Name: Alena Iqbal Meng (Hons)

Job Title: Project Manager – Digital Transformation

Location: Manchester

Alena Iqbal is a Project Manager at Amey. Alena's journey into engineering began at the age of 16 during a work experience at an engineering consultancy. While her peers spent their 1-week work experience photocopying documents, Alena had the opportunity to size a nitric acid tank, which sparked her passion for problem-solving and understanding chemical properties. The supportive and inspiring project manager she worked with played a key role in her decision to pursue engineering, leading her to study Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds.

Today, Alena thrives in her role, where every day brings new challenges. As a Project Manager she leads digitalisation projects, most recently working on a project to digitalise the planning process of Amey’s construction teams.

As a woman of colour in a traditionally male-dominated field, Alena has faced numerous challenges, yet she has always persevered. A leadership program with Amey helped her overcome imposter syndrome, boosting her confidence and fuelling her advocacy for more women of colour in senior roles within the rail industry. Inspired by the mentorship she received from two female graduates early in her career, Alena is now a passionate mentor herself, dedicated to creating more opportunities for women and paying it forward by coaching and guiding the next generation of engineers.

Today, we explore Alena's journey, as she shares her career path and encourages young girls to pursue their passions in engineering with confidence and without hesitation.

When did you realise that a career in engineering was right for you? Was there a particular moment in your life?

When I was 16, I did a 1-week work experience at an engineering consultancy which inspired me to become an engineer. While my friends spent their 1-week work experience photocopying documents, the PM looking after me had different plans! By the end of the week, I had sized a nitric acid tank. I enjoyed the problem-solving and the learning that came with it, such as calculations and understanding chemical properties. However, it was the team that made this experience truly memorable. I was especially inspired by the PM’s passion for all things engineering, and as a result, I decided to study engineering at university.

What does an average day look like for you?

It varies as I like to get involved in different projects and initiatives. I have weekly catchups with project teams to identify any issues with our digital processes and work towards resolving these. For processes that need fine tuning, I have a detail-oriented approach. The overarching theme is collaborative problem solving as I rely heavily on the expertise of some incredibly talented individuals. I’ve recently worked on a project to digitalise the planning process our construction teams use which has been challenging yet rewarding.

How did you get into this career? What qualifications did you get?

I was looking for a project management graduate scheme and this role seemed like a good fit. Due to the scale of the project and me being on a graduate scheme, I was able to try my hand at several roles which helped me hone in on what I enjoy: Process Optimisation! I graduated from the University of Leeds with a Masters in Chemical and Process engineering (MEng) which has been handy when working on processes in rail!

Did you face any challenges with your career decision as a woman engineer?

I’m a big believer in “If you can see her, you can be her” and I very much did not “see her” when I started, especially in senior roles. Initially, I felt like I didn’t belong in any room I walked into, and I’m sure this reflected in my behaviour as I questioned “Am I supposed to be here?”.

I completed a leadership programme with Amey specifically aimed at individuals from multicultural backgrounds. This programme, along with the mentoring l received, empowered me and helped me overcome my doubts. The rail industry has been championing gender diversity massively which is really promising. However, women of colour are still very much missing, especially in senior management; I’m expecting this to change soon.

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

Pursue your interests to the ends of the earth, whatever they may be. Don’t let society dictate where you do or don’t belong, and don’t self-reject! Operating from a place of abundance will yield far greater results than operating from a place of scarcity - build each other up. This mindset has greatly helped me in my career; where others have seen obstacles, I’ve seen opportunities.

Do you have any standout memories from your career as an engineer?

I do! During my 1-week work experience (mentioned earlier), two female graduates took me under their wing. I returned to that same engineering consultancy for work placements over the next few summers, and being around these women had a profound impact on me. Their genuine mutual respect and the care they showed me have stayed with me. In male-dominated fields, women can feel like they are fighting for one seat at the table; these women taught me the importance of creating more seats at the table. This experience is a driving force for the coaching and mentoring I do with early career professionals in my own industry. I believe it’s my responsibility to pay it forward.

Curious about our #ShesAnEngineer series? Dive into our video series featuring women who are driving change and breaking down barriers in their field. Discover their inspiring stories here: https://www.alexander-assoc.co.uk/women-in-engineering.

Erin is a third-year Electrical Engineering Apprentice at Mazak, where she specialises in the CV5-500 machine line. From a young age, Erin knew that engineering was her true calling. While other kids were into trends and toys, Erin found herself captivated by model kits, electrical circuits, and carpentry classes. She asked for tools, not make-up, and found joy in building and problem-solving. Her passion for hands-on work and engineering talent were evident early on—she won first place in the national ‘Who Wants to Be an Engineer?’ competition while still in Year 11.

Fast forward to today, and Erin is flourishing in her apprenticeship, handling electrical assembly, calibration, and safety checks on complex machines, while also contributing to local charity initiatives, raising nearly £2,000 over the past year. As an apprentice ambassador, she champions STEM, participating in career fairs and hosting factory tours. Recently named a finalist for IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2024, Erin is inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Today, we explore her journey and how choosing the non-traditional university route has allowed her to gain valuable hands-on experience.

When did you realise that a career in engineering was right for you? Was there a particular moment in your life?

I have long known that I wanted to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps into a career in engineering. As a child I loved model and electrical circuit building kits. I asked for tool kits and a soldering iron whilst friends were asking for clothes and make-up, and I went to carpentry classes whilst others played sports. During year 11, I even won first place after entering the national competition ‘Who wants to be an engineer?’. Therefore, the question for me was never about what I wanted to study, but how.

What does an average day look like for you?

As an electrical apprentice at Mazak, I spend my day-to-day work life out on the factory floor. Now that I am in my third year, I am just working in one area, the CV5-500 machine line. My job is to electrically assemble and adjust the machine so that it works correctly and is safe to operate. I am also still working towards my qualification, so I spend a couple of hours each week working on written work, and I hope to finish my apprenticeship by August.

As an active member of our apprentice charity committee, I assist with the organisation and running of all our projects. Over the last year we have runover a dozen successful events, raising almost £2,000 in total in aid of various local charities.

Part of being a Mazak apprentice is being an apprentice ambassador. I believe that STEM outreach events are so beneficial to the community because they help young people know what they want to do as their career. However, they are also beneficial to my own personal growth as I am naturally a very shy person, and they have helped me leave my comfort zone. Through Mazak, I have had the opportunity to attend numerous career fairs, give many presentations, and many in-house events too (mostly factory tours). This year, I helped with at least 1 event every fortnight.

How did you get into this career? What qualifications did you get?

Whilst in Year 10, a local engineering company contacted my school to offer a small number of cadetship placements. I immediately submitted my application and was lucky enough to be selected onto the programme where I received firsthand experience of what it would be like to be one of their employees. I found being totally immersed into the world of work totally mind blowing. Exchanging one uniform for another, the sense of pride I experienced in my new, albeit temporary, role was totally unexpected. My new colleagues treated me with respect and willingly demonstrated their skills. When the time came, I left saddened but hopeful that one day I would be given an opportunity to return.

After completing my exams, as a very able student leaving school, I could have easily opted to follow my peers along the well-travelled route through a university degree. However, as I have always found practical learning opportunities to be more enjoyable, engaging and beneficial, the apprenticeship route seemed much more suited to my preferred learning style and therefore so much more appealing. Additionally, my awareness that many graduates leave university with no guarantee of work in their chosen field and huge student debts, was also influential in my decision-making process. It made financial sense to me to earn a wage whilst training alongside experts, guaranteeing my resulting qualifications and experience would be relevant and marketable when my course finished.

Upon discovering that the company I had attended for my cadetship offered a comprehensive and well renowned electrical engineering apprenticeship programme, my mind was made up. I applied, and following an intensely competitive application process, I was successfully offered the role. I am now in my third year and am thrilled about my progress so far. Choosing an apprenticeship has proven to be the best decision that I could have made.

Did you face any challenges with your career decision as a woman engineer?

Going from a school environment where there are many other young women around to an environment where there were hardly any was initially quite daunting. However, Mazak staff made me feel welcome and the workplace didn’t feel so intimidating any more.

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

My first piece of advice would be to talk to your career’s advisors about work experience opportunities, as they can often help you to find companies that you would be well suited to working for in the future. This both gives you relevant workplace experience, but also makes your applications stand out when applying for jobs/apprenticeships. I would also go to as many open events and career fairs that you can, as this well help you find the job that you want to do in the future. Yamazaki Mazak will be holding a woman in engineering event on the 11th of December, where the goal is to get more young women into engineering and is open to everyone.

I would also highly recommend an apprenticeship instead of going down the university path. This means that you can earn whilst you earn, gain relevant industry experience, meet likeminded people, and get a head start into your career. If this is something that sounds appealing, an apprenticeship would be perfect for you. One thing to remember is to apply earlier rather than later, as lots of companies will close their job adverts once they have enough applicants. Another thing to consider is not only applying directly to a company, use a service that will help you find the right apprenticeship for you. For example, Hereford and Worcestershire Group Training Association will send your CV to as many companies as they can and will help prepare you for life as an apprentice.

Do you have any standout memories from your career as an engineer?

My company, Yamazaki Mazak UK ltd, holds an open house every year for existing and potential customers and they all receive a factory tour during their visit. It is apprentices that give these tours. It was one of my last tours of the week, having given around 7 by this point, I was then given a small group of 3 people, an engineer, his daughter, and an apprentice. This was one of my most enjoyable tours and it ended up taking over 2 hours, instead of the usual 1.5 hours, because they were so keen and asking so many questions about Mazak and my experience as an apprentice.

In April, I was given the opportunity to represent my company at the MACH show in Birmingham and give tours to schools that were visiting. As I was conducting one of these tours, I heard my name being shouted from across the hall and I looked around but didn’t see someone from my company. Instead, I saw the people that I toured around Mazak during the open house. I felt honoured that they remembered me from an event many months ago, but that they also wanted to reconnect. Thank you to Metal Seagulls Ltd for this experience.

Curious about our #ShesAnEngineer series? Dive into our video series featuring women who are driving change and breaking down barriers in this male-dominated field. Discover their inspiring stories here: https://www.alexander-assoc.co.uk/women-in-engineering.