You don’t look like an Engineer

In this Episode of You don't Look Like and Engineer, we delve into what it really means to build a career as a woman in the energy and engineering sectors. Carolina Mayol, a senior grid connections engineer, and Jasmine Wiklander, a senior energy and infrastructure recruitment consultant, share how childhood passions, cultural identity and career twists led them into renewables and people-focused...

What does it take to lead with vision in industries where innovation and resilience are non-negotiable? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gretchen Gagel. Internationally recognised executive, author, and thought leader in leadership and infrastructure, to explore how she helps organisations navigate change, empower teams, and build sustainable futures. Gretchen shares candid insights from her...

Join us on episode 45 as we chat with Steve, a water business leader at Arup, who shares his journey in engineering. Despite his impressive career, Steve shares that he has also had moments of feeling like he didn't belong in the industry and how he eventually found his place.   From his rural roots to advocating for diversity among First Nations people, improving sanitation for women, and many ot...

In this episode, we sit down with Sascha Kurz, Queensland's Engineer of the Year 2024. Her journey shares the road from an engineer to successful consultancy owner. Sascha she built her company IPS Consulting on the values of balancing technical expertise with strong leadership and soft skills, a shift she recommends the whole industry should think about. She shares how true innovation and success...

Laura and Sohan sit down with Annalie Howling, a renowned coach and trauma specialist who has helped celebrities and high performing athletes overcome barriers like shame.   Annalie opens up about her journey through trauma, navigating a high pressure corporate world, and ultimately making the bold decision to leave such a toxic environment. She shares how she returned to herself - healing her min...

We’re excited to return with an enlightening episode featuring David, an executive engineer with over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, primarily in the natural resource sector. David has seen it all, from the shop floor to the C-suite, and he’s dedicated to transforming technically skilled individuals into effective leaders. It is well discussed that employees need to be exceptional to...

In this episode, Lau and Sohan chat with Darren Flynn, an engineer on a mission to be more entrepreneurial. Darren's journey began in the trenches, working with pipes, pumps, and concrete, and has spanned over $2B of water infrastructure projects in Australia and Vietnam. Darren employs value engineering, innovative ideas, design thinking, and his vast experience to deliver optimal outcomes for cl...

Laura and Sohan embark on a mindfulness journey led by former engineer-turned mindfulness coach Roberta Brosco. Roberta talks about her journey within construction, how she embarked on a journey to become a mindful leader to deal with workplace stresses. She then used these tools to create mindfulness coaching for women across the globe to help them elevate their careers, become present leaders an...

Laura and Sohan sit with the Roads Australia PPP award winner of 2023, Fiona McDonald from New South Wales. Fiona is a Senior Manager of Industry Affairs and Partnerships, who shares her experience in leading innovation in the industry, working with senior leadership teams and even championing for diversity and inclusion - a passion that arises from her own personal experiences. Fiona's valuable l...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Yates, a multifaceted individual serving as the co-director of Landy Advisory, the director of the Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club, and the vice president of the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce.  Josh candidly shares the challenges he faced at the outset of his journey in the infrastructure sector. Despite lacking a technical...

Join Laura and Sohan in their interview with Rhianna Di Trapani, the civil construction professional turned director of her very own company - Virtual Civil Consulting! From juggling two degrees and two part-time jobs to managing 20-million dollar projects in the construction industry - Rhianna is an inspiration for young women in STEM wanting to reach the stars. At just 15 years old, Rhianna move...

In this episode, Sohan and Lau sit down with Vanessa, a transportation engineer reshaping the face of Civil Engineering. Vanessa shares her passion for engineering and social media, discussing the importance of inspiring young professionals by highlighting engineers' role in shaping city infrastructure. She opens up about challenges in her career and the mindset that helped her overcome them, ulti...

Join Sohan and Laura as they interview Miranda Swift, a rising star in engineering. Discover how she kickstarted her career in high school, evolving from a part-time worker to a cadet civil engineer. Miranda's passion for enhancing STEM opportunities for rural girls is palpable as she discusses her initiatives to boost their job prospects and education. Learn about her groundbreaking project, 'Hus...

In this episode, Lau and Sohan host Angela Hucker, CEO of EPIC. Angela shares experiences from her career, spanning two decades in male-dominated industries. She talks about learning to rise to the occasion, how you can jump into a new role and learn to fit into it. She talks about the changes the industry has been through, in recognising female talent and fostering better, more inclusive cultures...

In Episode 33, Sohan and Laura are joined by Akshaye Shewale, the visionary owner of Mebumi. Mebumi is at the forefront of the future, revolutionising the outsourcing of engineering from India, the world's largest producer of engineers. In this episode, we delve into the art of mustering the courage to pursue your dreams, maximising the potential of the resources at your disposal, and breaking fre...

Join Laura and Sohan as they unravel the extraordinary engineering journey of Daniel Lambert, an Entrepreneur, Innovator, and Humanitarian engineer specialising in Water, Energy, and Resources. This episode delves into the diverse skills essential to engineering, which challenge the misconception that STEM is solely mathematical. Daniel shares valuable insights on work-life balance and aligning wo...

In the latest episode of the You Don't Look Like an Engineer podcast, Sohan and Laura get into the nitty and gritty with Marzena Bilicka. A civil engineer from Poland, with experience in England and Australia for the past 14 years, Marzena is an experienced engineer, a mother of two and passionate about art. She shares her invaluable experiences on how to know your worth, not take bullshit, voice...

Join Laura and Sohan as they delve into the hidden challenges women encounter in leadership roles – a discussion centered around the glass cliff phenomenon. This phenomenon unfolds when women step into leadership roles amidst precarious situations, significantly impacting their leadership journeys and career progression. Tune in to unravel the complexities of the glass cliff, understand its implic...

To celebrate their 30th Episode, Lau and Sohan sit down with Andrew McGregor - the male ally who has supported the You don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast since its inception.  Andrew is the Managing Director for Design & Build and has been in the recruitment industry for 17 years. In this episode, Andrew shares his insights into some of the most critical challenges the construction and engine...

Almost 82% of jobs these days are sedentary in nature, while humans are built for the opposite. On of the unspoken challenges about desk jobs are maintaining movement in your routine, which balances your mental and physical self to bring your best to work. Laura and Sohan team up with Erika Gomez for another chat, this time, focusing on the importance of habits, bringing in playfulness in your rou...

Teeshal Bal is a rail engineer with a passion for financial freedom that led her to a range of experiences outside of the engineering industry. She currently works with Metro Trains Melbourne and has delivered to date, $5 billion worth of successful infrastructure in Australia to date. She has built two start-ups that have become more than $1 million businesses in their first year alone. Teeshal i...

Join Sohan and Lau as they candidly share their recent workplace experiences. Both are currently in the midst of significant career transitions, and their story is both relatable and inspiring. 🚀 Throughout the episode, Sohan and Lau provide valuable insights into the strategies and mindset shifts that have allowed them to navigate these professional shifts. Highlighting the importance of proacti...

In this episode, Laura and Sohan chat with Margaret Gayen, a former athlete, skilled public speaker, and mechanical engineer. Margaret shares her journey of excelling as a university student while actively participating in athletics, dealing with self-comparison during her career, and smoothly transitioning from sports to becoming a full-time mechanical engineer. Margaret dives into her latest pro...

In Laura and Sohan's latest conversation, they delve into the origins of the 8-8-8 split within the working day. Their conversation takes a look at how the conventional 9-5 work routine has evolved throughout the last century. This podcast explores how societal influences have moulded our work environments, prompting a critical reevaluation of the standard 5-day workweek. This episode examines the...

In this episode, Lau and Sohan had a captivating conversation with Deanna Hood, Australia's 2022 Young Engineer of the Year. A mathematical prodigy who completed high school at 15. She harnessed her talents in robotics and electrical engineering to make groundbreaking contributions, such as developing spray-on skin for burn victims and brain chips for paralysed patients. Yet, she reveals how close...