Engineers: Rebels with A Cause

Often misunderstood and under-celebrated, engineers are the quiet rebels reshaping the world behind the scenes. From building the everyday to dreaming up the extraordinary, engineering is far more than bridges and blueprints—it’s the creative backbone of progress.

But public perception hasn’t always reflected that. For years, engineering has been seen as complex, male-dominated, and somewhat mysterious. Now, that narrative is shifting. Thanks to public engagement campaigns, diverse role models, and a growing demand for future-ready problem solvers, engineering is finally having its moment in the spotlight.

Ingenious Thinking: Defining the Heart of Engineering

Back in 2009, Engineers Australia ran a nationwide competition to define what engineering really means. The winning entry by Daniel Indyk distilled it brilliantly:

“Engineering is the discipline of using I(E)NGINUITY combined with the known laws of science to design and create devices and systems that improve the overall quality of life for humankind.”

This definition is more relevant than ever. Engineers today are developing everything from clean energy systems to medical devices, electric vehicles, and AI-driven infrastructure. They’re not just improving lives—they’re designing the future.

Explore engineering courses to find your own path into one of the most exciting and impactful fields in Australia.

Make It So: Turning Imagination Into Innovation

Engineers Australia’s past “Make It So” campaign invited the public to dream big—submit any idea, no matter how ambitious, and engineers would attempt to bring one of them to life. With nearly 7,000 submissions, it showed just how vital and inspiring the field of engineering can be when people understand its creative power.

“If you can dream it, an engineer can make it,” said Jamie Penrose, then Director of Communications at Engineers Australia. And that ethos still holds in 2025, as engineering continues to tackle grand challenges like climate change, digital inclusion, and space exploration.

Got a big idea of your own? It might just need an engineer to bring it to life.

Engineering Week: Celebrating Creativity, Curiosity, and Impact

Each year, Engineers Australia hosts events around the country to celebrate National Engineering Week. From tech expos and site tours to student challenges and keynote speeches by industry leaders, the week aims to showcase how engineering affects every aspect of life.

Past events have included everything from crash lab tours to bridge-building contests—and guest speakers like Dr Andy Thomas, Australia’s own NASA astronaut. This kind of visibility is helping a new generation see engineering not as obscure, but as exciting, collaborative, and full of opportunity.

Breaking Barriers: Women in Engineering

Historically underrepresented, women are now entering engineering in growing numbers. Universities and employers alike are working to close the gender gap through scholarships, mentoring, and flexible pathways.

One standout is Kelly Clarkson (not the singer), who studied a Bachelor of Automotive Engineering at RMIT and now works in vehicle safety development at Ford Australia. “I love that my work revolves around vehicles,” she says, “and when those cars hit the market, I can say I played a part in that.”

And yes—even Barbie® has gone engineering. In her 125th career iteration, Computer Engineer Barbie™ donned a binary-themed outfit and sparked conversations about STEM for girls globally. It’s symbolic of a broader shift: engineering is no longer “just for the boys.”

Explore engineering study options designed for all aspiring innovators—no matter your background.

Why Engineering Matters Now More Than Ever

Engineering gave us the internet, smartphones, clean water, and solar panels. And it’s leading us into the future—whether that’s decarbonising Australia, building smart cities, or creating sustainable transport solutions.

With a national skills shortage in engineering, and high demand across industries like infrastructure, health, mining, and renewables, there’s never been a better time to enter the field.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of designing a robot, creating the next big invention, or just making life better for others—maybe engineering is your calling.

Make your move today: Browse engineering courses and start building a future worth inventing.