Arlene McConnell’s ambassadorial duties began with the role of panellist for the annual IET Present Around The World competition, providing entrants with the opportunity to present on an engineering or technology related topic.

Then in February of this year Arlene took part in an industry-related discussion at the Scottish Parliament. She also contributed to national discussions on engineering when, in June, she went to Westminster to contribute to the Smith Institute’s report: Unlocking Potential – Perspectives on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology. She said: “Even some of the things which I thought might be more terrifying than enjoyable like being the IET's representative on the panel for the Smith report at Westminster, I ultimately found exhilarating, because at the end of the day it gave me the chance to really get involved with the issues surrounding women in engineering and contribute to a report aimed at making changes at government level.”

Throughout the year Arlene also visited many schools, sharing her passion for engineering and technology with the potential engineers of tomorrow. Asked what her most enjoyable engagements of the past year have been, she added: “I have enjoyed all of the things but I loved the Bury St Edmunds Engineering Experience; it was great fun because I got to work with the kids on cool engineering projects like making speakers and vehicles.”

Arlene also went into universities to talk to engineering societies and at graduate fairs, including a talk she gave at Glasgow University on systems engineering.

She was also selected as one of the very first members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s new Young Academy of Scotland, launched in autumn 2011.

Arlene has excelled throughout her year as the Young Woman Engineer and has consistently impressed those with whom she has spoken, whether it was with IET member groups, the media, national and regional policy makers, or students of all ages.