How do you imagine a jet engineer? Perhaps, it is a bearded man with glasses or a smart young man who has just graduated from a university. Christina Pearson-Rampeearee from Liverpool shatters all stereotypes. This fragile, cheerful and pleasant woman, who has already become a mother, works with the defence giant BAE Systems, has started her own business and donates to the Women’s Engineering Society. Learn more at liverpool-future.com.
Who is Christina Pearson-Rampeearee?
Christina is a certified engineer and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) ambassador. She began working as a senior flight systems engineer at BAE Systems at a young age. Having been inspired by an air show at school, she decided to study aerospace systems engineering at university, becoming the first engineer in her family.
Interestingly, Christina Pearson-Rampeearee started her own business, AviateHer, during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. (Read how Liverpool brewers survived that time here). Her business is selling accessories that promote diversity in engineering. Later, the company expanded its range of products. Part of Christina’s income is donated to charities with a similar value system.
The engineer says that she always liked solving maths and physics problems at school. At first, she planned to study mechanical engineering, but then something changed Christina’s priorities. It was an air show in Devon that she had visited with her parents. The fast jet planes influenced the girl’s goals and she realised that the aerospace industry was just for her! Their sound caught her attention and made her decide on a profession for good.
She obtained a master’s degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the University of the West of England. Since then Christina has worked as a Flight Systems Engineer at BAE Systems. She is researching various technologies that could be used on the next-generation jet aircraft.
Christina about her profession
This profession involves a lot of research, studying different technologies and working with a team of engineers, aerodynamicists and designers. The talented engineer from Liverpool believes that the most interesting thing is to work with new technologies.
Few people have the right idea of what an engineer’s job looks like. Some believe that this is dirty “fieldwork” in overalls. However, Christina claims it is not true. Engineers are everywhere and first of all, their task is to develop creative solutions to problems as well as to turn ideas into reality.
Recalling the time of her studies and the beginning of her career, the developer says that there was a lack of women in the industry. That’s why she passionately encourages girls to consider this sphere and ardently campaigns to get rid of gender stereotypes. Actually, Christina’s business helps her with it. Since the opening of the online store, many people wrote to her that she “does not look like a scientist”. Misleading stereotypes have to be destroyed because they repel budding scientists.
Views and statements of the developer
Sometimes, Christina Pearson-Rampeearee shares her goals, values and views, as well as shares her past and plans for the future. Here are some interesting points.
She was one of only two girls in the course of a discipline, which was considered male. Nevertheless, she felt accepted, as she was part of the team. However, Christina experienced gender bias before and after her studies.
Christina Pearson-Rampeearee considers it appropriate and important to encourage women in engineering. There is a shortage of such specialists in the UK. The industry needs a diverse workforce, people with different types of thinking for faster implementation of innovations which are an inseparable part of engineering.
According to Christina, gender stereotypes are a big challenge. It starts in childhood when we buy blue clothes with cars for boys. Girls don’t feel confident in natural and exact sciences. They fear that if they study STEM subjects, they will be in the minority.
The developer from Liverpool has the following idea of how to solve the issue. She believes we should show young girls how engineering is used in everyday products. Thus, they would be more likely to develop a career in technology.
Even though the situation with gender stereotypes is still difficult, Christina is optimistic about the future. Gender balance in engineering requires more cases of women achieving success and setting examples in the field.
Christina enthusiastically speaks about her role and position. She encourages girls to consider careers in STEM and not to be afraid of being in the minority. She is proud to have the opportunity to work for a company like BAE Systems. When she decided to link her life with space engineering, she never imagined that she would have the opportunity to work on the next generation of future combat equipment. At the same time, Christina works part-time to pay attention to her little son.
“I would love to expand AviateHer into a bigger platform one day but I also love my job with aspirations for my career, therefore I will continue to balance both and see what the future holds,” says Christina Pearson-Rampeearee, who has done a lot to drive innovation in Liverpool.