Finding Her Frequency: RAN Engineer Chantelle Haywood on the Importance of Creativity and Passions Beyond Engineering & Building Confidence Through Experience

In this episode of the Take Your Seat podcast, we're sitting down with Chantelle Haywood, a graduate radio access network engineer at 2Degrees, NZ. We discuss Chantelle's journey into engineering, her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the importance of mentorship and community. Chantelle shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of authenticity in interviews, and her passion for advocating for women in STEM. The conversation highlights the need for diversity in engineering and the importance of pursuing one's passions both professionally and personally. Here's what's in your TAKEAWAY bag;The strongest interviews happen when you show up as yourself, not as a script. Mentorship accelerates both who you become and how far you go.Imposter syndrome is a shared experience, especially for women in technical spaces, and it softens with practice.Passion isn’t a luxury in engineering; it’s the fuel that sustains you through the hard parts.Your extracurriculars are not “extra”, they’re the proof of who you are beyond your grades.Advocating for women in STEM isn’t optional, it shapes the pathways for those who come next.Early in your career, absorb everything — be curious, be teachable, be open.If this episode resonated with you, Make sure to Like this episode and Follow the Take Your Seat Podcast for more;📸 Instagram: @takeyourseatpod🎧 Podcast: Take Your Seat💬 Join the conversation & share this episode with someone who needs it.Take Your Seat — where women’s stories spark possibility.-- CHAPTERS --00:00 — Meet Chantelle Haywood03:00 — What a Radio Network Engineer Actually Does05:59 — Moving from Uni into Industry09:02 — Seeing the Real‑World Impact of Engineering11:56 — Why Passion Matters in Technical Work15:02 — Relearning Creativity and Learning on the Job21:49 — Working Through Imposter Syndrome25:30 — Applying to a Internship & Graduate Roles 28:45 — Being Yourself in Interviews34:04 — Supporting Women in STEM42:50 — What's next for Chantelle46:55 — You belong in every room you're in.