International Women in Engineering Day 2021 – Stephanie Were

24th June, 2021

To continue our series of features for International Women in Engineering Day, we spoke to Stephanie Were, a Developing Process Engineer at ODE, about problem-solving in engineering and the importance of the industry.

How did you enter the engineering industry?

I have always had a knack for problem-solving and a deep interest in science. I found that engineering gave a technical approach to solving real-world problems and I was particularly drawn to this. I applied to a Chemical Engineering degree after secondary school as I loved how broad the subject matter was and the opportunity to make a real impact that it could afford me.

Has there been a project or piece of work you were involved in that you feel particularly proud of?

Yes, I have truly enjoyed working on a wide variety of projects thus far, particularly projects involving hydrogen production from renewable energy. I find this well-aligned with where the future of the industry is heading, and learning about the new technologies in the energy sector has been quite enjoyable. I am particularly proud of this as it leans into a future of clear sustainable energy and playing a role in making this happen is a dream come true.

How does your work contribute to the running of the industry and wider society?

I truly believe the work that I do at ODE has a big impact on society. Being in the energy sector, we provide the fuel required for society to essentially operate. Working on established technologies such as natural gas and newer technologies such as hydrogen provides us with a unique opportunity – the ability to maintain functionality of industry and homes as well as being part of the forefront in establishing clean, reliable and, most importantly, sustainable sources of energy for future generations.