International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the globe on 8th March every year, and this year’s campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge. A challenging world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So, let’s all choose to challenge.
Today we’re celebrating all of the outstanding women at Smart Choice Metering, including Dual Fuel Smart Meter Engineer, Melissa Davies, who took a bold step and completely changed her career and is now flourishing within a typically male-dominated industry.
Before Melissa became an engineer, she worked in recruitment for many years but decided it wasn’t something she wanted to do forever.
“Although I enjoyed my time and experiences in the recruitment industry, I always felt like it wasn’t my forever career and I was simply just collecting a paycheck,” said Melissa.
“When I made the decision to become a dual fuel engineer, it was a now or never choice, and oh my, it was the best career decision I had ever made. I feel I have found my forever career, forever with the Smart Choice family.”
Melissa’s role as a Dual Fuel Smart Meter Engineer involves installing smart electric and gas meters for domestic and commercial customers and providing them with positive information on the benefits of metering. She also ensures stock is managed from a central distribution point and completes testing in line with industry standards and codes of practice.
“I have reached so many milestones in my career already, from lighting a warm air system to being able to cut 25mm cable, and undoing the tightest of tight meter unions,” said Melissa.
“Every day is a learning day – there will always be something that you’ve never seen before, however knowing I have the support around me makes me feel comfortable tackling new situations as there is always a solution.”
It’s no secret that engineering is hugely male-dominated, and the number of women in an engineering career in the UK is lower than anywhere else in Europe and sits at around 6%, but Melissa wants to encourage other females to join the industry.
“Although I’m a female in a male-dominated industry, I don’t feel that I’m treated any differently with regards to support, guidance and opportunities than any other engineer employed within Smart Choice Metering, which is great.”
And Melissa has some sound advice for any females thinking about entering the world of engineering.
“Oh my, go for it! If you don’t mind been hands-on, getting involved, and problem-solving, do it! It’s never too late to change your career to something that makes you happier. You spend most of your life at work, and life is too short to spend it doing something you’re not passionate about.”
Although Melissa is enjoying every moment of being an engineer, she is aiming to get as much field knowledge as possible, which will help her achieve her goal of becoming an auditor or team leader.
“I’m still very excited about the journey that I am on, and plan to make the most of every opportunity,” she added.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a smart meter engineer and other career opportunities at Smart Choice Metering, please click here.
This is an important day and still very much needed so let’s continue to celebrate, increase visibility and call out inequality! #ChooseToChallenge #InternationalWomansDay
