Mechanical Engineering student lands role in a global engineering network – thanks to their passion for STEM

A GCU student has used her passion for her profession to land a role with a global engineering institution. 

 4th year Mechanical Systems Engineering student Erin Rooney has been a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) since 2018; an international network of engineers from 140 countries.  

 Since joining as a member, Erin’s involvement has led her to join the IMechE Glasgow Young Members Panel, which allowed her to build connections and network with organisers at IMechE events. Showing her passion towards the importance of these events, Erin was given the role of Digital Content Officer and now helps manage the institution’s social media platforms as well as the IMechE Glasgow Young Members Panel webpage. 

 Erin feels very privileged to be a part of the institution and believes that social media is crucial in spreading awareness about it. She said: “Our members are working on expanding our digital content to share the achievements of our panel and members, share engineering news and importantly advertise our upcoming events.  

 The panel works hard to hold events that are beneficial for students and young professionals. Social media plays a big role in the success of these events and I am very proud to be a part of this section of the panel.” 

 Feeling grateful for the opportunities she has had since joining the IMechE, Erin highly encourages other student engineers to get involved. She said: “I couldn’t recommend getting involved with the IMechE enough! In the Glasgow Young Members Panel we hold several events, specifically targeted to helping Mechanical Engineering Students and young professionals.  

 Events coming up in the next couple of months include; Entrepreneurship in Engineering event, Mock Assessment Centres, Women in STEM event, CHAIN Scotland, FUSE Centre for Doctoral Training Event and several more. For more information about these events, please check out our socials and Near You page on the IMechE website. 

Glasgow Young Members Panel allows you to build a strong professional network, attend and plan events specific to your interests, make friends with like-minded people, open up new career progression opportunities and gain valuable skills in new areas.” 

 Erin, who actively gets involved in extra-curricular activities, wants to use her experience to make career enhancing opportunities more accessible for students studying engineering. She said: “Joining the IMechE Young Members Panel has allowed me to gain confidence in my skills which I have been able to practice out with the work of the panel.  Last year, I was Class Representative for Mechanical Systems Engineering and this year I have go on to work as Department Representative, which I have used to communicate with a wide range of people and work to provide feedback to improve the course.” 

 She added: “After being asked to speak at the Women in Engineering Day at the University, I have gone on to work with the Athena Swan SAT group in the School of Computing Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE) as we begin work towards a Gold Athena Swan application after recent success in attaining a Silver award.  This group allows me to work actively in making our school a more equal place, which is an area I am very passionate about. 

 I strongly believe that diversity in engineers will lead to creating better solutions to engineering challenges.   

 After experiencing the advantages herself, Erin understands how beneficial it is to get involved with extra-curricular activities whilst studying at university. She said: “I think it is important for students from all fields to get involved in extra-curricular activities, whether it’s a sporting society or volunteering work. It is possible to develop yourself and your knowledge outside of work and university. 

 My work with the IMechE and other volunteering opportunities as a student has allowed me to make things that little bit easier for Mechanical Engineering students. Through holding events that aim to inspire and open doors for students, resolving issues as Department Rep, sharing my experience as a female engineering student and working towards equality in SCEBE - this has given me a sense of purpose and feeling of community at both GCU and the IMechE Glasgow Young Members Panel. They have both been beneficial in helping to build my confidence and new skills.” 

 Find out about the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on their website 

By Rachael McAlonan  

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media  here