Series 13 – Episode 4 – A young woman's journey as a renewable energy engineering student

Afrose always loved science at school, particularly Chemistry and the industrial applications that are related.

“At the time, a lot of industrial applications were in Oil & Gas. As I got more into things, I realised how harmful that is and how things have to change.”

Afrose realised that the only way she could make some positive change was to get into engineering herself and, seeing as she loved science, it seemed like a good fit.

Studying at university meant she could explore different types of engineering.

“We did have a lot of modules that weren’t as much to do with engineering. For example, project management and accounting. So, there was a lot more to it. It allowed me to dip my toes into other things and see if there might be something more I’d prefer to do.”

Afrose actually conducted a 10-week internship in infrastructure with Bechtel Corporation. She worked on the Elizabeth Line with Crossrail in London doing commissioning engineering.

“It was through Bechtel that I got the opportunity to do commissioning, engineering, testing – things like fire safety, making sure the communications lines are all fine and good to go, and some of the electrical works. So, it was really interesting.”

Afrose is also passionate about female representation and accessibility within STEM.

“When I first started out, it was difficult. I was trying to look for someone to help with my personal statement in terms of giving me advice and maybe giving it a read through. And everyone I knew that could give me advice were older men. There weren’t that many engineers or women studying or working in engineering. And then I thought, ‘Oh, maybe it’s not really for me if a lot of women aren’t really doing it’.”

But Afrose continued to reach for her goal of becoming an engineer. She is also in the running for Miss England. The current Miss England is a woman in STEM herself and became inspired to be a STEM ambassador.

Afrose goes on to speak about her experience as a woman in STEM, the role models she aspires to and the advice she would give young girls considering a career in STEM.

To hear more about life as a STEM student, and much more, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview with Afrose Ameen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.