‘The biggest thing is to have confidence in yourself’

My route into civil engineering, and eventually to ICE Fellowship, was unusual.

I’d worked in contracts management for a local authority, then had the opportunity to do a higher national certificate (HNC) and went on a short-term secondment to an engineering project.

When that finished, the only opportunity was back in contracts management but, by then, I’d decided I wanted to be a civil engineer.

I’ve been at Costain for 17 years. For the first 10 I was working in highways, but I’ve since worked in water, rail and consulting.

Currently I’m working within rail consultancy, mainly with Network Rail.

Supported and encouraged

I’ve flourished here at Costain. From the beginning, I was supported and encouraged.

I have worked on some major projects, including a large dual-carriageway project and the demobilisation (removing resources and personnel from sites) and fit-out of a new HQ for HS2.

Rachel, my boss, introduced me to the ICE and we looked at getting me chartered or incorporated but I didn’t fit the criteria, being older and not having the relevant degree.

We then looked at going down the Engineering Technician (EngTech) route and that really opened doors for me.

It was Rachel who pushed me to go for ICE Fellowship, saying that I was good enough and deserved it.

I had my doubts about Fellowship

I had my doubts as I thought it was only for the high-flyers who’d been in civil engineering from the start and had 30-40 years’ experience.

I didn’t think it was something I could achieve.

The final decider was getting in touch with my ICE regional director. She echoed Rachel’s encouragement.

Hearing a second person tell me that I shouldn’t give it a second thought, that I shouldn’t doubt myself, and that I had the right levels of experience really made the difference.

Breaking things down

When I first looked at the attributes for ICE Fellowship, my initial impression was that I didn’t fit any of them.

I felt that it was only for very experienced or very technical people.

Talking to the ICE regional director made me realise that I didn’t need to meet each and every attribute – I only needed to meet one or two.

She helped to break things down and I started to download everything in my head.

Taking my time with the application

I didn’t find completing the application easy. Not because the process is difficult, but I found it difficult to talk about my achievements as I tend to think in terms of a team.

The hardest part was being succinct.

It’s important to get sponsors who know you – and what you can do – well. I was lucky in that respect.

I spent time talking with them about what to include and what to leave out. Even so, I still took my time.

The important thing to remember was that the panel assessing your application have to think that you meet each of your chosen attributes.

Proving my doubts wrong

I’d doubted that I’d be good enough to be an ICE Fellow, but then I’d also doubted that I’d be good enough to pass my EngTech review.

It was only when going through the application process stage by stage that I suddenly thought wow, I’m really quite experienced.

I would encourage others not to doubt themselves. When applying, get the right sponsors behind you. The biggest thing is to have confidence in yourself.

To most people, I come across as confident. It’s not always how I’ve seen myself but becoming an ICE Fellow has improved my self-belief.

What Fellowship has meant to me

I’ve moved around in so many different roles and sectors and an ICE Fellowship is an accolade, if you like.

I don’t have to stand in front of people and say, look at what I’ve done – it’s just there. I’m an ICE Fellow.

It gave me confidence to go for a senior project management role, this time in asset protection on the HS2 project.

It’s not something I would have applied for before but since becoming an ICE Fellow, I knew I could do it.

Be confident in your experience

I’m now a different Jayne – a mix of being older, wiser and less intimidated by things.

I wish I’d done what I’ve done years ago.

When I first met my husband, who’s been successful in his own career, I didn’t have any aspirations beyond going to work, earning a salary, getting married and maybe having a family one day.

I never saw myself as becoming another breadwinner.

To those thinking about applying, I’d say look at what you’ve done and be confident that you’re experienced enough.

Don’t think for one moment that you’re not good enough – if you’ve got to a stage in your career where someone’s suggesting that you should go for it, don’t doubt it.

Find out more about becoming an ICE Fellow