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.

The civil engineering myth I’d like to bust

That civil engineering is only for those who love maths at school.

There are lots of routes into the industry, including for people who don’t want to study maths at A Level.

I’d recommend a career in civil engineering because

Engineers work in teams and solve real world problems! I’m a person who’s motivated by working with other people.

It’s great to come together with people with different expertise to deliver one collaborative design. It’s important to me that my job has a real-world impact.

Many civil engineering projects are for the benefit of the general public, directly or indirectly. There’s a real sense of motivation and achievement when you know a project is being delivered to benefit a local community.

What gets me out of bed every morning?

I’m motivated by working with other people and on projects for other people. It’s so encouraging when people from lots of different fields of expertise come together and collaborate on a project which will make a difference for the local community.

Education

I studied Maths, Computing, Physics and Latin at school and went on to study Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester.

During my studies, I gained experience working on the Crossrail project in London. I joined an international built environment consultancy when I graduated, where I worked in the transportation team on rail projects. After completing my graduate training, I moved to my current role at STEM Learning, where I feel I can have a wider impact on the civil engineering industry.

I’m currently completing a diploma with the Chartered Management Institute during my free time.

My hobbies

During a sabbatical, I spent six months volunteering overseas on government-funded projects.

In 2019, I was involved with the YMCA’s 175th year celebration including delivering a talk at the conference with thousands of young leaders from around the world!

I love being part of engineering committees, including the ICE’s Graduates and Students network.

I’ve met so many inspiring and proactive peers pushing for progress in safety, inclusion, professional development and more.

The most complex thing I've made out of Lego

When I first started volunteering as a STEM Ambassador, I taught female pupils to build and programme Lego Mindstorms robots!