Meet Bridine Dias
Engineering/Science day at the Ontario Science Centre
Bridine Dias graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering, a degree in Biomedical Engineering, from Ryerson University. She currently works as a Test Engineer at Lockheed Martin. In her spare time, Bridine likes to Volunteer for Nova Scotia Engineers' Women in Engineering Subcommittee, painting and hiking.
When did your love of STEM begin?
My love of STEM began in high school, I always knew I loved math and science but never thought Engineering was an option for me. I didn't know any engineers or what it entailed. After I accepted a University offer for a Bachelor of Science, I went back and accepted another one to a Bachelor of Engineering. I am so glad I made that decision because now I can advocate for careers in STEM and STEM Education. In University I joined the Women In Engineering Chapter, where we held industry events and networking nights to encourage younger students to pursue education in STEM. When I started working as an engineering consultant for Amaris, I became their Campus Manager and networked with students helping them with the job market and their resumes. I then got a job with Alstom Transport as a Test Engineer, where I joined the Women of Excellence program, which was a leadership development track to increase women in senior leadership and executive positions. During that time I because their Toronto Site Lead where I organized events for the women in our 2 Toronto offices, which included lunch and learns. Now, working as a Test Engineer in Lockheed, I became the STEM Site Lead for our Atlantic Canada division. We host multiple STEM and outreach events a year for elementary to university aged students. These events include robotic competitions, Summer camp sessions, and coding competitions. I also act as a Lockheed Martin Representative for various university networking events. This month I represented Lockheed at Carleton University's Engineering and Design Industry Night, where I made connections with university students and answered any questions they had. Additionally, I am a member of WiDS - Women in Defense and Security. I truly enjoy advocating for STEM and encouraging other women and empowering them.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
The best part is realizing how much you can make an impact and how you can do things you never even thought were possible. I had no idea what engineering entailed and now I love every aspect of it: Collaborating on large projects, working with a diverse group of backgrounds, encouraging other young women and working together to achieve a goal.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
You can do anything! Don't be afraid, just because you have not done something before, does not mean you are not able to do it. Everything requires a learning curve!