Meet a Woman Engineer - Kate Bullen

Name: Kate Bullen
Job Title: Asset Commissioning Manager at Wessex Water

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

I was given my first Mecano set by my parents when I was 4, along with a Lego train set – both of which I still have. I have been taking things apart my whole life to find out how they work (much to my parents dismay in my earlier years), and I’ve always been fascinated by the how’s and why’s of life.


What does an average day look like for you?

After spending 20 years as an Engineer I now manage a team of 20 Engineers, Technicians and Graduates. A lot of my life now is spent on my laptop and in meetings, but everyday I am involved in technical discussions with either a member of my team, or someone in the wider business


How did you get into this career? 

What qualifications did you get? I have A levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and went on to Leeds University to study Environmental Chemistry. I became interested in water, and so chose to go to Birmingham University to complete a Masters in Water Resources. During that time I became fascinated by sewage treatment, and all the physical, chemical and biological processes involved. From there I was very lucky to be offered a position as a process engineer with Bechtel Water, who were working for United Utilities (or North West Water as they were at the time).


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

I faced a huge amount of discrimination as a female working on construction sites on sewage works, but never over my choice of careers.


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

I believe the most important point is to not consider your gender when deciding what career you would like to go into. If Engineering fascinates you, and it’s a career you would like to pursue, then just go for it. Everyone brings their own perspective to the job they do, and it’s only by having a broad range of people in a team that the team can be complete.


Do you have any standout memories/funny/interesting stories from your career as an engineer?

As a young graduate I managed to get a whole construction site to stop working as I walked across it – women were rarely seen on sites in the mid ‘90’s. I also remember the time that someone can into the site cabins and asked for the site manager as he needed an induction. I said that I could do it and he looked very unsure, so I passed him onto the site manager, who promptly bought him back into my office so I could do the induction. He did apologise!