Case Study

Diane

Course - Diane attends Bradford College one afternoon and evening per week. She finished the second year of the BTEC National Certificate in Metallurgy and Materials Science in Summer 1998, and is currently following the third year of the course.

Work History
1980- 1989 - Weston Research Laboratories (part of Associated British Foods) at Kings Mill, Knottingley - Scientific Assistant.

1989 - The University of Leeds, Department of Materials, within the School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering- Joined as a Grade 1 Technician (now Grade A).

Current Job - Diane is now a Grade E Technician working in the Materials Department within the School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering at the University of Leeds. She was the first female technician ever to work in the department when she joined the staff, and is still the only woman in this role there. Diane says that she always wanted to work in a lab, and that the fact that it was a male dominated environment did not discourage her. She really enjoys her job, saying, "I don’t have two days the same. There’s always something different".

Diane feels that women in engineering initially have to prove themselves more than men. She has, in the past, encountered some difficulties with men, and, sometimes, women. At first, some people seem not to want to speak to her directly, but to approach a man instead. However, this soon changes when she wins their respect and confidence by displaying her ability and competence.

Influences - The following factors influenced Diane’s choice of career:

1) From the age of 10 , on Saturday mornings , Diane visited Rockware Glass Ltd with her father who worked there in the sales offices. She accompanied him to the laboratories and the factory floor.

She also did typing in the office, but disliked the sedentary nature of this work and preferred visiting the labs and factory floor which she found exciting. It was from these visits that she decided that she wanted to be a laboratory technician.

2) Her contact with the lab. technicians, one of whom was female, who set up experiments at her school (Knottingley High School). The experiments were interesting and varied, and Diane thought a career in technology was for her..

3) Diane really enjoyed the four weeks work experience that she did in the labs at Ferrybridge "C" Power Station whilst in the lower 6th (Year 12).

Diane describes herself as a practical person. As a young girl she enjoyed making the things that she saw demonstrated on the Magpie and Blue Peter television programmes. She was also a keen viewer of Tomorrow's World and How, a scientific children’s programme that incorporated experiments.

Qualifications
At the end of the 5th form (Year 11) Diane obtained five O’levels, (equivalent to GCSE grade C or above) which included Human Biology and Applied Physics. At the end of the lower 6th she gained a Certificate of Extended Education (CEE), an O’ level equivalent qualification, in English, Maths and Chemistry. Diane attended Whitwood Technical College where she did a secretarial course. She did this because she felt it would be a "good string to her bow".

Since starting work at the university, Diane has completed a City and Guilds 747 Professional Technical Photography course by day release, and a B.Eng. Foundation Course in Materials Science by correspondence.

Encouragement
Diane’s father was very encouraging, as was her uncle, a woodwork teacher. She says that her father never put any constraints on her with regard to the type of employment that she could do. Diane also says that her female Biology teacher always encouraged her to do well. She has also received a lot of support from past and pre sent staff at the university. For example, a senior lecturer and a professor in the department have encouraged her attendance at summer schools, workshops and conferences on materials science and microscopy.

Awards - Diane won the Institute of Materials Technician of the Year Award 1998 and BICC’s School of Science and Technology Women Into Technology Award 1998.

Diane’s advice to other women considering entry to a career in which women are under represented is, "if you want to do it, do it. You can be respected as much as a man. Never let an opportunity pass you by and always believe in yourself".

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