Bridging the dream gap for women in STEM: Georgina Rhodes’ inspiring path in engineering

Guest blog post by Georgina Rhodes, Project Proposal Engineer at Ishida Europe Ltd

I have always been fascinated by how things work. One of my favourite TV programmes growing up was 'How It's Made', and I would watch episodes back-to-back, absorbed by the intrigue of the manufacturing machinery and expertise that went into creating everyday products.

My first real introduction to the engineering profession was around age 13, through my dad who worked as a Design Engineer within the automotive industry. I was lucky enough to go to work with him on odd days and was accepted into their work experience programme when I was 14. This work took me through all the stages of designing a car, from concept to product delivery. 

From academics to hands-on experience in STEM

I was very academic at school, and really enjoyed subjects like English and Maths. But Physics and Engineering were the topics that took up most of my time, learning, and reading as much as I could. While this path led me down the engineering route, my work experience helped narrow my search for more of a design role. 

So that's where my focus was as I hunted for an apprenticeship: with the idea that university wasn't the ideal path for me after school, but with the knowledge that there were other options out there for me to achieve the same result – gaining invaluable industry experience while I studied. 

Embracing new STEM career paths

Although I signed up for a design role, I got so much more out of it than I ever thought possible. I wish I had known that jobs in engineering can be quite fluid. When I started as a Technical Product Design Apprentice, I assumed I’d spend all my time at a desk each day. I was very lucky to be able to move between departments on secondment, so I could learn and understand the wider business. I didn’t realise so many of the teams and so much of the work were intertwined. So, for example, although I didn’t directly work with the procurement department, one of my most important responsibilities was to get detailed drawings over to them to source to suppliers. Without this, we would never have been able to make our machines. It’s been so rewarding to get the bigger-picture experience.

I recently changed roles from a Design Engineer to a Project Proposal Engineer. My current role is more of a sales-related role, interacting with customers and suppliers. However, compared to my previous role as a Design Engineer, I design whole solutions for our customers rather than individual components. 

In my role, everything is so dynamic, and no two days are ever the same. Manufacturers face different challenges every day, and part of my job is keeping up with these changes so we can continue to deliver a premier service to our customers. I love the way it pushes me to believe in myself and learn new things. I try my very best to be a sponge, to absorb all the information I am presented with on a day-to-day basis.

A drive to inspire future generations in STEM

Working in engineering has been an immensely rewarding experience. The opportunities that have been presented to me since beginning my career in 2016 have encouraged me to expand my knowledge and push me out of my comfort zone, so I can reach my potential and add value to my personal development – as well as to the business I work for. 

Something that motivates me in my career progression is the number of females working in STEM sectors. At school, I was the only girl in a class of 19 boys studying Engineering at GCSE level, and the only girl to choose A Level Physics. As I moved into my career, it was evident that I would still be among the minority. So, it’s been a passion of mine since starting my apprenticeship to spread the word and be a role model for young people, to encourage more women to think about a career in engineering and manufacturing.

I am passionate about awareness for the engineering and manufacturing sector as I have found my own experience to be challenging but immensely rewarding, and it gives me a level of satisfaction that I think only a career in engineering can give you.