Anastasios Andrianopoulos

We asked Anastasios…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

There are opportunities all over the world that need your skills.

You get the chance to have a real impact in people's lives and offer the world a better tomorrow.

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

an ICE event ambassador.

I engage with ICE activities on a regular basis, and I'm working on ways to enable collaboration with employers and universities.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?

I can't say I've spent much time playing with Lego, but I did assist my cousin in building the Millennium Falcon model. I hope he still has that masterpiece intact somewhere!

What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

As a civil engineer, I get to solve real problems that help people and the planet. Every day brings a new challenge to crack.

I also get to talk to all kinds of cool people, like community members and other experts, which makes my job even more interesting.

Organising events is another fun part. Whether it's a team meeting or an ICE workshop, it's great to bring people together to work on something important.

Lastly, helping others reach their goals feels awesome. Whether it's guiding a new engineer or helping a research group, it's really rewarding.

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

One thing I didn't realise is the importance of the small details in making a project work. It feels like a huge puzzle where every little piece matters a lot.

What's more, I was surprised by the variety of people you end up working with. It's not just engineers, there are all sorts of experts, contractors, and even subcontractors, each doing specific tasks.

So, working on the client side, it's not just about the big end result - it's also about understanding all the little things and the teamwork that make a project successful.

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

The Line, Saudi Arabia.

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

That ‘bigger is always better’.

Many people, when they think about civil engineering, imagine building the biggest highways, bridges, or dams.

Let me tell you something. It’s not about size. It’s all about solving problems that really matter and being smart, creative, and thoughtful of the community.

Instead of designing and building a big dam, build a smart one that helps communities get the water they need while protecting the local environment.

Don't create just an efficient transportation system, but also a system that encourages people to walk or cycle, reducing pollution and making everyone healthier in the process.

Civil engineering is much more than just building with concrete and steel. It's about making people’s lives better in a sustainable way.

You will get the credit not by building the biggest thing, but the RIGHT thing for your community and the planet.

Anything else?

I'm also a STEM ambassador, chess player, and a football and basketball fan.