“Women who are hesitating to try engineering are missing out on fascinating careers,” says electrical engineering instructor Rosamund Russell.
The BCIT Automation & Instrumentation instructor says anyone with an interest in science and math should consider engineering.
“I think some women may feel that they won’t be accepted into the field in the same way that men are,” she says, “but I have honestly never found that to be the case.”
Rosamund hadn’t planned to become an engineer. “I got into it unexpectedly,” she explains. “I had planned on entering health sciences, but once I was at university, became interested in mechanical engineering as it might apply to the biomedical field. I saw a huge growth opportunity in the field of medical devices. This appealed to my interest in mechanization and automation.”
She found a position in an engineering office for a pulp and paper company. She was soon tasked with managing the design of several project upgrades at a mill in Mackenzie, BC. Rosamund was required to oversee the instrumentation design consultants, check drawings, acquire quotes and interact with equipment vendors as well as installation contractors.
“The site work was exciting,” she says. “I learned so much, and I really enjoyed the big picture aspect of project management, sticking with a project from the conceptual drawing stage to pushing the buttons that started up a real plant.”
Rosamund came to BCIT in 1998. “I joined BCIT after learning about their Automation & Instrumentation Program. It seemed to line up perfectly with the work I had been doing and I was keen to bring my experience into the classroom. I was impressed with the practical nature of the program and felt that the faculty were very much in touch with industry. This is not necessarily the case in other educational settings.”
Rosamund likes to teach from her experience, things that don’t come from a book. Her teaching style has gained her respect from students and colleagues. “Rosamund is an intelligent and talented person who cares about her students and what they learn,” says Marko Vicic, the Marketing Coordinator for the School of Energy. “Personally I appreciate and value her passion, and the honest, realistic approach she takes to everything she does.”
For her part, Rosamund is constantly impressed by the people she gets to teach. “The best part of working at BCIT is the students,” she says. “They are tenacious, and also strong team players. They have to be in order to be successful in the programs here. It’s extremely rewarding to see them embark on amazing careers.”
Those careers will likely shape the future of society.
“In a world where technology is shaping everything around us,” she says, “I believe the world’s problems will largely be resolved through technological advances. Creative thinkers with engineering skills are in demand and will drive economic and social prosperity for themselves and our societies.”
Rosamund hopes to see diverse students continue to step into the field. “Most working environments are collaborative,” she points out. “There has been a lot of research into the improved performance of work groups when there is a blend of genders, and, as a result, many companies would like to improve their gender balance.”
Her point – there are no shortage of good job opportunities in engineering. Similarly, there’s plenty of room to excel: “In my experience, anyone who works hard, listens carefully, performs well and behaves with integrity will thrive.”
To learn more about engineering, visit bcit.ca/engineering.