Kara Manley, Engineer

Kara grew up as part of a big family in rural Co. Mayo. After her third-level studies at University College Dublin, she went travelling to Australia, got a job in an engineering office and didn't come home for ten years. While there, Kara worked as Project Manager on railroad contracts, which in turn led to her work in engineering. When her first child was turning four, she wanted him to go to school in Ireland, so she came back home. It was also important to her to be closer to family. 

Though Kara loves her challenging and interesting career, working in such a traditionally male environment isn’t always easy. Only recently she had a workplace visitor request that she make his coffee ‘like a good girl’. For Kara, the only answer is to rise above it and work that bit harder. In her job, she says, she has to be a tough cookie so she doesn’t get walked over, but at home, with her kids, she’s a big softie. 

My greatest achievement in life is my family. Having kids is probably the toughest battle I’ve faced, but everything I do is for them.

Photo: Beta Bajgart