“I’ve always wanted to work in a field where I could contribute to society, as I enjoy problem-solving and engineering felt like the right fit,” she said. “At university, I got involved in sustainability and energy-related projects, which developed that interest much further and shaped where I wanted to go

"Now, as a Graduate Engineer at Rotork, I have exciting opportunities to apply technical skills to real-world challenges, and to work across teams to find the right solutions.”

Jessica discovered the value of teamwork early in her career. One of her rotations put her outside her comfort zone, thanks to the complexity and high standards involved. “Collaboration across different teams made a difference, because everyone was aligned to the same goal,” she said.

“Tasks were completed more efficiently, communication was more effective, and we were able to deliver on time to a high standard. It was a great learning experience.”

On a similar note, Jessica believes this year’s theme for International Women in Engineering Day, #EngineeringIntelligence, represents the need to combine efforts to achieve results.

“Humans bring technical skills, creativity, judgement and an understanding of real‑world needs,” she said. “Technology helps us analyse data, work faster and improve accuracy. When we put the two together, we use the strengths of both.”

Jessica’s early inspirations and career ambitions have come to life, and she offers this advice to others considering a career in engineering or STEM: “Stay curious, be willing to ask questions, try new things and step outside your comfort zone.

“Believe in your ability, develop a genuine passion for your field, and build strong collaboration and people skills – they are essential. The journey may not be easy, but if you’re willing to work hard and maintain the right mindset, your goals are absolutely achievable.”