Meet Eileen Spencer, Tractebel Project Engineer for Transport Infrastructure in Chile

Can you explain, in a few words, your job as an engineer in Urban?

I’m the project coordinator for a very motivating project on building an electric transport system in the city of Santiago, in Chile. My job consists of coordinating the different disciplines involved in the project and producing the deliverables, while ensuring consistency and quality. More than being an expert in a specific area, I’m the interface between the various disciplines, ensuring the client’s compliance requirements and expectations, within the schedule and budget framework.

What are the skills of an expert in transport infrastructure projects?

Besides the interpersonal skills, you need to multitask, and also understand the needs of the city.
You must be organized and always plan the next steps, and be able to work under pressure without compromising the quality of the deliverables.

What are some of the challenges you encounter in these kinds of projects? What was the biggest challenge and how did you resolve it?

The big challenge is to collect and analyze all the relevant information around the project’s area of interest, such as pre-existing infrastructure, services, other future projects, local regulations, the opinion and interests of the government, citizens and local administrations… and this also evolves over time, so it is very important to have good communication with all participating entities, because the project may undergo big changes depending on any variation of these factors.

What is the most satisfying part of a project or your job in general, and why you enjoy it?

For me, the human relationships are the most important. When we get to know our clients, contractors and colleagues, and grow to trust each other, the workflow is much easier.
It is also very satisfying when we see the results of our work when it has a positive impact on people’s quality of life. That gives all the meaning to our work.

We see a growing trend of female talents pursuing careers in engineering. What are your views on women in engineering?

I’m very proud of women entering typically “male” careers, because each time it means another female role model for young girls, someone to show them that there is a place for them in any kind of field. It’s crazy that nowadays we still have so many differences between genders regarding the opportunities we have or the challenges we face day-to-day, but at the same time, we are living in a very important era where these differences are becoming visible, and society is taking action to fix them. There is a long way to go though.

What would you share with them about your career experience?

I would like women to know that it is only ourselves who set the limits, and nobody else. So it is possible to be wherever you want to be, and make any of your dreams a reality. However, we don’t have to push ourselves to be “wonder woman” - I think sometimes many of us are too demanding of ourselves both in our personal and professional lives, and feel that we have to make huge efforts to demonstrate our capabilities. So yes, we can achieve what we want, but it is also important to listen to yourself and respect your own time and needs.

What would you say to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering?

Engineering is a versatile career with a huge range of fields. I would tell everyone, not only women, that we need more capable and creative minds to come join us in building a sustainable world. It is our home that is at risk, so the more brilliant and motivated minds, the better.