University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Rebecca Macdonald has always had an interest in STEM subjects all through her school days, so a career in engineering was never in doubt.

“I was drawn to engineering after years in the Sea Cadets, where I was able to attend expand on my interest by attending engineering courses at HMS Gannet in Prestwick,” commented Rebecca.

Choosing the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering course at UWS, Rebecca began to hone her engineering interests and following graduation in 2014, she joined Scotland TranServ working on the Southwest Trunk Road Contract that year as a Graduate Engineer.

“My experience has focussed on bridge maintenance, including investigations into hidden defects to bridge refurbishments on the trunk road network in the south west of Scotland.

“I am currently the designer of the M8 J21-23 Footbridge Refurbishments, which will be undertaken over two phases and include removal of the suspended spans for refurbishment off site later this year.”

“I absolutely love my job and career in Civil Engineering, which started at UWS and I am forever grateful for having that opportunity to study there.”

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) will celebrate its 11th year in 2024 and once again be promoting the amazing work that women engineers across the globe are doing.

This year’s theme is #Enhancedbyengineering.

INWED gives women engineers around the world a profile when they are still hugely under-represented, with 2021 figures indicating that in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women.