As we mark Chartered Week 2025, we’re excited to share an inspiring story from Jo Parker MBE CEng FIWater, Vice President Engineering at the Institute of Water.
Jo reflects on her journey to becoming a Chartered Engineer, from facing early doubts and industry barriers to breaking new ground in the water sector.
In the 1970s, engineering was still seen by many as a male-dominated profession, and she was told outright that some companies wouldn’t employ women engineers. But she didn’t let that stop her. From designing and overseeing major water projects to paving the way for future generations, Jo’s career is a testament to resilience, passion, and breaking down barriers.
Jo’s story is a reminder that Chartership isn’t just about recognition—it’s about perseverance, credibility, and shaping the future of our industry.
“I shall always remember the day I heard that I had passed my professional review and was a chartered engineer. It was just before Christmas, and I knew that the decisions would have been made and posted in the Institution of Civil Engineers. A friend had promised to check the list and would phone me if I was on it. No phone call. I drove to my boyfriend’s house with a heavy heart. He was already a chartered civil engineer so knew how much it meant to me. I braced myself to phone my parents. My father answered the phone and the first thing he said was ‘Congratulations.’ I don’t think I’ve passed’ I said glumly. Then my father told me the great news – he’d gone to the Institution’s headquarters that day and seen my name on the list. I was a Chartered Engineer. It was the best Christmas Present I could have.
It was the culmination of a journey which started in my teens when I thought about architecture but wasn’t sure it would use my aptitude for mathematics sufficiently. When I learned about civil engineering I decided there and then that was what I’d like to do. I asked a local civil engineering company if I could have a holiday job with them. They offered me a job in their new data processing department for the summer, but said they would not employ me if I became qualified – they didn’t employ women engineers!
My maths teacher, who had qualified as an electrical engineer was sceptical that I’d get a place at university, but I proved her wrong. She was also sceptical that I’d get a job afterwards, but I was offered several jobs and chose one in the design office of Thames Water in Oxford – the first woman engineer to work for Thames Water Authority which had only be formed the year before. There I was given a design project to work on – a tertiary treatment plant for Abingdon Sewage Treatment Plant. I then went out on site to supervise the construction of my design – a very steep learning curve and a culture shock for the contractor as well as myself but so exciting to see my designs take shape. I submitted the design and contract documents for my professional review.
The review itself was rather daunting – sitting in the ICE building waiting for my name to be called, then winding my way past a hall full of interviewees and their interviewers separated by screens to meet my two assessors. This was followed by a written exam in the afternoon.
Although the journey to Chartership was not always straightforward for me, and in the 1970s there were many who thought that engineering was no career for a woman and were happy to tell me that. However, I stuck to my goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer. Since that time, I have always been proud of my achievement and loved my work as an engineer in the water industry.”
