Why did you choose to become an engineer?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always enjoyed drawing, and I became interested in buildings at an early age. And my mom is incredibly supportive, so when I started drawing buildings, she backed my ideas about becoming an architect 100% back then. But I’ve also always enjoyed combining creativity with logic and math, and I thrive best when I can back up every answer with two lines of reasoning.

In middle school, however, I was very unsure whether I should pursue the general STX track or go the technical route. Back then—and perhaps even today—there were many prejudices against a girl choosing HTX. It wasn’t seen as particularly “feminine,” and if you wanted to be one of the cool kids, the STX track was the way to go. That’s not something that bothers me today, but at that age, those kinds of things matter a lot.

But then I visited HTX, and there I really just felt at home. Their explanation of the teaching method—where theory is combined with a lot of hands-on practical experience—was exactly what I was looking for.

So how was it?

I really thrived there, and I even chose to become a student ambassador during my time at HTX. I think it’s good for young people to see that technical subjects are for everyone, no matter who you are, and I wanted to help demonstrate that. So I got to talk to a lot of 8th graders about what HTX is all about and why it’s fun to pursue a more technical path.

When I started at HTX, the gender distribution among incoming students was about 35-65, and by the time I graduated, we were closer to 50-50, so things are definitely moving in the right direction. Of course, this isn’t something I’d take credit for, but I believe that visibility plays a big role in encouraging young people to dare to take a different path than their peers, and I’d like to be a part of that.

However, the statistics in the construction industry also show that we still have a ways to go. But I truly believe we have a lot to gain by making room for everyone in the industry—not just in terms of gender distribution, but across every conceivable parameter.

Where specifically do you see potential?

I mean, if you look at it purely from a mathematical perspective, it’s already a huge loss of potential if you’ve written off half the population because it’s not a “feminine” field of study or job. So just there alone, we have a huge potential gain.

But at the same time, I believe there’s tremendous value in promoting diversity for the sake of innovative thinking. Everyone has something different to offer—some excel at complex calculations, some are good at planning, coordination, and communication, and others are skilled at thinking outside the box and approaching problems from unconventional angles. A good project team comprises diverse strengths that all benefit one another, and the same applies to the industry as a whole.

And with many different backgrounds and perspectives in the workplace, we have a much better chance of fostering innovation and effective collaboration. In addition, I also believe it’s much more enjoyable for everyone to go to work when you have a diverse and inclusive workplace, so that’s obviously just a bonus.

What have your own experiences been like in the industry?

Overall, I’ve found the industry to be positive and inclusive, so I’ve definitely not been scared off—and I’m absolutely convinced we’re on the right track. Here at ABC, I’ve especially found that the company has been good at embracing me as an employee, and I’ve rarely felt treated differently because of my gender.

I receive the same support as anyone else and am evaluated based on my professional skills and my work. And that’s exactly where we want to be—where we think as little as possible about being women, and instead focus on being engineers.

I’ve also been fortunate to have a number of really strong and talented role models since I joined ABC. My own manager, Amanda, is incredibly talented and truly leads the way, and I have so many fantastic colleagues—both women and men—with whom I collaborate closely and enjoy working.

What do you think would be some good steps in the right direction?

Of course, there are plenty of things we can do better, because it’s not uncommon to hear stories about women leaving the construction industry. So we all definitely have a responsibility here to make it a welcoming industry for everyone. But I actually think, in general, that we’ve come a long way in the construction industry—at least that’s been my experience on the consulting side—so now we just need to convince the next generations that there’s a place for them in the construction industry, too.

A large part of this is simply a matter of practicality: the more visible women there are in the construction industry, the more I believe will join in the long run. The fear for many may be that they’ll enter the workforce and have no one to look up to as a role model, whether in terms of gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexuality, or something else entirely. And as our presence becomes more common, it gradually becomes demystified and less of a deviation from the norm.

That’s one of the reasons I chose to become a student ambassador at HTX, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve attended the DSE Fair at DTU—where I myself graduated—several times as one of ABC’s representatives. That’s also why I agreed to this conversation, even though I’m usually not someone who seeks the spotlight. But I want to help inspire my young, up-and-coming colleagues, just as I myself have been inspired by my many amazing colleagues who paved the way for me.