Tomorrows Engineers

Janet Mapekta

Studying BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering

I live in Ashford, Kent, where Verena Holmes was born. Maybe this is a mere coincidence but her passion, determination, and dedication to breaking barriers in how women in engineering can be perceived is not by chance.

I wouldn’t define myself as a natural engineer, but engineering has transformed me into the individual I like to be. I have worked in the manufacturing industry for over a decade, seeing women who aren’t defined as engineers work to a level as such. This gave me the passion to pursue engineering, as challenging as it was for there’s no woman role figure to emulate. However, the tremendous support from the business, colleagues, and family has given me determination.

Studying mechanical engineering at Canterbury Christ Church has developed my confidence in practical and complex problem-solving. I met a great and diverse group of enthusiastic students and lecturers, allowing me to unlock my potential, and partner with regional businesses to solve and innovate new ideas. There are no limits to creativity, build-to-be technical expertise, work-ready, and being a team member for solving global challenges. Inspired by Verena, in my first year, working in a group we design, implement and operate a poppet valve.

“There are many women engineers whose lives, careers, and achievements might go unnoticed – yet each has a compelling, dynamic, and thought-provoking story” (purplegirl, 2019) Owing to Verena Holmes

I believe women engineers bring diversity and the distinct context in work improvement substantially.”

Margo Woolard

I am in training to become an architect currently. I am doing my undergraduate degree at the University of Kent alongside working at RX Architects in Rye. Ordinarily, the course would take 7 years, with two of those being compulsory years in practice. Once I have completed my undergraduate degree, I am set to do a RIBA apprenticeship scheme with the practice I work for. This will mean I carry out studies for my masters nearly entirely through the workplace which personally suits me better. 

Since I was a little girl I have aspired to be an architect. I loved Lego and Minecraft as a child as it gave me the opportunity to design houses. Being a Part 1 (as opposed to a Part 3 fully qualified architect) I spend a lot of my time making physical card models and 3D modelling from CAD plans. 

My proudest moment thus far came recently, when making a large-scale model for a town hall scheme for the local council. The model I had made was used centre stage in public consultation and was an essential part of the consultation, allowing the public to get a real understanding of the proposed design.