Madeline Homewood

“Having the confidence to take on a new challenge is often the first step to achieving something great.”

What attracted you to a career in engineering?

I’ve always considered myself to be a bit of a nerd – growing up I really enjoyed playing with building blocks and puzzles and as I progressed through school I found I had an aptitude for mathematics and science. As I grew older, I also discovered a love for hiking and nature and I realised my passion for the environment and sustainable living. These combined loves of technical challenges and our natural environment meant that I knew a career in engineering was the right choice for me.

In your career to date, what achievements are you most proud of?

My career as an engineer has given me the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting construction projects in Melbourne. As a building services engineer, I have a chance to shape the way spaces are used and enjoyed by people and I am really proud of the projects I have worked on.

Beyond this, I am most proud of some of the work that I have achieved outside of the office, which NDY has actively supported me in pursuing. I recently embarked on a trip to India to work with a group of professionals from throughout the world. We worked in disadvantaged communities in urban India to understand the challenges that people face and come up with practical solutions. This trip was incredibly challenging, eye-opening and humbling, and I am really proud of the work we achieved.

Every profession has its successes and challenges; what particular scenario has helped shape you into the engineer/professional you are today?

Early on in my time as a graduate at NDY, I was made lead mechanical engineer on one of the office’s biggest tenancy jobs. After a period of shadowing senior engineers, I suddenly found myself driving the design of a high profile project, attending meetings and site visits on my own, and helping to manage our project team. Being thrown into a project with this level of responsibility so early on in my career was daunting, but it allowed me to develop my consulting skills, and foster my own professional brand. I relished the challenge of flying solo for the first time, and my success in this situation made me more confident in my own abilities as an engineer.

How have you seen the gender balance change during your career?

Many of my male friends from university speak of how they knew from a very young age that they wanted to be an engineer, whereas I hadn’t ever heard of engineering until very late in my secondary schooling. It bothered me that as a student who had always loved mathematics and science the option of engineering was made aware to me so late in my schooling. Why was the seed of engineering not planted in my own mind the way it was for my male friends?

Since my time as a secondary school student, the industry has shifted significantly. There is now a huge focus on encouraging young women to pursue STEM subjects and the opportunities associated with a career in STEM are made clearer to women at a much earlier age. As an engineer at NDY, I am involved in our Engineering Students at Work program which allows me to conduct presentations and oversee projects for Year 10 students interested in engineering. I am really passionate about ensuring that young women are aware of all career options that are open to them and inspiring them to pursue a career they are passionate about – whether that passion is engineering or anything else!

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?

Be bold. Be confident. We don’t realise our potential unless we are brave enough to get outside our comfort zone and test ourselves. Having the confidence to take on a new challenge is often the first step to achieving something great.