Áine McCaffrey

We asked Áine…

I would recommend an apprenticeship in civil engineering because…

The experience I gain from working onsite is invaluable. It gives me a real understanding of how projects come together and allows me to apply what I learn in a practical setting.

The support from colleagues and senior engineers is incredibly helpful. They’re always willing to share their knowledge, answer questions, and guide me as I develop my skills.

It creates a really encouraging environment to learn and grow in my career.

What is it about being a civil engineer apprentice that gets you out of bed each morning?

I love knowing that every day I’m learning something new and contributing to projects that make a difference to people’s lives.

Being onsite gives me a sense of purpose. I can see the progress, ask questions, and understand how the work I do fits into the bigger picture.

The support from experienced engineers and colleagues motivates me too, because I’m constantly building my skills and confidence with their guidance.

Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.

That civil engineers just follow standards and don’t need creativity.

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

I would've loved to be involved in the Samuel Beckett Bridge project in Dublin.

I may be a bit biased because I studied it during my foundation degree, but I think it’s an incredible piece of engineering and genuinely beautiful. 

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

That civil engineering is literally everywhere and part of everything we do.

Once you’re involved in the profession, you start to notice that every road, bridge, building, drainage system, and even the utilities we rely on daily exist because of civil engineers.

It’s amazing to see that the work we do shapes how people live, travel, and interact with the world around them.

That awareness has given me a whole new appreciation for the industry and makes me proud to be a part of it.

What’s your favourite thing you’ve made out of Lego?

My brother and I always made cars together. We would spend all day every day playing with Lego.