My career inspiration
I was inspired by Crossrail where I completed summer work placements as a student. These exposed me to the variety of jobs available in transportation.
Before this, I wasn’t aware of the extent of civil engineering in infrastructure projects. I was based at Farringdon Station where there were large excavations for ticket halls, some tunnel boring machines coming to the end of their journeys and archaeologists uncovering Black Plague burial grounds!
What I love about being a civil engineer (that I didn’t know before I became one)
I’ve met so many proactive people who are really passionate about making improvements in the civil engineering industry, beyond their day jobs. They work to improve safety standards, diversity, wellbeing, policy and more.
I’d encourage all to get involved with the different Institution of Civil Engineers committees and panels to make change in whichever area they care most about. This industry is really made up by those in it and people treat it as more than just a job!
I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also
A volunteer. I took a sabbatical to volunteer overseas for six months on government-funded international development projects.
I supported a Zambian solar energy start-up and led a team of volunteers in Togo to improve economic opportunities for local young people.
After returning to the UK, I won the YMCA England and Wales Young Leader of the Year and the University of Manchester Award for Social Responsibility as Volunteer Alumni of the Year 2019. I’m still engaged with the charities to promote “active citizenship” and sit on a charity’s advisory panel.
The project (past or present) I wish I’d worked on
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
There are three sky-scraping towers that make up a hotel with a huge roof structure connecting them all. The roof has the world’s longest public cantilever, a park and a sky-high infinity pool. It’s an iconic structure and helped put Singapore on the world stage.