Q&A: Isabelle Pickett, chemical engineering student

Why did you become interested in science and engineering?

I had a physics teacher in secondary school who mentioned chemical engineering to me at a parents’ evening. Her encouragement, along with how engaging her lessons were, really inspired me to pursue sciences and maths to A level, and then ultimately a degree in chemical engineering.

How did you get to where you are now?

At sixth form I studied subjects that I thought could give me the widest access to degrees that I’d be interested in. After I finished my exams, I did a Year in Industry placement with Schneider Electric to confirm that chemical engineering would be a good degree choice for me – after all, it was a five-year commitment! I then accepted an offer to study chemical engineering at the University of Bath and during my degree did a year-long placement at AstraZeneca. Outside of university, I got involved in outreach opportunities, specifically those encouraging girls to study STEM subjects and pursue careers in reaching net zero. Most recently I have attended the One Young World conference and COP27 in Egypt, as a delegate of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Winning Engineering Student of the Year at the 2022 Engineering Talent Awards. I was proud to be recognised for the work I’ve put in to encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers. It has really given me the confidence to keep working towards a more inclusive and diverse engineering community.

What is your favourite thing about being an engineer?

Working to change things for the better. I recently went to COP27 and got to see firsthand the incredible technologies engineers are working on to help us get to net zero. The best thing about being a woman in engineering is the opportunity to break down gender barriers and pave the way for future generations. As a woman in a male-dominated field you have the chance to prove that women are just as capable as men and bring a unique perspective to the table. I have really enjoyed being able to connect with other women who are considering entering the field and trying to make a positive impact on diversity and inclusion.

What does a typical day involve for you?

No day is the same! I am currently completing my master’s design project, for which I am working in a team to design a carbon capture plant. A typical day now involves researching carbon capture technology and assessing its economic feasibility, then meeting up with my team to further develop the design of the plant. I also run a tutoring company so after my university work is done, I often have meetings with tutors and parents to check up on progress and brainstorm ideas for ways we can improve.

What would be your advice to young people looking to pursue a career in engineering?

Go for it and believe in yourself. Young women engineers are often dissuaded from a career in engineering, but it is so rewarding and really gives you an opportunity to inspire the next generation to feel confident pursuing the career. It’s so important to seek out role models and mentors. Having a good mentor has been really important to my development as an engineer – it is great to have support from someone you aspire to be like, and those connections will really help you with career decisions.

What's next for you?

I’m hoping to complete my master’s this summer and then to use my degree to make a positive impact. I’d love to engage in more outreach activities and empower women students to pursue their passion in STEM. I believe that it is crucial to create a more diverse and inclusive environment in the field of engineering, and I want to be a part of the movement to make that happen. I would love to ultimately use my career to contribute towards achieving a net zero future and solving the issue of climate change. I believe that engineers will play a pivotal role in developing sustainable solutions that will lead us to a cleaner and greener future.

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This article originally appeared in Ingenia 94 (March 2023).