Q&A: Working to Inspire Women and Girls into STEM

Who are you, what is your job role and what do you do?

I’m Becky Ridler, a Systems Engineer at Synoptix, where I specialise in tackling complex engineering challenges and supporting apprentices within the company to gain the most out of their apprenticeships and professional development. I’m also working towards achieving Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.

Outside of my technical role, I’m the founder of Not Just Girls, a platform dedicated to encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). I’m passionate about breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent in engineering.

Can you tell us about any current projects that you’re working on? 

At Synoptix, I’m currently working on a project involving verification of information. Alongside my technical work, I focus on mentoring and guiding our apprentices to ensure they get the most out of their training and professional development.

In addition to my technical work, I’m continuing to grow Not Just Girls as a hub for promoting careers in STEAM. This year, I’m particularly interested in collaborating with companies to create impactful workshops and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in engineering.

What was your career path and how did it lead you to where you are now?

My career began with a Digital and Technical Solutions degree apprenticeship, specialising in cyber. I chose an apprenticeship over university because I wanted to gain hands-on experience alongside my studies, and it was the perfect choice for me. During my apprenticeship, I developed skills in network security, cyber threat analysis, and systems engineering—the latter of which is now the focus of my career.

After completing my apprenticeship, I progressed into systems engineering, where I’ve had the chance for work on a variety of exciting and challenging projects. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for all aspects of my work - whether that’s engineering, outreach or promoting apprenticeships. These experiences have inspired to me further advocate for apprenticeships into engineering and diversity through Not Just Girls.

What do you enjoy most about your current role and company?

At Synoptix, I enjoy the variety and complexity of the work. Every project brings new challenges and opportunities to grow, and the company’s support for professional development, including my journey towards IEng status, has been invaluable.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is supporting apprentices within the company. Helping them maximise their learning and professional growth is something I’m deeply passionate about.

With Not Just Girls, I love seeing the positive impact of outreach work. Whether it’s inspiring a young person to pursue engineering or helping a company improve its diversity initiatives, it’s incredibly fulfilling to contribute to meaningful change.

What would be your main piece of advice to students looking to pursue a career in engineering?

Don’t be afraid to take a non-traditional route into engineering. Apprenticeships offer an amazing opportunity to gain real-world experience, earn qualifications, and build your career from day one. They’re an excellent alternative to university and have given me the foundation for everything I’ve achieved so far, but make sure it’s the right lifestyle choice for you first! Don’t just follow what everyone else says.

My advice would be to embrace every opportunity, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. Seek out mentors, build a strong network, and remember that engineering is for anyone with a passion for solving problems and making a difference. Most importantly, remind yourself: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Be the role model you needed when you were starting out, and you’ll inspire others while building a fulfilling career.

Becky Ridler, Systems Engineer at Synoptix and founder of Not Just Girls. 

The Student Engineer is a special channel of The Engineer aimed at educating and inspiring engineering undergraduates about the career opportunities in engineering and also offering practical advice on how they can access these opportunities. 

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