“Use your voice.”

Sophie Marshall is an inspection and testing engineer and the founder of HERSTEEL. These are highlights from her conversation with Laura Davies, edited lightly for length. Listen to the full episode Link TBC

Getting in

How did it all start?

“It was completely random. When I was younger, I didn’t want to be an engineer. I got my GCSEs through and it was a bit of a reality shock. My dad was like, why don’t you go into engineering? I’d never really considered that, but I’ll give it a try. And here I am now.”

What was the reality of walking in as a woman?

“I remember the first day walking into that classroom. I had full glam on, I dressed as me, and everyone just went silent. It’s very daunting walking into a room full of men. But it’s kind of nice being the only woman, because you’re going to get your voice heard.”

The barriers nobody talks about

What don’t people talk about enough?

“Accommodating for women’s health in general. Things such as not even having sanitary bins in the toilets. Just a lack of consideration for the women who are entering. I’ve seen that improve massively. And obviously the workwear not being correct. It’s a health and safety issue at the end of the day. If it’s baggy, it’s not going to fit right, it can get entrapped in machinery.”

What’s the most frustrating assumption you’ve faced?

“Probably that because of the way I look, the femininity, I won’t be very good on the tools. Whereas when they actually see me do the job, I can still embrace my femininity.”

What might men in engineering never have realised women need to think about?

“The body developing. Perimenopause, menopause, being pregnant, going through cycles. It’s not something to just brush off. It needs to be considered and taken seriously, making sure you’re able to go outside if you’re having a hot flush, or you have someone to speak to if you need that support.”

“It’s all very well getting women into engineering, but it’s retaining them.”On why the industry loses women

Using your voice

What has the journey taught you?

“To ask stupid questions. To use your voice. That’s the only way you’re going to learn. I remember being up on a scissor lift, inspecting, and a crane coming along. It was a room full of men and I thought, I’m going to have to say something. I shouted stop, and he stopped it, and everyone turned around and looked at me. As it turned out, it was never going to hit me. But it shows how important it is to use your voice if you think you’re in an unsafe environment.”

What would you tell your younger self?

“Be confident, be authentic, and don’t change for anyone. Don’t craft yourself into your manager’s version of the ideal candidate, because you’re going to hold yourself back.”

What would you want women starting out today never to experience?

“Being deprived of opportunities because of your gender. And the harassment and the negative comments, because if you don’t translate that negativity into motivation, people are going to walk away.”

Getting more girls in

How well do schools encourage girls into engineering?

“It could definitely be improved. When I was at school it wasn’t even an option, really. It needs to be advertised, at careers and networking events for students. Engineering can be anything. It’s not just being on the tools. There are so many different pathways you wouldn’t even think of.”

And older women coming into the industry?

“Having older women there was really empowering. You respect them really highly, because you know how much they’ve overcome to get into the position they’re in today.”

HERSTEEL

What’s been the hardest part of building the brand?

“Not knowing the legislation, and the things behind the scenes where it’s like, oh, we’ve never thought of that. We’re trying to build a business on solid foundations. We haven’t rushed into anything.”

And the proudest moment?

“When we got our first sample. Looking back now, it was absolutely horrendous. The measurements just weren’t right. But it was a good starting point. You see what you’ve invested, all your time, your energy, and you think, oh gosh, it’s happening now.”