Kayla Browne

We asked Kayla…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

It’s different! Imagine walking across a bridge, taking a train journey, or driving over something you were a part of constructing.

It allows you to see a drawing on paper come to life, from planning and ordering the material to constructing and doing quality checks before handing over.

Civil engineering is broad and full of so many different opportunities and pathways.

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

I made the Gherkin out of Lego.

When I was 15, my dad came home with the limited edition Lego kit. It took me around a week on and off to build. It's still standing in the living room to date.

For International Women in Engineering Day in 2019, Tideway made a cartoon about who inspired me and that is a story I spoke about.

I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…

A woman in construction.

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

Being onsite and ready for the challenges the day has to offer.

Also, knowing that each day can be very different to the day before is exciting.

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

I love surveying and the feeling I get when I measure a point I'd previously set out and it’s either bang on (accurate - reads 0.000) or it's within 5mm.

I get a sense of accomplishment each time I take record drawings of my work.

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

Projects that I can see on a day-to-day basis and reminisce.

It'd also be amazing to work on bridges and skyscrapers.

For example, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Burj Khalifa or the Marina Bay Sands Tower in Singapore.

My next project will be HS2, a massive project that comes with new engineering skills different to those I currently have. It’s something I’ll be able to look back on with pride many years later.

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

Male dominated industry? Even though there are less women in construction than men, there are still plenty of female role models who I can look up to, and I hope to be one for future generations.

There are various female engineers and site members, in all positions, site-based and/or office-based.

I think civil engineering being a male dominated industry will soon be a thing of the past. And the working environment will be more balanced in terms of diversity.

Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal or professional challenges/difficulties?

I started as a very shy person.

The industry has tested my limits at times, but I wouldn’t change that.

It’s made me more confident and able to talk to new people of all ages and backgrounds.

The opportunities that I’ve been exposed to over the years have been amazing. I’ve been on BBC news, had a cartoon of me created, and have even been on a joint campaign to raise awareness about the river Thames with a reality TV star!

What are you doing to help fight against climate change?

I am going to invest in an electric car. In the meantime, I use public transport as much as possible.

By working on Thames Tideway, I am improving the water quality in the river Thames, using the river as much as possible to reduce carbon emissions from lorries.

By eventually working on HS2 I will be a part of a scheme that will help people and goods move around the country in a more sustainable way, reducing carbon emissions.

Do you have any hobbies or support any personal causes?

I play netball and enjoy reading, listening to music and binge-watching series.

Furthermore, I raised nearly £1000 for Mind in 2021, running 27 miles in 27 days to raise awareness for student mental health.