life in useful and environmentally friendly ways.  

Pam Wilson, Water Engineer:

I was drawn to a career in asset management and engineering because I was interested in how things work and wanted to be involved in helping to build and maintain infrastructure for the future of our local communities.    

Asset management and engineering in local government are vital for shaping the communities that we live in.  The future of asset management and engineering in local government is exciting because there are vast opportunities to adopt new technologies and methods in how we create resilient and sustainable infrastructure for our communities.  

 I love my job because I’m drawn to both the creative and technical sides of solving problems and shaping the communities that we live in for the future.  I also love that my job provides a lot of day-to-day variety and opportunities for both personal and professional development.  

Jacqueline Balston, Director of Sustainability, IPWEA: 

A love of design and a head for problem solving and mathematics started me in an engineering degree that later morphed into a Bachelor of Applied Science because of my concern for the natural world. My career in applied climatology has spanned fisheries, natural resources, agriculture, health and infrastructure has now brought me full circle back to engineering. I love the challenge of solving complex problems, researching solutions and communicating pathways forward to bring about positive changes for us and our natural environment.

From my perspective, the future of engineering for local government can only be green. As our ever-increasing population and consumption eats into remaining resources, generates pollution and changes the climate, we must find more sustainable and resilient solutions. To avoid dangerous climate change, we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero before 2050 – a change that will require us to completely re-evaluate the design, purchase, operation and disposal of all our built and transport assets.     

Kimberly Brosztl. Manager Engineering:

Public Works Engineering is an integral part of local government and will continue to evolve as we strive to deliver the products and services needed and expected by the community in a sustainable way. I was drawn to engineering as it gave me the opportunity to use maths and science to solve problems. I liked the thought that I could take an innovative idea and turn it into a practical reality. As Manager of Engineering, I love working with my team to deliver projects which can transform an area and improve safety and amenity. It is a great feeling to be able to see the positive impact a project we have implemented can have on the community.