BMD interview series for International Women's Day - Joanna Lay

Joanna Ly, Project Engineer, SHARES HER STORY FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

I AM…

I am a Project Engineer in Melbourne, doing my part to deliver major roads across Victoria. I was born in Auckland but grew up in Melbourne, where I did all my schooling and university.

My parents escaped the Cambodian Civil War and were granted asylum in New Zealand in the 80s. They relocated to Australia in the early 90s. They worked hard as labourers to provide for me and my brother, creating a life in Australia far away from their own families and culture. They instilled in us their strong work ethic and humility, along with their perseverance.

I originally intended to study law, but at the encouragement of my Year 12 Biology and Physics teachers, I changed my preference to engineering at the last minute. I was part of a 10% female engineering cohort in my first year of university.

As an engineer I approach my work with the mindset that no one person can build a job – we need to work together and enable one another to deliver a successful project.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BREAK THE BIAS?

Breaking the bias allows others an equal chance to succeed and allows us all to determine our lives and career based on merit, not on gender, race, religion etc. Breaking the bias is important as the world becomes more connected. Having diversity in people creates a richer workplace and world to be in and allows for issues to be tackled from different approaches.

If we can actively break the bias, the unconscious bias can also be re-trained in this generation. This would mean hopefully in my children’s time and future generations, no such bias would exist.

HOW DO YOU COMMIT TO HELPING BREAK THE BIAS?

By being inclusive and encouraging others to take on a more open view of a situation, regardless how trivial or small one might think. I respect my own strengths and weaknesses so that I can complement others in my team and I’m not being afraid of being myself.

WHY DO YOU SEE A LONG TERM CAREER AT BMD?

I enjoy the comradery and the variety of people I get to meet every day. I feel very supported by the team on all fronts – graduates, foremen to senior managers. It is a very exciting time to be in BMD as its brand, reputation, and capability to deliver projects grows here in Victoria. I am eager to be part of this and to contribute, not only as an engineer, but as a person who is part of building culture, inclusiveness, and diversity within the team.

International Women’s Day is held on March 8. It recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The IWD 2022 theme, Break the Bias, envisages a world free of bias where difference is valued and celebrated.