23 Jun 2022
Photo: Cynthia Copa Hinostroza (left) Maria Salazar (right)
This year we’re celebrating the inspiring work that women in engineering and technical roles are doing at Evoenergy. Here we meet two motivated young women who are breaking stereotypes in the field of engineering and inspiring the next generation of girls and women to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Q: What is your job title and what is your area of work?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: I work as a Project Engineer in our Customer Technical Services Team.
Maria Salazar
A: I am an Automation Systems Engineer, and my role focuses on the engineering, commissioning, and maintenance of electronic protection and control devices within Evoenergy’s Zone and Distribution Substations.
Q: Why did you choose Engineering as a career path?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: Choosing an engineering career for me was a great way to harness my interest in STEM while using my creativity to solve complex problems. I think I am a problem solver by nature.
Maria Salazar
A: I chose engineering because I was interested in the built environment, how things worked, and problem solving. Both of my parents are civil engineers, so from a young age I saw what engineers did whenever they took me to their workplaces.
Q: What would you say to young women thinking about a future in engineering?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: To try it out! Now is a great time for women in STEM, we need more diversity in the industry.
If you are curious about how things work and solving problems, then engineering might be a good career for you.
Maria Salazar
A: I would say to believe in yourself, find out what you are interested in, and go for it!
Q: What inspires you about being a woman in Engineering?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: My co-workers. I work with very smart people, and I am always learning new things.
Maria Salazar
A: I enjoy being in a fast-paced job where I am always learning, collaborating in a team, getting to go on site, and using technology to help power Canberra.
Q: What is the most exciting project you have worked on in your career/you’re working on now?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: My work involves design and project engineering of mainly routine complex and non-complex projects for underground and overhead assets such as installation of distribution substations and electricity supply to new commercial and residential developments.
Maria Salazar
A: I am currently working on a few projects to upgrade and convert our conventional hardwired substations into digital substations. These projects are interesting and exciting because of the new technologies and processes used, which means I am constantly learning.
Q: What are your hopes for the future of women working in engineering?
Cynthia Copa Hinostroza
A: I hope to see more representation of women in engineering and in leadership roles within STEM related industries.
Maria Salazar
A: I hope to see more women not only in engineering, but also in the field, with more skilled tradespeople and electricians. It would be good to see an equal split and a more diverse workforce.
I was lucky when I started at Evoenergy because there were senior managers, including female engineers and managers that I could look up to as role models, but that's not necessarily the case in other businesses.