It was a chance meeting at a careers fair that set Zeinab Mohamed on her journey to becoming an engineer. As a black African Muslim woman, she says it was a career path that was completely foreign to most in her community. “I went on to have some life-changing encounters with inspiring, amazing female engineers working within the industry,” she says.
Mohamed, who studied physics and maths at A-level, acknowledges that she was a natural go-getter who spent time visiting careers fairs to find out what career would suit her. “I happened to meet this wonderful lady who in one 15-minute conversation completely shattered all my preconceived notions about what the construction industry would be like.
“She said that she didn’t class herself as a female engineer, she saw herself simply as an engineer who just happened to be female. It really inspired me to think: ‘That could be me, there’s nothing stopping me from becoming a good engineer.’”
Fast-forward a few years and Mohamed, 22, from Leicester, is working as an intermediate building services engineer at the property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard, which she joined in 2017. She says she has felt nothing but welcomed by colleagues and clients. “I think that maybe for younger, aspiring BAME engineers, the narrative is that we are a minority. Yes we are, but I think that’s an opportunity to let yourself shine and stand out for your talents and your skills.”
But the journey hasn’t been without its obstacles. “One of the things I encountered was that being a woman going into engineering was completely foreign to members of my community. What encouraged me was that my family, despite reservations from people in the community, were fully behind me and I always had their backing.”
Mohamed says that providing young BAME women with role models is crucial to attracting more into the industry. “Before I met the inspiring female engineer I didn’t have much exposure to successful women in industry. Young women need to think: ‘Yes I can achieve this, there’s nothing stopping me. If so-and-so can do it, I can too.’
“It’s that ‘I can too’ mentality that we need to push. Having more female businesswomen, engineers – we need that exposure so we can overcome any stereotypes or preconceived notions.”
Mohamed also feels that women from minority backgrounds have a part to play too. “Most women probably feel that their biggest critic is themselves – they might think they don’t fit the role.
“Sometimes it’s about seeing yourself as any other engineer – you’re there to provide guidance. If you’re criticised, don’t feel singled out but take things in your stride. Through experience I realised I didn’t need to prove myself for being a woman because I’m an engineer first and foremost, and my background is secondary.”
She is also keen to remind people that hard work is an important part of becoming an engineer – no matter what background you’re from. “Not everything may be put on a plate for you. You might have to work hard to get to where you want, but you shouldn’t let that be an obstacle.”
