What is your job and what does your job involve?

I am the Head of Department for Engineering Design and Mathematics at UWE, Bristol. I have worked at UWE for eight years but I am a Chartered Engineer by background with over fifteen years’ experience in engineering, working in a variety roles, including five years as a Senior Consultant in the Aerospace sector. I also sit on the board of the Engineering Professors Council where I have the opportunity to shape the future of engineering education and I am a trustee of the Aerospace Bristol Museum.

My role at UWE is to lead a vibrant academic team to deliver an outstanding, practice-based learning experience for our students. As Head of Department I have the opportunity to set the direction in which we travel, and to help support the staff to get us there.

My average working day starts early with a run with my dog and then a dash to get my three children to two different schools, before I drive for half an hour and arrive at the university. In a typical day I would meet with my team, walk around the laboratories to see how things with the staff and students are and meet-up with major regional employers in Bristol to continue to build close working relationships.

The best part of the job is the variety, one thing I can definitely say is ‘no two days are ever the same’ and what we do really matters, we can change lives. The worst part of my job? There isn’t really one, I am very lucky to be in a job I love!

How did you end up doing what you are doing?

I started my career as an engineer. have always been fascinated by how things are made, one of my earliest memories is trying to work out how stripy toothpaste was put into a tube! Also, my Dad was a maintenance engineer and so grew up in and around factories, it seemed like a perfectly normal career to me, it was only as I grew older that I realised that women in engineering were (are still are) in the minority.

I got married and my family came along, some things changed for me. My current job (as a consultant) had a lot of travel and I knew I wanted to be at home for my children - so I decided to change careers and move into teaching. I started a PhD when I was in my 30’s, which was daunting, not least because I was the oldest person in the room most of the time! And now I am able to put all of my years of experience as an engineer to good use.

I was the first person to go to university in my family, my parents made me believe anything was possible. I want that for our students, I want every student to reach their full potential and to see that an exciting engineering career is within their grasp. I am working hard with my team to raise the aspirations and attainment of people from backgrounds that are under-represented at university.

Personality traits, and how they fit into the work environment

After taking the icloud personality test I found out that I am an eagle, which is freakily accurate.

I have very high energy levels, and I pour this energy into everything I do, this can sometimes drive people mad. I feel energised when I am with people and I see every day as a challenge; I am always looking for ways of doing things better.

I am very direct in my approach and I like people to be direct with me too. give my team autonomy to make decisions and explore new ideas. do not ask my team to do anything that I would not be prepared to do myself. know we are an amazing department and as a result I expect great things of my team.

I am highly organised, which you have to be with children and a full time job, and a bit of a perfectionist if I am honest. am also a bit of a clean freak at home, which drives the family mad. do find it hard to relax as my mind is always busy, so I read for at least an hour every night as a way of slowing myself down. also try to exercise several times a week.

I think my personality traits are very suited to the career I am now in, and probably explains why I love my job so much.