STEM
AMRITA LULLA
PROCESS SAFETY ENGINEER
Why are you an engineer?
I think my chief motivation has been the ability
to make a material difference in improving
people’s lives. I remember watching a
documentary at the age of 15 where engineers
built a device to capture water from fog in the
Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on
earth. The project allowed people to settle in
a previously uninhabitable area.
I genuinely believe engineering is key to
solving some of the biggest challenges
we face in the 21st century such as climate
c h a n g e , c l e a n wa te r p rov i s i o n a nd
energy security.
There were some influences pushing me
in other directions. For example, my mum is
a doctor and there was an unconscious bias
from my family to steer me towards the
medical discipline. It just wasn’t for me, though,
and I was adamant abou t pursuing
engineering.
One important factor that helped to
convince me to pursue a career in engineering
was work experience as a student. As well as
giving me a taster in engineering, it also
provided me with a chance to truly develop
what some people call ‘soft skills.’
How can we encourage more girls to go
into engineering?
I believe lack of awareness of engineering as
a career path is one of the main issues.
Traditional images are also hard to shift and
there isn’t enough positive coverage of
engineering and engineering role models in
the media. Most science and engineering TV
shows or media articles feature men, which
reinforces the idea of engineering being a
man’s world. A good example of change is a
recent surge in women studying forensic
science. This has been linked to strong role
models on TV shows, so perhaps we need a
female engineering detective show.
I also don’t think girls appreciate that
engineers are some of the highest-paid
graduates and the employment rates for
people with engineering degrees are very
high. The numerical and problem-solving skills
you acquire in an engineering degree are very
much in demand in several different industries
and an engineering degree opens doors.
How do we provide sufficient inspiration?
I have attended career fairs, given talks on
engineering through BP’s School Link
programme to primary and senior school
children, and have mentored an all-girl group
I genuinely
believe
engineering is
key to solving
some of the
biggest
challenges we
face in the
21st century
from Surbiton High School as they carried out
a six-month engineering project as part of the
Engineering Education Scheme. I also recently
mentored at Lampton School in Hounslow on
a project for the Go4Set scheme.
A key driver for me is to give students the
information that wasn’t available to me
growing up — I wish someone had told me
about chemical engineering earlier! I also
believe engineering skills are going to be
absolutely vital to address the challenges of
sustainable development for a growing
worldwide population. We need to engage
students to be part of the solution as early
as possible.
What advice would you give to
girls considering GCSE and A level
subject choices?
Don’t drop maths. Do your research and pick
subjects that will allow you to apply for many
different degree options. Try not to limit
yourself by picking niche subjects at this stage
since your interests might change over the
years and you definitely want to leave your
options open. Speak to people about their
careers and subject options to get an idea of
different routes available. Finally, always pick
subjects you enjoy and are passionate about.
ABOUT BP
BP operates in more than 70 countries worldwide,
finding and producing oil and gas on land and
offshore. It moves energy around the globe,
manufacturing and marketing fuels and raw
materials used in thousands of everyday
productions, from mobile phones to food
packaging. bp.com/careers
FUTURE
FUTURE
TALENTED
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