Meg Ginsberg

Assistant project manager – infrastructure, South West Water

Expertise

Water, Project Management

Location

United Kingdom

My highlights

ICE South West Apprentice of the Year in 2023

ICE South West Future Leader

National Engineering Day 2024 engineering role model

A day in my life

My days vary depending on where my projects sit within their lifecycle.

For example, if a project is in the concept phase, progress will rely heavily on when civil engineers deliver the outline and detailed design.

My role will be to ensure all surveys are completed for them to have the information they need to carry that out.

I also help make sure that preliminary expenses are authorised and work with the wider project teams (e.g. estates, energy, operations, commercial, biodiversity).

Whereas if a project is in delivery, then I may be attending site, speaking to local residents or checking in with suppliers.

Every day is different, every day is progress, and every day I’m learning.

Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?

I was fortunate that my daughter’s father is a civil engineer and introduced me to the world of engineering.

He showed me the ‘behind the scenes’ of how the world around us is created and inspired me to join those working to innovate.

We asked Meg…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

I love working within the engineering department as I’m responsible for delivering change. I help improve the lives of communities and environment within the region.

I find it fascinating to collate information to piece together a solution for a problem, using the knowledge of those around me.

Every day is different, every day is progress, and every day I’m learning.

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

I’m a project manager, but I’m also a degree apprentice, innovator, and mum.

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

Knowing that I will be a part of developing the infrastructure that will serve generations to come.

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

The power civil engineering has to build a better, more sustainable future.

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

Take me back to Brunel’s days and just let me shadow his work. From trains stations to bridges to boats, there was no limit to his mind, and I wish I could have seen it at work.

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

You must go straight from school to university to be a civil engineer.

What motivates you to become professionally qualified? 

I want to ensure that my project management has achieves a certain level of technical knowledge. Applying to qualify as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) will demonstrate this level to others in this industry.

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

Faster progression.

What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE? 

The opportunities to further my career development and have the support network within the ICE and the ICE Benevolent Fund.

How did the ICE and/or your employer support you to become professionally qualified? 

Meetings to go through my application, practice presentations and membership advice.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

The ability to be a part of the ICE South West City Clubs and committee.

How has being a member helped your career? 

Career guidance, support, and amazing opportunities.

Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies

I’m currently touring south-west England on the ICE City Clubs with my fellow Future Leader, Alex Buley. We’re giving interactive workshops on inclusive design.

Each event has two parts. First, a presentation that goes through positive and negative design and the impact on the user.

This branches into case studies from disabled individuals to show a range of perspectives.

The second part is where the audience can experience basic accessibility challenges from different viewpoints, e.g. sitting in a wheelchair.

Meg's career path

I started at South West Water on a Level 4 Associate Project Management apprenticeship, then got promoted to assistant project manager.

From this I started my Level 6 Project Manager degree apprenticeship at Exeter University.

Major projects

I manage eight infrastructure projects, working on a range of wastewater projects across the South West.

This includes new wastewater treatment works and sewage pump stations.

I also work on surface water separation (which helps keep water clean), infiltration reduction (which can help reduce flooding), and the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).