Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21 - 33

WINTER 2020
Host Rachel Riley
with the 2018
YWE finalists

of our lives. Engineers bring ideas to
life, turn dreams into reality and make
solutions to big challenges possible.

Change the world

The IET's awards continue to raise
awareness of what engineers do by
honouring the very best early career
female engineers working in the UK.
" We want to make it clear that
engineering is a fantastic career for
women, " says Jo Foster, the IET's Equality,
Diversity and Inclusion Manager.
" Outdated views and stereotypes are
damaging to the industry, especially
when there is a significant shortage
of engineers, which poses a serious
threat to the economy. It's vital we
champion engineering - it's a diverse,
creative and exciting career, which
offers the opportunity to do something
life - or even - world changing.
" There are thousands of women
engineers doing amazing things, from
advancements in healthcare technology
to space exploration. The Young Woman
Engineer of the Year awards showcase
some of the best female engineering talent
in this country, hopefully encouraging the
next generation to get excited about the
possibilities of an engineering career. "
Recognising and showcasing
outstanding female engineers has never
been so important. As well as highlighting
female engineering talent, the IET Young
Woman Engineer of the Year awards
seek to find role models who can help
address the UK science and engineering
skills crisis by promoting engineering
careers to more girls and women.
Each year, the ceremony takes place
at the IET's headquarters in London -
Savoy Place - and is always very well
attended. Over the years, the likes of
Carol Vorderman, Rachel Riley and
Sandi Toksvig have hosted the ceremony,
which is followed by an inspirational
speaker talking about the work they
are doing to engineer a better world.

Loh. " Winning the YWE award has
provided me with a national and
international platform to share my
story, " says Ying. " I have since gained
some great exposure and expanded my
professional network considerably.
" I've had the opportunity to appear
on TV, radio and podcasts, as well as
being invited to speak at various events
across Europe. The opportunities I've
had already demonstrates how winning
the award has substantially increased
the reach and impact of my STEM
engagements and volunteering. I've also
connected with many high-achieving
and inspiring women in the industry.
" Overall, it has been a wonderful
experience so far which I will always
be grateful for. Engineering is dynamic
and exciting, and I am so glad to be in a
position to share this with students and
wider society. I am proud to be recognised
through this prestigious award and I hope
to use it as a positive catalyst to drive for
more women and diversity in engineering. "
Dr Ozak Esu,
2017 YWE
winner

Prestigious company

Former winners include Sophie Harker,
an aerodynamics and performance
engineer for BAE Systems, Dr Ozak
Esu, who is smart buildings technical
lead at BRE, and Dr Jenni Sidey,
Canadian Space Agency astronaut.
The current IET Young Woman
Engineer of the Year is Ying Wan

JC Autumn 2020 The IET jw3.indd 3

For more information

To discover more about the IET's Young
Woman Engineer of the Year awards
visit conferences.theiet.org/ywe

04/12/2020 16:58
http://conferences.theiet.org/ywe
Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21

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