Industrial Chemist… Environmental Engineer… Occupational Hygienist... Educator…
If these were the key plot points in your unfolding story, where would you go next? As a woman who has successfully made her way in the male-dominated fields of science and engineering, for Dr Glenys Goricane, the next chapter was clear: PhD research studies, and a thesis entitled Professional Engineers in Australia: A Case Study of Participation and Retention of Female Engineering Students and Alumni of Monash University.
Here Glenys, past Wesley parent, shares her story…
Reflecting on my professional pathway, I’ve been fortunate to have been employed in a variety of stimulating and interesting workplaces, and from these experiences have grown as an individual. Originally, my academic pathway commenced with a Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry, then as an industrial chemist I worked as a research assistant in university-based research, a research and development cosmetic chemist at Nicholas Pharmaceuticals, and a forensic drug scientist in the Victorian Forensic Science Laboratories.
As my career progressed in the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) area, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Hygiene and then a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering. My work as an Environmental Engineer and Occupational Hygienist has spanned across multinational corporations and the government, with organisations such as Telstra Corporation, Monash University, C.S.I.R.O., Boral Ltd, and La Trobe University.
Later in my working career, I developed an interest in teaching and wanted to pursue research studies in education, so I undertook a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) degree. As an educator, at the masters and undergraduate degree level I’ve lectured and coordinated OHS courses at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and RMIT University.
All the academic and workplace experiences encountered aroused my personal and professional interest to undertake PhD research studies. Foremost among these experiences was the under-representation of women in engineering in Australia, and around the western world that continues to be a problem. To address this gender issue, my study adopted a unique research approach to better understand the decision-making processes explaining women engineers’ course and career choices.
My study revealed four key areas that contribute new knowledge towards formulating strategies for improving the under-representation of women in engineering studies and the profession: ethnic and cultural inclusion, course structure, group work, and the positive influence of gender stereotyping of engineering.
In October last year, Glenys was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from Monash University.
As a past parent and now members of our Sapere Aude Bequest Society, Glenys and Stanley are making a bequest to the Wesley College Foundation.
‘Both of my daughters, Amanda (OW2003) and Alicia (OW2007), attended Wesley College from the preparatory to senior level,’ she said. ‘As a family, we have been involved with Wesley over many years and have seen Amanda and Alicia develop, grow and benefit from the holistic approach to education provided by Wesley. Through our bequest, we are supporting the ongoing contribution that Wesley is making to the lives of future Wesley students. This contribution can be shown in a number of different ways, such as through scholarships for talented students who are financially unable to attend the College or by improved classroom learning environments.’
We are incredibly grateful for the bequest granted to the College by Glenys and Stanley Goricane. Their investment in the future of Wesley College will contribute to educational opportunities, and scholarships in particular, for the next generation of Wesley students, ensuring they become thoughtful, engaged and contributing citizens of the world.
Leaving a bequest
If you are considering supporting the Wesley College Foundation with a bequest - the gift of an education - we would be pleased to discuss how your gift can make a difference. All details of your bequest will be held in the strictest confidence.
