Breaking the Bias

Today - 8th March 2022 - is International Womens Day, and the theme for this year is #BreakTheBias. We spoke to our Engineer Lizzie-Jean Khan on how she is breaking the bias by working in her role as an engineer, which is a typically male dominated role.

Have you found that engineering tends to be a typically male dominated role?

Yes. Even now after working in the engineering industry since I was 16 years old, I still get the odd “a woman in engineering? Wow” or “you don't get that very often”. I've only ever been the only woman in my class, or my job role and it's always just been something I'm used to.

I'm trained in 'hands on' engineering so old school skills like workshop work and this tends to be populated by the older generation who have managed to stick with this trade their whole careers. I've always worked around men young or old and both are just as great to work with you just get used to being one of the 'Lads'.

How do you feel as a woman working within a typically male dominated industry?

I feel fantastic! It's always a great day being able to prove myself man or woman.
Honestly, I've never been a 'girly girl' I always wanted to play with the boys and ride my BMX and I never understood the way girls used to play or hang out or 'just be' with each other, I got into cars when I was a kid and never wanted to do the same things as my sister did, I always wanted to mess around in the garage with my dad. It doesn't faze me.

Gender has never bothered me, it's never intimidated me or made me feel like I can't be authentic I've always been very comfortable with people age or gender, likes/dislikes I've always been very neutral, so I feel at home anywhere I'm happy and if I get to do a job I like with colleagues who are lovely then that's just an added bonus!

Was it difficult for you to enter engineering as a career path?

If I'm being honest, I have no idea how I managed to get this far! It always came naturally to me. I've always been hands on, always managed to pass my exams, always managed to understand it by the 2nd try, always been able to look at things and take them apart and put them back together again, in my head and physically. I don't? think I could work in an office I think I would go mad, to have gravitated to this career so naturally has been a blessing.

I've noticed woman are really pushing their way into engineering now and so many companies are supporting them. This has certainly increased in the last 5 years and industries have wanted to invest in female talent a lot more so maybe that's helped me along the way, or maybe I'm just pushy. Who knows?

Do you feel that more recently there are positive changes in the attitudes towards women?

Different attitudes obviously depend on the company you work for and the colleagues you work alongside. But to see who I work for now in engineering compared to my last place I feel (I know it sounds dramatic) but, safe.

I've had some pretty bad experiences in my time (luckily, I know how to deal with it) but to be able to go about your day feeling respected and as an equal is taken for granted.

RS Hydro & Proteus has made me feel like I'm a strong member of the team and the faith that's been put in me has made me want to work to the best of my abilities. The world is definitely a lot more accepting of women in engineering compared to 30 years ago. The older generation still seem shocked when they see me walk in to complete a 'man's job' but it's a good opportunity to educate.