For Dione McMaster, becoming a project manager in hard services was a path shaped by opportunity, curiosity, and determination. As we mark International Women in Engineering Day 2025, Dione’s story is a powerful reminder that engineering is for everyone and that teamwork truly makes the difference.
“I didn’t always know I wanted to get into engineering,” Dione admits. “At school, I wasn’t academic and had no clue what I wanted to do. But when a scholarship programme offered the chance to try electrical engineering, I thought — that’s something different.”
That decision set the foundation for Dione’s career. She completed an apprenticeship, worked across various sectors, including commercial maintenance and industrial housing, and steadily progressed into management. Now a project manager with OCS (following its acquisition of FES), Dione reflects on what’s driven her: “I was eager, willing to learn, and willing to take a chance on myself.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence
Hard services is still a male-dominated space, and Dione acknowledges that standing out as one of the few women came with challenges. “When I started, I was introverted. It took time to build confidence, especially when people made comments like, ‘That’s a man’s job.’ But rather than knock me back, it motivated me. I wanted to prove I could do it just as well as anyone else.”
Today, Dione sees her gender as a strength. “Being a woman has been one of my biggest assets — it’s given me that drive to prove myself, not to others, but to meet my own expectations.”
Together We Engineer
This year’s International Women in Engineering Day theme, Together We Engineer, resonates deeply with Dione. “You can’t do this job alone. Engineering and construction are about teamwork. Working together gets things done, and that culture of inclusivity makes the difference.”
Dione hopes to see more women stepping into engineering roles at all levels. “It’s already changing, slowly. You see another woman on site, and there’s that instant recognition: ‘That’s unusual.’ I’d love it to be so normal we don’t look twice.”
Advice to the Next Generation
For young women considering a career in engineering, Dione’s advice is simple: “Go for it. Take a chance on yourself. Whether you choose an apprenticeship, college or university, engineering opens doors. It’s practical, it’s rewarding, and it gives you skills you can take anywhere in the world.”
Her proudest achievement? Becoming one of the first female project managers in her division at a young age. But for Dione, every project brings pride. “Seeing something through from start to finish, knowing what you’ve delivered, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
Changing Perceptions
If she could shift one perception about women in engineering? Dione’s answer comes with a smile: “That we’re just as good as the men — if not better!”
