To any woman engineer or future engineer reading this,
As we approach International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we celebrate the achievements, contributions, and impact of women in engineering and technology.
While this is a moment to recognise progress, it also gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and look ahead.
This year, INWED can be more than a celebration. It can be a turning point, a day to focus on your own professional development and take purposeful steps toward your future.
Whether you are a student just beginning to explore engineering, or already working in the profession, this is the perfect time to reflect on where you are and where you want to go next.
Consider the following actions as part of your personal INWED reflection:
- Identify a professional engineering institution aligned with your field and explore membership options.
- If you’re already an associate or affiliate member, look into progressing toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent. I’ve put together a practical guide for you here.
- If you’re a Chartered Engineer, think about applying for Fellowship, recognising your leadership and influence.
- Review your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan. Have you set clear goals for the year ahead? Are you keeping a record of your learning and development?
- Seek out a mentor through a professional body. Mentoring relationships can provide guidance, motivation, and insight at any stage of your career.
Professional institutions offer more than credentials. They connect you with a network of like-minded individuals, provide access to valuable resources, and offer opportunities that can expand your perspective and enhance your career. Engaging with these communities can help you grow into a stronger engineer, and position you for exciting possibilities ahead.
Consider making INWED a recurring date in your calendar, an annual checkpoint to review your professional journey, set goals, and take that next step forward. Progress is both personal and collective. By investing in yourself and connecting with others, you not only shape your own future but contribute to the strength and visibility of women in engineering everywhere.
With clarity, confidence, and purpose, you can engineer your future.
Warm wishes,
Dr Tannaz Pak
International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the work and achievements of women engineers. It takes place every year on 23 June.