The IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards

Arlene McConnell - winner 
The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award 2010

Systems Engineer
Selex Galileo, Graduate Development Framework

On leaving Secondary school Arlene entered full-time employment in the Retail industry and then Care services, until 2003 when she was called into active service in the RAF from the RauxAF. After completing an overseas deployment she went on to college to study Automotive Engineering where she gained an HND. From here Arlene went on to study for an honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Glasgow.

After graduating Arlene had to decide between the many routes into industry that are open to engineering graduates finally choosing a company which offered a comprehensive and exciting Graduate Development Framework designed to develop and support new graduates through training, education, and multi-role experience. She worked on various projects and placements as part of the GDF including: Laser Systems, Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems and Surveillance Radar.

Currently Arlene is working on a new Radar system being designed for the Gripen Fighter Jet. Arlene coaches the University of Glasgow Women's Rugby club after having played for the team for the past five years. She also plays for Hillhead/Jordanhill Rugby Club who was this year's winner of the Scottish Cup. In the past she has played many different sports including Hockey, Swimming, Volleyball & Netball, all representing the Army Cadet force either at unit, regional or national level. Arlene holds a Black belt in Shoto Kan Karate and has studied other martial arts including Jeet Kune Do and Kick Boxing. She is an avid hill walker and outdoor enthusiast.

Sarah Curtis - winner 
The WES Prize 2010

Team Leader, Energy Infrastructure
E.ON New Build and Technology

After successfully completing a Masters Degree in Chemistry at the University of Leeds, Sarah embarked upon a structured graduate engineering development scheme at E.ON New Build and Technology, the science, engineering and technology hub of the E.ON Group.

After gaining a wide range of experience across key engineering disciplines in her first few years with the company, including a placement at a coal-fired Power Station in Germany, Sarah went on to lead a team in the New Technologies Department in August 2009.

Currently responsible for a team of eleven engineers engaged with the development of cutting-edge low carbon technologies, Sarah also manages a large R&D budget. Along with her team, Sarah works with technology companies and universities to understand important energy research topics and demonstrate the potential of new and emergent technologies. In addition to this, Sarah is committed to the promotion of STEM subjects in schools, universities and at regional and national events – for example, Sarah will be filmed as a case study for the UKRC’s National Conference, “Women Mean Business”, in October 2010.

In her leisure time, Sarah is a keen mountain biker and likes to spend her weekends enjoying the pursuit in the Peak District. Having danced since she was 10, Sarah also goes to regular ballet and tap lessons during the week.

Charlotte Gough 
The Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices 2010

Apprentice Auto Electrician
Bentley Motors Ltd

Charlotte started at Bentley three years ago at the age of 17. She moved up from Cambridgeshire so she could pursue an Advanced Apprenticeship at one of the most prestigious car companies and although it was slightly scary at the time she has never looked back.

In her three years Charlotte has participated in nearly every area of the business from sales and marketing through to the shop floor and into the prototype/engineering workshop. She started a foundation degree in electrical/electronic engineering in September and is looking forward to this next chapter in her career.

Lisa Pape - winner 
Special Prize for Merit 2010

Craft Apprentice
3M UK Plc

Lisa Pape is twenty-one and works for 3M UK Plc as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineering Apprentice. Lisa joined 3M at eighteen and is currently in her final year of a four year apprenticeship. During her time as an apprentice, Lisa has worked on many complex and technically challenging projects. In addition to this practical work, Lisa has undertaken academic studies, achieving a distinction grade on ONC Operations and Maintenance and at present working towards a distinction in HNC Mechatronics.

Prior to joining 3M, Lisa attended her local Sixth Form to study Sciences at A-level where her interest in engineering was sparked. It was at this point that Lisa identified that she would choose engineering as her career due to the various challenges and opportunities.

Lisa has a strong interest in progressing within the field of engineering applying her motto "you get out of life as much as you put in" to both work and social activities. In her spare time Lisa has an active social life, including sporting pursuits, spending as much time with family and friends as possible and looking for new exciting fundraising challenges.

Sara Kieran Salim - winner
Special Prize for Merit 2010

Electronics & Electrical Engineer
Ofcom

Sara Kieran Salim is 24 years old and she was born in Burton upon Trent to a mixed race Asian family. After leaving school she started working for an organisation called Continental VDO Automotive as a technician in the quality department. She progressed to be a quality engineer dealing with fuel systems and customer complaints and liaised with the design department who devised a “fix” for the problem. She stayed with Continental for 4 years but left when the company relocated to Germany. During her time with Continental she studied at Birmingham University to attain a CQI Quality Management Foundation Degree which was preceded by an A level in Quality Management. She is still continuing her studies in this area and has also achieved a diploma in Social Science.

In 2009 Sara answered an advert for the position of Apprentice Radio Frequency Field Engineer at Ofcom and, despite very stiff competition secured one of the 10 posts as the only female recruit. This was a complete career change for her but still kept her passion for engineering alive. She enrolled on an Electrical and Electronics Engineering HNC at Bedford College but opted to take the extra units to progress to HND. She attends college one day a week and spends at least two days working with established Field Engineers anywhere within the UK. She will complete my HND in June 2011 and then intends to start a BEng programme in Telecommunications at Blackburn College.

Sara's role is very varied and requires her to understand the relevant English law in addition to a wide, yet deep, knowledge of the various radio frequency users. Sara worked alongside Dorna, the Spanish host broadcaster for MotoGP during the UK leg of the 2010 series. She will also be playing a vital part in many major sporting events over the next year and will be involved in a critical role during the 2012 Olympics. Sara recently worked with Formula One Management in Belgium during the Belgian F1 Grand Prix (Formula One Management is the host broadcaster for the F1 Grand Prix).

Sara is currently a student member of the IET but and is working on her application to achieve EngTech registration within the next few months. She is determined to become CEng within as short a timescale as possible.

Sara’s hobbies are as far removed from her career as possible. She enjoys horse riding and going to the gym to keep herself fit and active. She is an avid reader of non-fiction books and enjoys the odd horror film or two! She is also a keen follower of the MotoGP series and has attended many races.