This International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) we recognise the remarkable achievements of women engineers around the world and shine a spotlight on the opportunities engineering offers to future generations.

Enhancing diversity in engineering improves the discipline. Encouraging greater participation from women is essential to address the challenges of tomorrow and build a workforce equipped to meet them.

Join us as we celebrate, inspire, and drive progress towards a more inclusive future for engineering around the world.

Engineers Ireland members told us why they are proud to be women in engineering:

  • Úna Parsons, Mechanical Engineer and Vice-President, Engineers Ireland

Being an engineer is about curiosity, creativity, and solving problems that matter. I love taking ideas from concept to reality and learning something new with every project and every role.

Engineering has taken me around the world and introduced me to an inspiring network of people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. The friendships, professional connections, and shared experiences have been just as rewarding as the work itself.

This International Women’s Day, I celebrate the women shaping our profession and encourage the next generation to pursue careers in engineering with confidence, ambition, and curiosity.

  • Niamh Shaw, Biosystems Engineer

Engineering isn’t about knowing everything – it’s about learning how to solve problems and working with others to make ideas happen. Stay curious and don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers. You can end up in so many careers with a degree in engineering, that’s what happened to me, so my skills in engineering have served me in many, many ways.

Engineering is about people. It’s not just maths and machines; it’s about improving lives, protecting our planet and creating solutions that help communities thrive.

I love that engineering has opened doors to extraordinary experiences, from reporting on space missions to exploring Antarctica and the Arctic. It has taught me to think creatively and to see possibilities where others see challenges.

I belong in engineering because…I am endlessly curious. Engineers ask questions, embrace challenges and imagine better futures. That’s where I feel most at home.

(Pictured l - r: Úna Parson and Niamh Shaw)

  • Bridget Mullane, Structural Engineer

One thing I wish more people knew about engineering is that it’s not all hard hats, maths and complicated drawings, although there is a fair bit of that too!

At its heart, engineering is about solving problems, improving places and making everyday life work better.

My advice to anyone considering engineering is to go for it, even if you don’t fit the stereotype of what you think an engineer should be. There are so many different paths within engineering, and once you find the area that suits you, it can be a really rewarding career.

My favourite part about being an engineer is how versatile it is. I’ve used my engineering skills everywhere: in my public speaking engagements, in writing software at Dell Technologies, and in mentoring children in robotics. Engineering is a field that lets me bring all parts of myself to the table.

(Pictured l - r: Bridget Mullane and Afua Adu)

  • Sarah Leahy, BIM Engineer

I was inspired to become an engineer to help create things and build a better future. I was also drawn to the career knowing it was a male dominated field, rising to the challenge to ‘see what I can do’ as an underdog. 

If you’re curious and want to learn how things work, it’s a great career to pursue. It’s so broad and offers so many different opportunities and paths. 

You don’t need to be a mathematician. I’m sure it helps but don’t be deterred if maths isn’t your strong point. 

I belong in engineering because I aspire to grow and learn, and hopefully make a difference that will make my younger self proud. 

I was inspired to become an engineer when a former student from my secondary school returned to speak about her career in engineering. Having attended an all-girls school where engineering and construction studies were not offered as subject choices, I had very little understanding of what engineers did. As she spoke about the challenges, creativity, and opportunities within engineering, something resonated with me and I knew it was a career I wanted to pursue!

My favourite thing about being an engineer is that I am constantly learning. Engineering offers endless opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills. Every day is different and brings new challenges!

I belong in engineering because I enjoy understanding how things work and finding solutions to problems. The opportunity to apply creativity, maths, teamwork to find real-world solutions is what drew me to engineering and continues to motivate me every day.

(Pictured l - r: Sarah Leahy and Méabh Childs)