International Women in Engineering Day 2022

 

 

23 June 2022 is International Women in Engineering Day. To celebrate we asked Priyanka Sonawane, one of our engineering team ladies, to tell us more about her life in engineering.

 

 

1. Priyanka, why did you choose engineering as a career?

When I was little I enjoyed playing with Lego blocks a lot – I used to build houses and bridges! Later in my teenage years, I liked watching documentaries and understanding the concepts and design principles behind various engineering projects. These things helped me to understand my natural interest in civil engineering.

2. Do you feel that you’ve been supported – as a woman – to pursue a career in engineering?

I faced resistance when I was choosing engineering as a career. I’m from a middle class Indian family, and many people tried to convince me that civil engineering is for men and that it wouldn’t be a good career choice for me. But, my parents firmly believed in me and supported my decision to pursue civil engineering for which I consider myself truly fortunate.

3. Where would you like your career to head in the future?

I am aiming to grow as a credible civil engineer specifically in the field of highway and inclusive design. And along the way if I can inspire even a single girl to choose civil engineering as a career then the obstacles that I have faced, will all be worth it.

4. What’s the most rewarding thing for you, in being an engineer?

When I use my knowledge and design skills to help people live their life in a better way. When I see people use the public spaces or highways designed by someone like me, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I have been part of something that’s helping people in a very subtle way, everyday.

5. The theme for this year’s International Women in Engineering Day is ‘inventors and innovators’. Do you have a particular invention/innovation or inventor/innovator that you admire?

I admire Sir M. Vishveshwarayya, an Indian civil engineer who invented the automated floodgates to control dam overflows, which were first installed on Khadakwasla Dam, India in 1903. When I was in 8th grade, I visited the dam during a study trip and saw those gates operating perfectly fine even after a century. In that moment, I realised the long-lasting impact an engineer can have on society and I subconsciously decided to become an engineer some day.

6. What would you say to a woman embarking on a career in engineering?

I would say, don’t be afraid to choose what you are passionate about. You might not have answers for all of the  questions straightaway, but trust yourself and you’ll eventually be able find those and prove that your decision was correct.

Find out more about Momentum’s engineering team and its work at momentum-transport.com/service/engineering/