Text from IIE press release
"My classmates at school all wanted to be pop stars, astronauts or fighter pilots...all exciting jobs, but the only thing I wanted to do was dismantle things and see how they worked, which is why I became an engineer!" ~ Sara Pullen
Sara Pullen, 25, a Crew Systems Engineer for BAE SYSTEMS at Warton Aerodrome, Lancashire has been awarded the prestigious title "The Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2005", by Sir Digby Jones, Director-General, CBI. The ceremony, sponsored by The Institution of Incorporated Engineers and The Caroline Haslett Memorial Trust and supported by BT and Ford Motor Company, took place at the BT Centre, London. She beat four other finalists to claim the title. Sara, an ideal role model, is eager to embrace her new title which brings with it the responsibility of challenging the perceptions of engineering that society holds. Over the next 12 months she will visit schools and colleges and talk to the media, sharing her enthusiasm for a profession she enjoys immensely, and encouraging others to consider it for their future.
Sara was always destined to work in the aerospace industry; it's become a bit of a family tradition. Her Grandfather worked for Boeing, building helicopters, and her Great Aunt worked as an aircraft engineer on Concorde. At 15 years old Sara too caught the flight bug after she was excited by a family day out at Warton Aerodrome.
Soon after, she applied for a modern apprenticeship at BAE SYSTEMS during which she completed an ONC, HNC and HND. In 2001, she joined the Ground Support Equipment Team as a flight Systems Engineer. In 2004, Sara graduated with a BEng in Mechanical and Production Engineering.
Sara's current role, working within the Head Equipment Assembly Team involves the development and qualification of various components of the helmet which will be flown on the Typhoon in-service, once full flight clearance is gained. She is especially interested in the duty of care aspect of her career, where she has managed a number of trials to see what effect the HEA helmet has on aircrews' neck and back as they eject from the aircraft.
The Head Team is responsible for the whole life cycle of the HEA from initial concept and design, through to development and stringent assessment to delivery to the customer. She loves this aspect of her job "At the end you have a product that you can put your name to. For me it was the first new Eurofighter helmet on its first maiden flight."
Sara will be an excellent role model for all young women seeking a career in engineering, and is a worthy recipient of the Award which carries a cheque for £1,000 kindly donated by BT, a silver rose bowl and the title of The Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2005.
Other Awards
Runner-up for the main Award and winner of The WES Prize (Women's Engineering Society) is Rachael Johnson, 27, from Bracknell. Rachael is an Automation Maintenance Engineer from Royal Mail. At the Award ceremony she received a cheque for £500 and a certificate.
A Prize for Special Merit was awarded to an additional exceptional finalist. The winner was Abigail Sprankling, a 26 year old Captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from Worthing. Abigail received a cheque for £300 and a certificate.
The Mary George Memorial Prize
(awarded to a younger candidate who, whilst academically eligible, has yet to gain the experience and responsibility required for the main Award) was presented to Elizabeth Cornes, a 22 year old Engineering Technician with Network Rail. Elizabeth received a cheque for £500 and a silver salver.
The Mary George Memorial Prize runner-up
Awarded to Laura Gray, a 21 year old Working Exhibit Technician employed by Leicester County Council at Snibston Discovery Park. Laura received £300 and a certificate.
Jointly sponsored by The Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE), The Caroline Haslett Memorial Trust (CHMT), and supported by BT and Ford, this year's Young Woman Engineer of the Year competition attracted a substantial number of high calibre candidates, clearly demonstrating the impressive quality of young women now following successful careers in engineering.
EEF encourages all its members to put forward their exceptional young women engineers for this award.