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 Mark Baker is currently studying for a MEng in civil engineering at Loughborough University. He has just completed his first year and is heading into his second year in September 2009.
So Mark, what attracted you to civil engineering?
The idea of having a tangible, and often impressive, finished article as the result of a huge project and being able to say, Hey, I helped design that! was a big draw to the profession. I guess I´ve always liked the idea of engineering being the practical application of subjects I´ve spent years studying at school too.
Can we ask why did you become a student member of the ICE?
I wanted to gain access to the support the Institution offers and to keep up to date with what was going on in the civil engineering community.
That´s great! How actively involved are you with the ICE?
I´m an undergraduate QUEST scholar for the ICE but I also want to get involved in the Ambassador´s to schools programme. There are so many opportunities out there for young people who are interested in civil engineering. I was lucky enough when I was younger to manage to stumble onto a few of them. Despite that I still wish I had someone telling me they existed and how to get involved with them. I´m hoping to use this opportunity to give something back.
Do you feel being a member of the ICE has given you any benefits?
As well as the obvious benefits of giving me access to a wealth of resources, I think there are also the members being in a community who are willing to offer help to each other. You don´t find that kind of support everywhere!
So any ideas what you want to do when you graduate?
Ideally I´d like to take a bit of time out to travel I´m interested in perhaps doing a short placement with Engineers Without Borders. This is a decision I would make with the support of my partner company, Buro Happold.
What are your aspirations for the future?
In terms of my personal life, I´d love to travel around East Asia I have a huge interest in the culture there. In terms of my career, I´d like to get started on my professional development as soon as possible after graduating, hopefully become a chartered engineer with the ICE. The idea of gaining a position of responsibility is a big drive.
Do you have any other interest apart from being a budding civil engineer?
In my spare time, I have a huge love for martial arts, particularly Hung Kuen Shaolin Kung Fu and Wing Chun. I´m also a keen guitarist.
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 Claire Rose is currently studying her MEng Civil Engineering (Hons) at Nottingham University. In September Claire will be starting her third year.
What do you think first attracted you to civil engineering?
I thrive for a challenge and was attracted to civil engineering because of the vast variety of areas of study being offered each year. It can be from structures to hydraulics and even highway engineering. If you struggle to get to grips with a subject there is enough choice to have the opportunity to enjoy something else which is on offer.
So what made you become a student member of the ICE?
I joined the ICE in my first year on the recommendation of my lecturer and tutor at the time. They outlined the advantages of becoming a ICE student member and what it can give you including the comprehensive library at One Great George Street, as well as evening meetings in the region which are often held at the local Universities.
Are you involved with the ICE?
Since joining as a student member, I have also become an ICE student liaison officer for my region, East Midlands. As I got more involved with my local graduate and student committee, I volunteered for the regional GSNet post. Since holding this post I have attended several meetings on behalf of my region and I also got to visit other institutions such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Have you ever used the library or the Ask Brunel! service that the ICE provide?
I had the opportunity to use the library last year at One Great George Street to research my second year dissertation on nuclear waste disposal. It was really useful as the library has some of the most up to date books, as well as historical documents. My university also has a subscription to the ICE virtual library so I also was able to use the documents available on that to help support my dissertation.
What do you feel being a member of the ICE has given you?
Being a student member of the ICE so far has been a great experience. The ICE really does do a lot for its members, which is reflected by the wide range of events held in each region. Lecturers always go on about keeping up to date with engineering developments, and the regular regional events and updates from New Civil Engineer help me to achieve this.
What are your plans after graduation?
At the moment I am very interested in working in something to do with energy, particularly in nuclear when I graduate. I believe that it is a very important and pressing matter which needs to be addressed in the very near future and I would like to be part of this!
What are your aspirations for the future?
I am currently on a summer placement at the engineering consultancy, Atkins. This is my third time working for the company. I have been fortunate enough to be able to move around and get experience working for different business areas including within Highways and Transportation and now I am working within Energy. I hope when I graduate to continue working in a field like Energy within a large company such as Atkins.
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 Daniel Chan is currently studying Civil Engineering (Law) which is classed as a double degree at the University of Hong Kong. He is currently a second year student.
Daniel, what attracted you to civil engineering?
I´m really attracted to infrastructures. The feelings of engaging in construction of infrastructures, contributing to different projects and seeing that the contributions are useful for the public are wonderful. Besides that, I am interested in physics and mathematics and I would like to apply them into our daily life. Civil engineering is the best way for me to apply my interest into my daily life. It is no doubt that civil engineering is the best choice to be my lifelong career and I am determined to contribute to the community as a civil engineer.
Why did you want to become a student member of the ICE?
ICE is a famous institution for civil engineering in the world. ICE provides its members with a lot of news and activities on civil engineering. It is a wonderful way to keep updated with the development of civil engineering in the world through ICE.
Are you actively involved with the ICE in Hong Kong?
I have participated in lots of ICE activities. I have attended a site visit and career talk held by ICE Hong Kong Association (HKA) G&S Division. Other than being a student member of ICE, I am also the student representative of ICE HKA G&S. I have joined the Graduate and Student committee and organised activities for the other students. I have also help at a number of CPD seminars.
Apart from the above, it has been an honour for me to be involved in the Annual Dinner of ICE HKA, the AGM of ICE HKA as well as the AGM of ICE HKA G&S. Those experiences are really memorable and valuable.
Do you feel being a member of the ICE has given you benefits?
Being a member of ICE, it has helped me to keep abreast of the development of civil engineering in the world. It also gives me the opportunity to participate in a lot of great events where it had helped me to broaden my horizon. These experiences will help me to prepare me for my future career as a civil engineer.
Any idea what you want to do when you graduate?
I am certain that I would become a civil engineer when I graduate. I am interested to become a graduated engineer either in a consultant or a contractor. Aside from work, I will continue to take part in the ICE HKAG&S as a committee member which will help to enriching my experience and contributing to the industry of civil engineering.
So what are your aspirations for the future?
Currently, the Earth is very polluted. I would like to use my skills to build an environmental friendly community and at the same time, improving the human being quality of life. | 
