Amy Henderson

We asked Amy…

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because...

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because you can see the real-world impact of your work every day.

Whether it's providing clean water, maintaining reservoirs, designing transport networks or helping communities become more resilient to climate change, the projects you work on make a difference to people's lives.

It's also a varied career, with opportunities to work in the office and onsite, solve challenging problems and collaborate with people from different backgrounds.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also …

I'm a civil engineer, but I'm also a keen traveller who loves exploring new places and learning about different cultures.

When I'm not working, you'll often find me planning my next adventure or training as a javelin thrower.

Fun fact: the women's javelin world record is 72.28 metres, set by Barbora Špotáková of the Czech Republic in 2008 – that's over three-quarters of the length of a football pitch!

Name one civil or infrastructure engineering myth you'd like to bust.

A myth I'd like to bust is that engineering is just about maths and calculations.

In reality, it's about solving real-world problems, working with people and creating infrastructure that communities rely on every day.

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

My role helps address climate change by improving the safety and resilience of reservoirs and dams.

As weather patterns become more extreme, it's important that our infrastructure can cope with floods and droughts. 

By helping to manage these assets safely, I contribute to protecting communities, the environment and water supplies for the future.

How does your role contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive?

As one of only two women in my team, I'm passionate about improving diversity in engineering.

By sharing my experiences and presenting on topics such as women in reservoir engineering, I hope to inspire more girls and young women to consider a career in the industry.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

Digital technology is an important part of my job.

I use software to analyse data, assess risks and improve the safety of reservoirs and dams.

I'm also involved in developing new digital tools that could help engineers work more efficiently and make better-informed decisions in the future.

What is motivating you to become professionally qualified?

I plan to work towards professional qualification because it is an important milestone in an engineering career.

It demonstrates competence, commitment and professionalism, while helping to build trust with clients and colleagues.

For me, it's also an opportunity to continue developing my technical knowledge and gain experience from the talented engineers I work alongside.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?

As I work towards professional qualification with the ICE, I see it as an opportunity to demonstrate my growth as an engineer and gain recognition within the industry.

I hope it will open up new opportunities; broaden the range of responsibilities I can take on and provide a strong foundation for the next stage of my career.

How is the ICE and your employer supporting you to become professionally qualified? 

My employer has always encouraged me to take on new challenges and make the most of opportunities to develop professionally.

Whether through project work, training, conferences or presenting my work, I've been able to gain valuable experience that will help me work towards professional qualification.

The ICE provides a framework for that development and helps guide the next steps in my career.

How has being a member helped your career? 

The British Dam Society (BDS), a specialist society within the ICE, has played an important role in my professional development.

Through its Young Professionals initiative, I've had the opportunity to attend forums, meet engineers from across the industry and learn about a wide range of dam and reservoir projects.

These experiences have helped me build valuable professional connections and reinforced my enthusiasm for a career in reservoir engineering.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

A Lego Gremlin!

It took much longer than it should have, mainly because I spent a lot of time checking the instructions and fixing my mistakes.

It was a good reminder that even engineers don't always get things right the first time.

Do you have any personal causes?

Outside of engineering, I'm passionate about climate resilience and sustainability.

My grandmother, who was my closest family member, wrote a poem about the effects of climate change back in the 1990s.

Her words have always resonated with me and helped spark my interest in creating a more sustainable future.

Looking back, it's remarkable how many of the challenges she wrote about are still relevant today.

Planet Earth

• By Lilian Henderson

The world is full of beautiful places,

with desert sands and fertile oasis,

Red sunsets and sunrises golden and bright

the moon casting shadows on a dark velvet night.

Yet man in his ignorance threatens to fade

the bounteous beauty that God has made.

With reckless abandon he poisons the sea,

the green of the land the leaf of the tree.

We must heed the warning that nature is

giving and find a solution to all the pollution.

We must act quickly if we are to survive,

Our planet is dying, we must keep it alive.