Women in STEM: Katy Milne, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering

Katy Milne earned her engineering degrees from the Imperial College London and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Here she shares a little about her career and the inspiration behind it.

What is your specific area of STEM?
Research/Manufacturing/Digital Engineering/Measurement and testing

How would you explain your STEM field to young girls?
I check manufacturing parts using technologies like X-ray to check that they have no defects.
 
What traits might a child possess that may indicate an interest or aptitude for your STEM field?
Curiosity
 
What did you know about your STEM field when you were a child? 
I didn't know anything about my specific STEM field (manufacturing inspection) when I was a child. I was always interested in science, but particularly in space. I used to talk to my Dad, who is a pilot, about science a lot. My parents told me that I could do anything, and never told me that not many girls do Engineering. My school sent me to a summer space school when I was 14.
 
Why did you choose your STEM field? Were you inspired by someone?
I wanted to be an astronaut but realised early on that not many people get to go to space. I decided that being someone who built stuff that went to space would be a good backup - so I decided to study Mechanical Engineering. I ended up in my specialism (manufacturing inspection) by accident - but I do get to see loads of cool stuff, and even inspect things that do go to space!


What are some really cool things that people in your profession work on? 
Inspectors of oil rigs have to scuba dive to check the safety of the structure that is under the sea. I worked on projects to print the largest ever component printed for an aeroplane jet engine.

What inspirational message would you give young girls to inspire them to pursue STEM? 
I get to work with people. I get to be creative. The work that I do makes peoples' lives better.
 
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Thank you for contributing, Katy!

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