Zoë Gottlieb, Engineering Project Manager at Veolia gives her perspective on Women’s engineering day. As a 28-year-old working in the sector, Zoë offers a first-hand insight into her experience in a male-dominated industry, as well as what the day means to her.
What do you love about your job?
Without a doubt, my favourite aspect of the role is the people I get to work alongside. Large-scale construction projects require extensive planning, communication and teamwork. I take pride in managing a team where everyone has the same goals and is passionate about finding sustainable solutions, contributing to ecological transformation and combating climate change. I also love mentoring other strong, influential women and demonstrating what is possible.
At Veolia, the significance of my work extends far beyond the construction site. Each project contributes to a sustainable, net-zero future and it is a privilege to be part of a company that is actively shaping a better world for generations to come. In my role, I’m encouraged to bring new innovative ideas to the table to find the best solutions for our clients, which is something I love.
The feeling of reward and accomplishment once a project is complete is fantastic. We work in a high-pressure, demanding industry where the ability to learn and adapt quickly is crucial. However, with the right people and a strong team around you, the results can be exceptional.
Did you always want to be an engineer? Why? Did you have any role models? What inspired you?
From the age of 17, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. It all started during a summer trip to a country in the Middle East, where I witnessed incredible innovations through the use of solar panels and new technology. Seeing such creative solutions to critical problems ignited a passion in me for engineering that has never waned.
Throughout my engineering journey, I found inspiration in the achievements of women like Dr Frances Arnold, a chemical engineer and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry. Her work in directed evolution has paved the way for sustainable solutions in various fields. Dr. Arnold’s perseverance and groundbreaking contributions have shown me that women can lead and innovate at the highest levels in engineering, reinforcing my determination to make a difference in my field.
While my path has been shaped by patience, grit and determination, I hope to serve as a role model for the next generation of women engineers, proving that with passion and resilience, we can achieve remarkable things.
Has it been challenging to be a woman in engineering?
Many women have made significant contributions to engineering and efforts are underway to promote gender diversity, inclusivity and support systems for women in these fields which is why I love initiatives such as IWED.
There are still lingering stereotypes and biases that portray engineering as a male-dominated field, which can discourage some women from considering or persisting in these careers. I think it is important to have role models and guidance and I really enjoy seeing young women come into the industry where I can teach and encourage them so I would recommend a mentor to anyone!
Why should women consider an engineering or construction career?
While the engineering and construction fields have historically been male-dominated, the world is moving forward and increasing diversity and inclusion in engineering and construction can lead to more innovative and effective solutions, benefiting society as a whole.
Engineering careers offer intellectually stimulating and challenging work opportunities.You have to apply problem-solving skills, creativity and analytical thinking to design and build innovative solutions that improve people’s lives and shape the world around us.
I particularly enjoy the opportunities for innovation and working with a hands-on leadership approach, seeing tangible results with an end goal to work towards. The skills learnt in engineering and construction roles are valuable and transferable in any professional setting, meaning you really are future proofing your capabilities and growing on the job.
What benefits do days such as International Women in Engineering Day have?
Days such as International Women in Engineering Day have an amazing impact on my industry and create awareness for the fantastic work we do, as well as highlighting the opportunities moving forward. The world of work is vastly different to what it was 20 years ago and IWED gives us a real platform to highlight the positive changes that have been made through the efforts of strong, influential women with a desire to succeed. IWED is incredibly important to tackle stereotypes, pioneer change and break down barriers, opening minds to a career in engineering.
Networking and mentorship opportunities are also created as these events often provide opportunities for women engineers to connect, network and share experiences. They can facilitate mentorship relationships, which can be valuable for career development and overcoming challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields. I encourage all women, just getting started or vastly experienced, to take a look at the roles available and get involved with open days, webinars and workshops to learn more about how engineering can be your next adventure.