The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day focuses on the importance of forging a gender-equal world, and the latest statistics from Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) indicate that the number of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) roles has now reached over one million. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go until women are equally represented in these positions across the globe.
In this blog, Giovanna Cossali, operations manager for SOCOTEC’s Water Treatment & Equipment team, considers the importance of encouraging women to continue to pursue STEM roles, and how SOCOTEC enabled her to achieve her goals through career development and additional training opportunities.
How did your career in STEM/with SOCOTEC first develop?
My first involvement with SOCOTEC was when the organisation was formerly known as Waterwise. I was previously employed by Brunel University as a research associate, where I was responsible for undertaking a PhD project, helping Waterwise to develop a new electrolytic product for water disinfection. Once I had completed my PhD, the company decided to continue to develop the product in-house, and I was employed via KTP – a UK-wide programme designed to improve the sharing of knowledge, skills and technology between universities and businesses, which was supported by the UK government for two years.
Once I returned from maternity leave after the conclusion of the project, I was offered the position of service delivery manager for SOCOTEC’s Water Treatment & Equipment team, where I was in charge of the service engineering team and supported the business across a number of key aspects, including the implementation of development plans to improve the efficiency of strategic areas of the business. In 2019, I was offered the position of operations manager – a role which I still hold to this current day.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities as operations manager?
As operations manager within SOCOTEC’s Water Treatment & Equipment team, many of my day-to-day responsibilities involve a considerable amount of communication. I liaise with various areas of the business, including the workshop who build the units, the technical team who design the units and stores and purchasing departments who source all of the parts we need. I also organise all of the jobs booked by our schedulers/undertaken by engineers, as well as supporting the team from a finance perspective.
What do you enjoy the most about your role and working for SOCOTEC?
One aspect of my role that I particularly enjoy is the sheer variety of projects that the Water Treatment & Equipment team are involved with. We help clients overcome any number of challenges and support them with their water treatment and equipment requirements, from helping offices to keep their Legionella counts in check to supporting hospitals with their water equipment, providing them with a safe environment for their patients. I have been involved in a number of notable projects during my time with the business, having worked across data centres located throughout the UK and Europe, as well as a number of commercial office buildings in central London, including 100 Bishopsgate.
Are there any particular qualifications or training opportunities that stood you in good stead for your current role?
During my role as a service delivery manager, I was fortunate enough to gain Chartered Status with the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMeche). This internationally recognised qualification required me to meet a range of criteria in order to qualify, including relevant Master’s degree level study and sufficient demonstration of my ability to develop appropriate solutions to a host of engineering problems.
What would your advice be for any women wanting to pursue a career in STEM?
There should definitely be more women working in the STEM industry, as we have a lot to offer. While it was not always the most obvious career path for a woman in the past, I strongly believe that you can be great at anything you set your mind to, and if a STEM career is what you would like to pursue, then you are bound to excel. SOCOTEC is extremely supportive in helping its employees to achieve their goals and develop and progress within their careers, encouraging training and promotion opportunities, as well as highlighting the importance of recognising a job well done.
How does SOCOTEC support female employees in STEM roles?
As an equal opportunities employer, SOCOTEC is committed to encouraging women in STEM by basing the employability of its members of staff on their abilities, determination and attributes alone. Thanks to its commitment to internal training, development, promotion and recognition, SOCOTEC’s female employees have accomplished plenty during their time with the business, from working across a broad range of high profile projects to delivering educational talks to schools and professional bodies. Take a look at just some of their achievements below:
- International Women in Engineering Day
- Day in the Life of a Project Engineer
- Supporting International Women in Engineering
- Investing in the Future of the Water Industry.
Alternatively, if you are considering a career in STEM, why not visit our Careers page to check out the latest vacancies?
Want to get in touch and find out how SOCOTEC can support your organisation?
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