Macquarie University hosted more than 80 attendees at the 2024 Women in Engineering Forum which celebrated leaders across industry and academia, connected students from undergraduate and higher degree with academy and industry, and included career insights, mental health strategies, networking advice and roundtable discussions.
28 Oct 2024
Women Leaders Share Insights at Macquarie Women in Engineering Forum
Macquarie University’s School of Engineering hosted a Women in Engineering Leadership Forum on 23 October with more than 80 academics, students and industry professionals attending for the event which included an expert panel discussion, mental health advice, career round-tables and the launch of a new mentoring program.
The event was coordinated by Dr Bandita Mainali, Director of Women in Engineering and Lecturer in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.
Professor Lucy Marshall, Executive Dean of Science and Engineering, introduced the event, setting the tone with an optimistic view of industry changes.
“For too long, a narrow slice of our society has been creating solutions and contributing to shaping our communities,” said Professor Marshall. “I'm starting to see some green shoots in how we might be changing the dialogue around gender equity in engineering.”
Professor Marshall cited a trend for female engineering graduates to now have higher starting salaries than their male counterparts and encouraged attendees to keep networking. “The people that you meet in rooms like this are the ones who become your support network for life,” she said.
Professor Marshall was moderator for an expert panel of six highly experienced and accomplished female engineering leaders:
- Ms Lauren Allen, Head of Technical Services, Transport for NSW;
- Ms Sakura Mukhodyapaya, Overhead Wiring Engineer, Arcadis;
- Ms Lidija Dumbaloska, Director of Energy Networks and Systems, Transport for NSW;
- Dr Felicia Weir, Principal Engineering Geologist, PSM;
- Ms Sylvia Iskander, Engineering Manager TLS NSW, Downer RTS and
- Ms Rosemary Crowhurst, Regional Director, Assets South, Transport for NSW.
Leadership Stories
The panellists shared powerful stories about overcoming challenges throughout their careers. Dr Felicia Weir spent a year in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands, managing a critical situation at the OK Tedi mine site. “It was challenging technically and personally,” said Dr Weir, who had a one-year old child at the time and had to negotiate different cultural backgrounds in an international workforce.
Sylvia Iskander described her surprise when her engineering manager invited her to apply for his role when he was retiring. “I just looked at him, thinking: me – an engineering manager? That job is for old, white men with thick glasses; that’s what I had seen all the time," said Iskander. She now manages a team of 47 engineers.
“Merit is a myth; and the further we get into this change, the more we can squash that myth,” said Rosemary Crowhurst. Lauren Allen agreed and encouraged women in the audience to network and to put themselves forward for roles.
Superpowers and sustainability
Professor Marshall asked panellists to nominate their ‘superpower’. Lauren Allen said she often didn’t speak up in meetings early in her career. “Eventually I realised I’m a really clear thinker and good at connecting the dots, so I speak up. My superpower: I say it as I see it, and help others bring their voice to the table.”
Sakura Mukhodyapaya, a Macquarie University mechatronics engineering graduate, said frequent moves during childhood helped her develop adaptability. “My superpower is being able to adapt to different environments with different people, because any project in engineering is all about teamwork.”
Environmental responsibility emerged as a key theme. “My job is to take a road that's designed for 20 years and make it last 50. We constantly look for ways to reuse material,” said Crowhurst.
“We won’t achieve our green economy without mining - we need the copper, we need the lithium. My job is to minimise the footprint that we have on the earth while doing that,” said Dr Weir.
Supporting New Engineers
Audience questions included anxieties about entering the workforce. “I was scared that I would get a project on the first day and not know where to start,” said one student.
Panellists described different schemes good employers should have in place to support new staff, including a ‘buddy,’ mentors and graduate rotation programs. “How can you enter any job or situation and know everything?” said Allen. “If you are offered a job, it’s because they want you - you need to interview them. You need to tell them what you need in this role.”
Following the panel discussion, author, materials scientist and meditation coach Dr Narjes Gorjizadeh gave a presentation on managing stress. A session on Engineers Australia was followed by round-table discussions with industry partners.
Concluding the event, Dean of Engineering Professor Aman Oo announced a new mentoring program connecting Macquarie's women engineering students with industry professionals, launching in early 2025.
Dr Mainali will coordinate the program. “By fostering a community of mentorship, we are breaking down barriers, building confidence, and creating pathways for the next generation of female engineers to excel in a field where their voices and talents are essential for shaping a more inclusive and dynamic engineering future,” she said.
Lauren Allen’s words resonated with many in the audience. “We need young people to come into the industry. We need you to bring your new, current skills, your perspectives, the problems of the world you're facing and the things you’re passionate about.”
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