Emma

For Thales, supporting women in the workplace is a top priority.

Thales understands that having a diverse workforce is essential for its continued success, which is why it is committed to addressing the historic gender imbalance in UK STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) industries.

We know that, from 16 onwards, the number of young women studying STEM subjects falls dramatically, which is why we work with schools, colleges and STEM partners to help everyone see the exciting career paths available in these sectors.

At present, over 23 per cent of Thales employees are women, a figure we are determined to increase. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to enable women to excel in their careers and continue to grow the company's diversity.

Ahead of the Expo, we talk to Emma Chivers about her experiences as a STEM student, her impressions of working life at Thales and her hopes for the future.

Emma is a 24-year-old master’s degree graduate, originally from Portsmouth. She studied aerospace engineering at the University of Bristol, as a four-year integrated course, before joining Thales’s graduate programme.

What drew you into pursuing a career in engineering?

At school I took maths, further maths and physics A-levels at college, and really enjoyed those subjects. When it came to applying for university, I was looking for a qualification that had an immediate practical use, which led me to considering engineering. I looked at the different branches of engineering and found aerospace was a good fit with my interests.

A related topic that interested me was sustainability. Now I’m in the engineering industry, it’s becoming clear that everyone is trying to incorporate that aspect into aerospace developments. That’s really important to me.

Are you feeling positive about Thales helping you to excel in your career?

Definitely. Being able to change placements and decide where to go next gives me confidence, especially. That will help me in deciding, toward the end of the scheme, what area I want to roll off into permanently. We also have mentors who support us in working out our preferred direction and what we need to do to get there. What we’re learning on the university course will be helpful too, ensuring we’re ready for chartership in the future.

By the end of the four years, we should all have found a role that suits us. The factors shaping that choice will include the people we’ve met, the networks we’ve created, the particular skills we’ve developed and the knowledge we’ve gained of different areas of the business. Everyone will see a clear path and options for career progression. For me, there’s still much to work out in terms of what role I see for myself, but I know the support I need is there.

The flexibility to move within the company isn’t limited to the graduate scheme, either, it extends into full-time roles as well. It feels like Thales is very keen to help people find the role that suits them best – and to be the best they can be.

Before joining Thales, what was your experience of the challenges faced by women in engineering?

When I went to university, I was already well aware of how few women there were in the STEM industry. Of a hundred people on my engineering course, fewer than ten were female.

I always knew I liked maths and physics, but I never saw engineering as something I could do. I thought of it in terms of hands-on work, and it wasn’t until I started applying for universities that a family member suggested I look at engineering. Reading through university prospectuses, I realised what was available and it suddenly clicked – very late in my school life.

It’s not an industry that many people are aware of as children. But I think boys are more likely to find their way into it, as their interest in military games and stories makes them think about things like aircraft.

What has been your experience of Thales’ efforts to attract women into engineering?

Thales has definitely made strides here with its strong focus on inclusion. Amongst the staff already working in the company, Thales tries to raise awareness of the challenges different people face. Networks have been set up so women in the company can share ideas and problems, or just find familiar and friendly faces.

The company is also supportive and flexible to women around maternity breaks and other family-related needs. I’m not at that stage of life yet, but I’ve spoken to female colleagues who’ve said that Thales is very good at giving them the time they need, and not letting it affect promotions or future ambitions. Even if they’re not physically present at work, the company always keeps them in mind.

In both of my placements so far, I’ve been reassured to see women as heads of departments. Although men outnumber women as a whole in the organisation, it’s really inspiring to have met women in positions I might aspire to in the future.

Do you feel passionately about changing people’s perception of women in engineering?

I do. All Thales graduates are given 80 hours a year to dedicate to voluntary activities. Some of my voluntary work this year has been targeted at showing girls that they can be involved in STEM work, and trying to be a role model for them.

I’d like to think it won’t be long before there’s much less of a difference in the numbers of male and female applicants for engineering degrees. In university and job recruitment processes, there does seem to be a lot of effort now toward being fair to all types of people.