Women are increasingly entering non-traditional careers such as engineering, but the increase is still far from enough, according to the University of Sydney's School of Civil and Mining Engineering.
To raise awareness of the potential rewards of a civil engineering career, the School is launching an award for the top women HSC students who enrol in the School. The first awards will be made to 1996 entrants.
The four women with the highest TER scores who enrol in civil engineering at the University of Sydney will each receive a prize of $500.
'Enrolments here by women are more than 50 per cent greater than the average for engineering courses, but that is still not high enough,' Professor John Carter, Head of the School, said.
About 20 per cent of students enrolling in civil engineering at the University of Sydney are women, compared to a national average of about 13 per cent.
'Women's enrolments aren't high enough because there are many talented women who could make a great contribution in this profession, but they either don't consider engineering careers, or are turned off by old-fashioned images.
'We want people with energy, creativity, and communication and problem-solving skills, and we firmly believe that anyone with these qualities should consider a career in engineering.
'Australia needs more people trained in engineering and the nation can't afford to ignore the abilities and potential of women.
'The award will help to build awareness among female high school students, and their schools and families, of the possibilities of engineering careers, and shows women that they are valued by the School.'
The $500 award will cover books required by students in their first year, as well as help pay for university student subscriptions.
The award will probably be the first of many financial benefits that its recipients will receive. About half this year's Chancellor's Industry Scholarships in Engineering recipients were women. Chancellor's Scholars receive more than $10,000 a year, plus a higher level of industry experience than their fellow students.
After graduation, civil engineers can look forward to high earnings. Last year's civil engineering graduates from the University started on salaries of $29,000.
But the ability to make a difference in the community and environment is another strong drawcard for women in civil engineering.
Many women civil engineering students are attracted to the environmental engineering strand in the University's Bachelor of Civil Engineering course, Professor Carter noted.
Many other women choose the course's project management strand as the foundation for management careers.
'Nobody should be deterred by images of civil engineers working in dust and grime. Some civil engineers love working in physically tough, remote or exotic places, but others thrive in dynamic city-based project management consultancies,' Professor Carter said.
The School of Civil and Mining Engineering hopes that the new award will repeat the success of a similar award that was offered in the late 1980s. Then, enrolments by women rose in five years from about 5 per cent in 1986 to 19 per cent in 1991.
Other University of Sydney programs to attract female engineering students start in high school with bursaries for female school students and a three-day program when high school students shadow female university students. The Faculty of Engineering is also developing programs to support female students during their studies.
For more information about the award or application forms, contact Professor John Carter, Head of the School of Civil and Mining Engineering at the University of Sydney, NSW 2006, or by telephone on (02) 351 2136.
Media contact: Miriam Goodwin, Faculty of Engineering media liaison, (02) 351 5674