“Perceptions of engineering are changing”, says Professor Helen Atkinson, one of the figureheads for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s campaign. The technological revolution and the huge challenges facing society today mean that engineering is one of the most crucial, interesting and diverse careers. Professor Atkinson explains more, and shares her own journey into this field.
How did you get into engineering?
“I became an engineer by accident. I loved physics at school and went on to study the subject at university, despite my parents’ worries about what career that might lead me into. I loved asking questions and finding out how the world worked. Whilst at university I discovered Metallurgy and Material Engineering, and it was a fascinating subject.
“You look down a microscope and see these amazing shapes and colours – and they all mean something. It is aesthetically stunning. The strength of a metal is deter