Becky Drew
Senior engineer, Curtins
Expertise
Design, StructuralLocation
West MidlandsMy highlights
Becoming a Chartered Engineer with the ICE (CEng MICE)
Handing over the first project that I was responsible for from concept
Performing on BBC Proms as a choral singer
A day in my life
I start most days by reading all new emails and flagging those that need actioning.
I spend my first hour or so clearing through any urgent or straightforward queries, so my inbox is ready for the day.
I tend to have a couple meetings per day so then arrange my tasks around those.
I try to check in with all team members in my local office once a day and also drop my team lead a message.
The rest of my day tends to revolve around calls, puzzling out some site queries, completing design reviews on other projects, and planning out my current projects.
Some days I block out for full design or report writing depending on where the project is up to.
Being involved with the ICE on a regional level has helped me create links with lots of different people and given me opportunities that I may not have gotten through my company alone.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
My dad. He was a civil engineer and inspired my uncle to become one too, who then encouraged me to consider it.
Apparently, I used to go to work with my dad as a baby on the weekends when he was running flooding analysis (back in the 90s).
We asked Becky…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It can lead you anywhere and gives you such versatile skills that are useful in the industry as well as all aspects of life.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also …
I’m a civil engineer but I’m also… a choral singer who’s performed at the BBC Proms and toured in places like Germany and Monaco.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
Determination to do the best job possible. And sometimes, because I have an idea when I’m half asleep that I’ll be keen to check.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
How we preserve historic buildings for the future. I love history and visiting stately homes so getting to work on projects where we can conserve these buildings for future generations is something I love.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
In the UK, it would be the Royal Albert Hall (though the thought of designing the dome shape is daunting!).
Worldwide, it would be Elphiharmonie in Hamburg, a modern concert hall built on top of an existing port storehouse right on the edge of the harbour. I would love to be involved in a concert hall at some point in my career.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
That women can’t get far in their engineering careers without sacrificing their personal lives.
Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?
I used to be a bit wary of public speaking or presenting. But civil engineering (and my time on my regional ICE committees) gave me opportunities to speak to groups, network and even be a panellist at conferences.
While I still get nervus for big presentations, I’m so much more comfortable now.
What motivated you, or is motivating you, to become professionally qualified?
Wanting those four letters after my name: CEng.
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
It means that I can start moving towards holding more responsibility for designs overall, and mentor others in their own development.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
Taking my dad to One Great George Street for my certificate presentation ceremony. The fact that the ICE celebrates this in such a large way is so special.
How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
I was a member of my Early Careers Network group and chaired it for a year, so I was able to create links to people in the industry to provide support and mentorship.
My company also supported me through my supervising civil engineer and my reviews, where I was able to align my objectives with the attributes I needed to target.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
The breadth of resources and community available to me as a member.
How has being a member helped your career?
Being involved with the ICE on a regional level has helped me create links with lots of different people and given me opportunities that I may not have gotten through my company alone.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?
I visited Lego House in Denmark last summer and spent way too long in the creative build section, where it’s just multiple build stations overflowing with Lego. Could have happily spent all day in there.
While not Lego, I did spend a whole weekend building a functioning clock out of Meccano (the proper metal sets from the 80s) which I was devastated to break apart. The Meccano was my mum and uncle’s, so I’ve claimed it as my own now.
Becky's career path
I went through A-levels and decided I wanted to be a civil engineer after some work experience when I was 17.
I then went to university to get a degree and opted to do industrial placements in my summers to gain experience.
After graduating, I got my first job as an engineer. I’m always learning and experiencing new things (no structure is ever the same) which helped me progress to my current role as senior engineer.
