Exciting opportunities lie ahead for women who are interested in engineering.
These days, it’s becoming more common to see women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professions. But women weren’t always so prevalent in these fields.
That was a major loss. How many incredible thinkers have we missed out on over the years, just because women weren’t encouraged to pursue STEM education and careers?
Fortunately for engineers everywhere — but especially us lucky few at Heneghan and Associates, P.C. (HA) — Lindsey Bowlin always knew she wanted to be an engineer. After high school, she started her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the top college for undergraduate engineering in the U.S. (according to U.S. News and World Report). At that time there were seven male students for every female, and later while working to complete her degree at the University of Evansville, Lindsey was the only woman in her graduating class.
At HA, Lindsey is our Vice President of Water and Wastewater and splits her time between serving as a project manager and overseeing the financial health of the department, which has thrived under her leadership. “My day to day is anything from big-picture strategy for the business to what kinds of potential resources or markets we need to be looking at for water and wastewater projects,” she says.
These days, Lindsey is rarely the only woman in the room. But when she is, she notes that it’s a great opportunity to effectively convey your message. “You will be the one they remember, so use that to your advantage.”
Since joining the workforce, she has seen positive changes in how people view women in STEM. Lindsey believes this will only continue and for that to happen, we need more girls to pursue these careers. By spotlighting role models like Lindsey and encouraging girls’ passion for STEM, we can help more women find their places in fields like engineering.
Lindsey encourages all hopeful engineers to find a mentor. Her mentors helped her to pave her way in the field, and she gives back by serving on the Civil Engineering Advisory Council at the University of Evansville. She also tells students and young engineers not to be afraid of asking questions. By finding mentors and advocating for themselves in these ways, women receive support, whether or not they’re outnumbered by men in the classroom or workplace.
Because more women are discovering their power and pursuing engineering, the gender gap is shrinking. We’re thrilled to see more women engineers with every new generation.
“I think there will be a time where [introducing girls to STEM] won’t even be a discussion,” Lindsey says. We think so, too.
Resources
Engineering is a rewarding career, but it requires a lot of work and can be daunting at times. Fortunately, there are support networks out there for young people who are interested in engineering. The Society of Women Engineers offers mentorship and scholarships to students and young professionals. The Women in Engineering ProActive Network shares resources for engineers and engineering educators. The Women in STEM organization works directly with high schoolers to encourage their interest in STEM careers.
And you can always contact our offices for more information about what we do (and our scholarships!). Feel free to stop in during our office hours, or you can visit our website or call us at 618-498-6418.