To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2022, Chloe Stanton, Manufacturing Manager at Krucial, speaks to us about her role in the company, her career to date (including a stint working on the large hadron collider), and her professional journey as a woman in the engineering industry.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m an adopted Glaswegian. I’m originally from East Lothian, moved to Edinburgh for university and then on to Glasgow for work. I live here now with my cat Ozzy – and I still love the place.
Although I was hired at Krucial as an embedded engineer, I was promoted after around eight months to the position of Manufacturing Manager.
I’ve worked now in engineering for the best part of a decade, having started my first job the day after my last ever exam – I realise how fortunate that was!
Is it true you worked on the Large Hadron Collider project, which looks to recreate the conditions present for the big bang?
That is true! To be involved in one of the most high-profile science and engineering projects ever was a dream come true.
I was senior electronics engineer so was the engineering authority at the site I worked on. Across the world there were hundreds of engineers and thousands of academics – and some of those academics were coming to me for information during different times on the project, including well known, commercially published writers. It was an exciting time.
Despite the thrill of working on such a big project, I must admit that there wasn’t a huge amount of scope for advancement and my remit was very fixed, which I wasn’t keen on.
The freedom I get at Krucial is a big part of why I love it here – not something I got working in my previous role. I work at a faster pace and in a more varied role here, two things I enjoy.
What does a typical work day look like?
There are well documented global supply chain challenges at the moment – that’s my main priority for the time being, making sure we have materials to make our product. A lot of my day is therefore liaising with external stakeholders and suppliers, managing forecasts, identifying potential issues in the future and working with colleagues to mitigate any hurdles.
The other side of that is understanding external issues which are affecting the supply chain – and I keep on top of current affairs as a result.
I also make sure that I’m building a good amount of time each week into the other parts of my job that I’m responsible for – including putting processes in place to facilitate the interaction between manufacturing and other areas of the business, and hands on tech work.
The trust instilled in me has really encouraged me to take my career to the next level, and the fact I’m responsible for such a crucial element in the running of the company is really exciting. I want to feel ownership over what I do, which I absolutely get here.
Today is International Women in Engineering Day 2022 – what has been your experience as a woman working in engineering your whole career?
It’s no secret that engineering has traditionally been a profession dominated by men, and while it’s becoming more balanced every year, even in 2020 only 14.5% of engineers in the UK were women. That’s been my experience too, and while the vast majority of male colleagues have treated me completely as an equal, it has still at times been tough in situations where I’m the only woman in a team – though that’s never been the case at Krucial.
Krucial has a really diverse workforce, and that mix of life experience is why we work so well together – we’re all from different backgrounds but are working towards one goal.
What advice would you give women looking to embark on a career in engineering or at an early stage in their career?
This is the most important thing – you deserve to be there. Trust in yourself at all times, you’re living in a time when you could be a trailblazer in the industry.
For those looking to break into the industry, don’t ever feel intimidated even if workplaces have a majority male workforce. Things are changing, and engineering is becoming increasingly diverse, but most men are in favour of this too. The old school attitudes that women do one thing and men do another are far less common than before and if you do come across it, call it out.
Quick fire questions
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time
Sampling Glasgow’s culture…coffee shops, restaurants, bars. I love the vibe of this city.
- Fav holiday destination and why
Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, I’d go back in a second.
- If you could be anyone for a day who and why
Laura Dern – she’s an icon.
- Dogs or cats
Both bring something different to the party…but definitely cats!
- Favourite food
I had woodpigeon breast at a random pub in Midlothian about 10 years ago which was delicious, and something I’ve never come across since.
Find out more about International Women in Engineering Day at International Women in Engineering Day – 23 June 2021 (inwed.org.uk).