International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day matters to us because it reflects who we are. Our teams are powered by talented women: leaders, creators, problem-solvers and strategists who shape our culture and drive our success. We believe that supporting women in the workplace isn’t a one-day conversation; it’s an everyday responsibility. IWD gives us the opportunity to celebrate progress, acknowledge ongoing challenges and champion a more inclusive future together.

Across our offices at Wessex Internet, we’re proud to see a strong balance of women and men throughout the business. But step outside the office and into the field, and the picture changes. Like much of the infrastructure and engineering sector, our Garden Teams and Installation Engineers operate in a traditionally male-dominated space.

So we spent the day with Ruby, one of our Installation Engineers, who’s proving every day that capability, not gender, defines the role. (Although, as she pointed out, when it comes to toilet stops in the countryside, the men might have a slight advantage!)

Meet Ruby, Installation Engineer

How did you become an engineer?

“I started at Wessex Internet in an office role, so I had no hands-on experience with engineering or tools. But Wessex Internet didn’t let that stop me, and they didn’t discriminate because I’m a woman. They took me from knowing almost nothing about engineering and trained me to become a qualified Installation Engineer.

I’m forever grateful for that. My advice to anyone thinking about this career? Don’t worry if you don’t have experience. There are companies that will take you on as a trainee, train you properly, and help you grow. I earned all my qualifications while working at Wessex, and it’s honestly the best place I’ve ever worked, a brilliant place to start your engineering journey.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“I’ve got a couple. My first one would be my dad. He’s worked incredibly hard from a young age and has built a lot for himself. He started with literally nothing and created a great life through sheer determination. He works hard, always makes time for everyone and puts others first, even while managing raging ADHD! I really look up to that.

At work, Chris May, our Installation Manager, is a big inspiration to me. He’s been at Wessex longer than I have, but I’ve known him since my first day here about two or three years ago. He works incredibly hard and knows so much about the job.

The same goes for Liam, my team lead. I go to both for advice all the time. I want to know as much about the job as they do.”

Do you ever feel treated differently as a female engineer?

“I wouldn’t say I’m treated differently as such. Sometimes you get comments about how surprising it is to see a woman in this industry. And maybe you’re looked at slightly differently because it’s still seen as a ‘man’s job’. But I wouldn’t say I’m treated differently. It’s more that people aren’t used to seeing women in these roles yet.”

Using International Women’s Day as a catalyst, what message would you like to share?

“If I could get any message across, it would be that there shouldn’t be a divide between women and men.

There are so many opinions about men and women, how we think, how we act, what we do day to day. But really, we’re all the same. We all have strengths. We all have weaknesses. We’re just living in different bodies. I wish people weren’t shocked to see a woman turn up to do a ‘man’s job’ because it’s not a man’s job. It’s a job. Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it. I love what I do.”

We loved spending the day with Ruby, her story shows that engineering isn’t defined by gender or experience, but by passion, dedication, and the right support. If you or someone you know is interested in a career in engineering, check out our careers page for more information.