Stephanie Newman - WISE Young Women's Board 2015/16

Airframe Integration Manager, Rolls-Royce PLC

My interest in STEM started at school, a girls’ school where we were encouraged to explore all our passions. Yet still, only 2 out of 120 girls in my year became engineers. Luckily I had inspirational teachers who supported my dream to become an Astronaut. They introduced me to engineering and I was immediately drawn in as it combined my love of maths and physics with practical problem solving, giving me the ability to say, “I designed that”.

After completing my Masters in Aerospace Engineering at Cambridge University I joined Rolls-Royce’s graduate leadership engineering scheme. At Rolls-Royce, I have had the chance work around the business and the world; including Singapore and Montreal, before I started my current role as Airframe Integration Manager. I now work closely with our customers and am responsible for integrating the Trent 1000 engine onto the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

I’ve had the good fortune to be mentored by some wonderful women, but I am saddened as I see few women in senior positions in engineering. I feel strongly that it is important to increase our numbers throughout the organisation. We bring a different perspective and new ideas, which are a vital part of a high performing team. I am passionate about encouraging young women to work in STEM subjects and consider careers in engineering. As a STEM ambassador for the Bloodhound Project, I seek to support the next generation of engineers and scientists. As a member of the WISE Young Women’s Board I am excited to be able to work with more young people to encourage them to STEM careers and to spread the word about all the exciting opportunities.

I would like to share my excitement for STEM with other young women and use it to encourage more girls to realise their dreams in science and engineering.