Welcome back to the WorkJoy Jam, the podcast where we explore the joy, challenges, and the unexpected adventures of the modern workplace. I'm your host, Beth Stallwood, and in this episode I’m joined by Lauren Neal - a trailblazer who wears multiple hats as a chartered engineer, project professional, and author. 

With a career that began amidst the Lego bricks of her childhood and propelled her into the male-dominated world of engineering, Lauren has faced and overcome discrimination while forging a path to inclusion in STEM fields.

In this episode, we get an insight into Lauren's journey of defying gender stereotypes, advocating for inclusivity, and finding support in unlikely places. We’ll hear about her transition from a subsea engineer to a project manager, and how organic career growth can arise from refusing to be pigeonholed.

Lauren shares her experience of working in unusual environments, the importance of holding fast to your potential, and why creating supportive workplace cultures is crucial for everyone. We'll uncover the psychology behind open-mindedness, the power of advocating for others, and the ripple effect of joy it brings into the workplace.

She also discusses her book "Valued at Work," intended not just for women in STEM but also for men, aiming to foster understanding and change. 

Grab your drink, settle in, and let’s learn how we can all contribute to making our workplaces spaces of value, recognition, and of course, WorkJoy. Let's get started.

Connect with Lauren

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenneal/

Instagram: @lvneal