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3/14/24, 12:47 PM International Women’s Day Q&A: Heather Butler | World Pipelines
International Women’s Day Q&A: Heather
Butler
Published by Isabel Stagg, Editorial Assistant Save to read list
World Pipelines, Friday, 08 March 2024 11:00
World Pipelines talks to Heather Butler, Service Line Manger – Geophysics, Fugro, about her
experience as a woman on the front line in the engineering industry, discussing interesting
projects, challenges and advice for other women.
Question: Could you tell me a bit about your current job role and career? Why did you
choose to become an engineer and what has been your experience of being a woman within
this field so far?
Answer: My current job is managing the land and shallow marine geophysics in the Middle East. My role is very
diverse as I look after the department's business and technical side. My favourite part is developing new
solutions with my team, to some of the more exciting challenges our clients face.
I started in my field because I loved science and how it was used to solve practical problems. Using physics
and maths to translate the ground into tangible and useful information has always been a thrill. My experience
as a woman in the field has been mainly positive. I have worked in many different countries with different
cultures related to gender expectations. I have also worked onshore and offshore. At all times, I have been in
the minority. However, almost all the people I worked with were welcoming and interested in getting the job
done. I have made a lot of good friends and have a large fund of stories I can bore my non-engineering friends
and family.
Q: What are some of the challenges facing women in the engineering industry?
A: I think one of the biggest issues facing women in the engineering industry is people’s perception of what an
engineer looks like. While I have seen more women coming into engineering, the numbers are still small, and
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