International Women in Engineering Day: Interview with Jamie Dunn from Veolia
In advance of International Women in Engineering Day on 23rd June, Jamie Dunn, National Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer (UK) at Veolia, tells Facilities Management Magazine why she got into engineering.
How did you get into Engineering?
Growing up, I had a keen interest in “how things worked”. As a kid my Dad would take me to motorcycle and car race meets, which I loved and really inspired me. We would watch Formula 1 together, and when it came to making options for my career I was interested in how I could break into the motor racing industry. The Formula 1 cars have multiple instrumentation technologies on them which I found fascinating, therefore it made sense to look into instrumentation apprenticeships. My Dad worked as a Systems Engineer at Fawley Refinery and so after I finished my GCSEs I applied for an apprenticeship there as an Instrument Technician. The role involved maintaining and working on instruments measuring pressures, levels, temperatures and flows, whilst ensuring a 24/7 process.
Whilst I was there I went to college and university to complete a HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Following my apprenticeship I moved across to Southern Water as an Instrumentation, Controls and Automation Technician, where I spent almost 10 years supporting their waste and fresh water processes, before joining systems integrator Cougar Automation as a Support Engineer. After 6 years with Cougar, I was ready for my next chapter and joined Veolia, which is where I have been for the past 5 years starting as Southern Regional Engineer, and I am now National EC&I Engineer.
What is a typical day like for you?
Veolia manages a network of 10 Energy Recovery Facilities across the UK. The primary use of an ERF is to sanitise refuse waste that otherwise would have gone to landfill. Instead we take these materials and recover them creating energy to power the National Grid and at three of our facilities we also have the added benefit of a district heating network. Day to day I support the running of these sites and ensure the lifecycle of equipment is well maintained, supporting any failures through both planned projects and reactive activities, and making sure the sites are working to the latest standards (cyber security, etc), and innovating processes assisting the business to meet its strategy goals and values.
Why you work at Veolia
I particularly enjoy working at Veolia as their strategies are aimed at preserving the environment, serving growing populations, and assisting customers to meet business demands in a more sustainable way.
I am continually given opportunities to better myself both as a person and within my career.
What do you love about your job
Working at Veolia, I feel part of pioneering real change with innovative and developing solutions. Focus is on delivering ecological transformation through preserving resources and supporting green recovery, and in turn bringing benefits to local communities and the planet. I am continually given opportunities to better myself both as a person and within my career. Over the past 2 years Veolia has sponsored me through a Masters degree (in Engineering Management), which I have recently completed. It wasn’t something I thought I’d ever get the opportunity to achieve, so it has meant a lot to me personally, and will obviously serve me well in my career development.
What would you say to those who are thinking about joining Veolia?
In my 22 years experience within the Controls and Instrumentation industry I have seen a lot of change both in technology and business. It’s been really interesting to see how businesses are adapting and becoming more aware of the need for diversity within their organisations. Veolia certainly goes above and beyond in this area. As a woman I feel empowered working at Veolia, and want to be an inspiration for all genders.
As a little girl, seeing women succeeding in male dominated industries really inspired me and made me want to be part of “breaking the mould”
Why should other women consider a career in engineer?
Hopefully in this day and age men and women know they can be whatever they want to be. More women seem to be taking the engineering career path, although the industry is still very male dominated. Gender diversity obviously brings its positives (different perspectives of how to resolve a fault, develop innovation strategies, or encourage and grow talented people, for example), but it is still important to focus on quality and experience. I believe to encourage more women into the world of engineering we need to be sowing the seed with young children in schools (all ages).
As a little girl, seeing women succeeding in male dominated industries really inspired me and made me want to be part of “breaking the mould”. 22 years ago it was almost rebellious to consider such a career path! I have spoken in schools over the years, and really hope I inspired some young brains into the world of engineering. I’m always happy to be a mentor for anyone who is keen and motivated, my door is always open.
