This year, during Engineers Week’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, we are celebrating the outstanding women in engineering who are constantly breaking barriers in the industry and bringing their passion for problem-solving, design, and innovation to the forefront of engineering. Women in engineering are continuously evolving with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting engineering specialties, much like acoustical design. They are trailblazers who are empowering future generations of engineers and making an everlasting impact on the field.

We spent some time with acoustical designer Jennifer Epstein as she shared her unique journey to find the industry and her passion for acoustics.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR CURIOSITY ABOUT THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY?

“I first became familiar with acoustics because of my involvement in choir in high school. I remember our choir director noting if the space we were going to perform in was “live” or “dead.” Years later, I realized there was an actual job where someone designs these types of spaces. I felt this was perfect for me because it’s kind of the combination of two of my favorite subjects: music and math. I’m not only designing for music spaces, but I am designing for many different environments, such as commercial offices, education facilities, and mixed-use developments. Still, I’ve now realized architectural acoustics is important and should be taken into consideration in many different types of spaces.”

WHAT DOES BEING A WOMAN IN ENGINEERING MEAN TO YOU?

“Being in this industry is all about problem-solving and it is something that I do on a daily basis. Engineering is a fun way to use technical knowledge to solve different problems. As an acoustical designer, I often get to think outside the box when determining treatments that will make spaces sound great while also keeping in mind the aesthetic the architects have designed.”

WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ACOUSTICAL DESIGN?

“We’ve seen a focus on occupant comfort in the last few years, and I think that will continue. Not only do we want to make the built environment look aesthetically pleasing, but we want to make sure it sounds good as well! In acoustics specifically, we’re seeing many more options for acoustical treatments that fit many different aesthetics, so we’re able to achieve the goal of spaces that both look and sound good.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN ENGINEERS?

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Find someone in the industry and make those valuable connections. Above all else, continue to remind yourself that women belong in the engineering industry just as much as men do.”