Today is International Women’s Day, the annual day to celebrate the cultural, economic, social, and political achievements of women. There is a theme each year and the theme for 2024 is one we are passionate about here at Tantek 4D – Inspire Inclusion. We believe in inspiring inclusion and creating a more inclusive world for everyone, including women.
As part of International Women’s Day 2024, we sat down for a Q&A session with Thais Ventura, Tantek 4D BIM Engineer.
How did you get into this industry?
“I am from Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. Growing up there I always had a dream of becoming a civil engineer. I used to play the game SIMS a lot, building houses, and I loved doing that. I was going to be the first engineer in my family, but it was what I wanted to do.
“I got my degree but when I was in college, I knew I wanted to be involved in big projects, so I decided to move abroad. I got a scholarship to do a master’s in structural engineering at a university in Italy and it was on that course that I got my first introduction to BIM methodology.
“After graduating I started working as a BIM engineer in Portugal before getting the job here at Tantek 4D. Most of my industry knowledge has come from previous experiences and especially my time here at Tantek 4D. The first thing I modelled was structural elements and then some architectural projects but now I am working on modelling and coordination of data centres and other big projects.”
What has been your experience as a woman working in the industry, especially in relation to the issue of inclusion?
“Five or six years ago, it was hard to find a female civil engineer or BIM engineer as a reference or role model. But I think that situation is changing a lot and in the last few years, it is getting easier to find more women in this field and feel inspired by them.
“I have had a good experience, but it is a fact that in college, the majority of the class was men. We need to change that as inclusion is all about getting more women into engineering and into this field of engineering. That is very important.”
What advice do you have for girls or young women thinking about pursuing an engineering career?
“You should always believe in yourself and your abilities, stay on your path, and pursue your goals.
“You also need to keep improving – that is also important as an engineer. So, be curious, embrace challenges, and be open to new ideas and technologies.
“I would also say you have to stay confident. That is getting easier, especially in the BIM field, as I feel women are getting more involved with BIM technologies and methodologies. I see a real difference as you can now see more women in this industry, and we are doing a really good job.”
What more can the industry do to inspire inclusion?
“We all need to get involved, particularly as women. We need to be more visible, so encouraging women to attend events, go to meetings, go into colleges to do workshops, and show women what it really means to be an engineer and the opportunities this career presents. We need to be role models.”
