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Celebrated annually on June 23, International Women in Engineering Day recognises the achievements of women in the engineering field and encourages others to pursue similar paths. In honour of this day, we spoke to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp (UOW) graduate Casey Flemming.  

Casey has carved out her own path in engineering, building a thriving career in a field where women are traditionally underrepresented.  

The STEM CAMP that sparked a career  

Casey first discovered engineering through the guidance of women in the industry, who showed her the vast range of possibilities the field holds.  

When asked what first sparked her interest in engineering, Casey expresses a UOW STEM Camp for Girls in Year 10 as a defining moment. 

“I was always drawn to math and science at school,” she says.  

“I loved problem-solving and finding creative solutions. But it wasn’t until I attended the UOW STEM Camp for Girls in Year 10 that I truly discovered what engineering could be,” she adds. 

Currently working at BMD Constructions as a Civil Engineering Graduate, this position involves building skills and knowledge needed to find creative solutions to engineering challenges. Additionally, she is working on upgrades to the HMAS Albatross Naval Base in Nowra. 

“I apply technical knowledge to ensure the project is built safely, efficiently and in accordance with the design and Australian standards,” she shares. 

Though still early in her career, Casey has already seen encouraging progress in the areas of diversity and inclusion within engineering as a male-dominated sector. At her current workplace women make up 21 per cent of the team, a reassuring step towards breaking stereotypes. 

“I have been fortunate enough to have met some incredibly inspirational and knowledgeable men and women who have encouraged me throughout my journey, ensuring that I feel confident, comfortable, and heard,” Casey says. 

Engineering the future  

Her advice to young women considering a career in engineering is to just go for it. 

“Have confidence in yourself and know that your perspective and ideas are incredibly valuable in this space. Say yes to every opportunity and push yourself outside of your comfort zone because that is where you will grow the most,” she says. 

Casey chose UOW as her local university, having attended several activity days during high school that gave her first-hand experience of university life. She was impressed by UOW’s strong reputation, beautiful natural environment, diverse engineering opportunities, and welcoming campus culture.  

This sense of connection extended into her studies, where close friendships and teamwork created a supportive environment that motivated everyone to achieve their best. 

“I was involved in the Civil Engineering and Women in STEM Societies, volunteered through Pulse and In2Uni and served as an EIS student mentor,” she recalls. 

She puts emphasis on the inclusive environment at UOW which made her feel confident both socially and academically as a woman in engineering. Appreciating UOW’s strong technical foundation in civil engineering, which built connections between theory and practice to grow and embrace diverse opportunities. 

“Engineering is an incredibly diverse and evolving industry,” she says. 

“Stay true to your values and pursue what you enjoy, you have the potential to make a significant impact in this field.”