This year, during Engineers Week’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, we are celebrating the outstanding women in engineering who are constantly breaking barriers in the industry and bringing their passion for problem-solving, design, and innovation to the forefront of engineering. Women in engineering are continuously evolving with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting engineering specialties. They are trailblazers who are empowering future generations of engineers and making an everlasting impact on the field. We are proud to share a couple of stories from our very own Jennifer Donelan and Cailin Anderson!

Jennifer Donelan, Mechanical Designer

WHAT SPARKED YOUR CURIOSITY ABOUT THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY?

“I wanted to know the why behind how things worked, and I wanted to help others – engineering provides an opportunity to do both! I was on a high school robotics team, which showed me how engineering principles worked, and that fueled my curiosity to see how those same principles were applied in building applications and pushed me to go to engineering school.”

“Being a woman in engineering means I’m able to better my community through creating spaces where people can interact with one another. Engineers are known for being all about math and science, but how and what we design impacts people’s daily experience in a really unique way.”

“What makes me excited for the future of engineering are all of the people I work with! Being surrounded by coworkers who are always wanting to learn new skills is so exciting and pushes me to keep pursuing learning.”

“A piece of advice I’d give to future generations of women engineers is that everyone has a strength that makes them unique! Be confident in your own abilities and share with those you work with. Recognizing that your experiences influence your approach to problems and can provide a different view on a situation. Engineering is all about teamwork, and being confident to share ideas is key to making successful designs.”

Cailin Anderson, Electrical Designer

WHAT SPARKED YOUR CURIOSITY ABOUT THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY?

“When deciding upon a major, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I was actually more interested in architecture at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, but the closest major offered was Architectural Engineering. After looking into the program more and shadowing a college student, I began to understand what engineering is and what the specific program entailed. It seemed like a good fit due to my knowledge in math and science mixed in with my curiosity to create things.”

“I would want the future generations of women engineers to never let anything get in their way of becoming an engineer. There may be moments in your life that make you doubt yourself and your abilities just because you are a woman, but it is important to persevere. The industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to breaking stereotypes and creating a comfortable work environment for everyone. Finding the right company that prioritizes that will make all of the struggle worth it in the end.”

“The use of technology is not only increasing in a building’s design, but it is also increasing in the way we work. Integration and coordination have improved significantly compared to what it used to be just twenty years ago. It’s fascinating to imagine where the industry will be in another twenty years. “

“Being a woman in engineering means to create solutions and designs to help better people’s lives. It is about taking what is handed to you and using your knowledge and skills to figure out the best way to make it work.”