Ngozi Orji-Chukwu

industrial placement engineer, Jubb Consulting Engineers

Expertise

Design

Location

Wales

My highlights

Winning the 2022 ICE Wales Emerging Engineer Award

Seeing my first design come to life - a small footpath for a school project in Cardiff

A day in my life

A day in my life as an industrial placement engineer typically starts with a weekly team meeting for an update on each team member’s project workload.

This is followed by working on designs and projects, with frequent meetings with the supervising engineer to provide corrections and markups.

Some days will include virtual internal or external training or site visits.

A typical day usually depends on my workload and the types of projects I’m working on.

Civil engineering is a very broad discipline with so many different opportunities available for virtually everyone interested.

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

My dad, who’s a civil engineer, played a huge part in my decision.

Having an active and present role model in the field has been nothing but supportive to my growth as a civil engineer.

We asked Ngozi…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because it’s such a rewarding discipline.

You get to see your designs get built in real life and serve their purpose for years to come.

You’ll always be able to support the ever-changing, sustainable, global needs.

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

A budding videographer and baker
A STEM role model assisting in high schools in the Welsh valleys
A sickle cell advocate and a carer for children with special needs

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

I never really played with Legos growing up (not every engineer has a background with Lego!).

I was more artistic, putting designs on paper instead.

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

The opportunity to be a part of a design process that will be relevant to so many in the future.

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

There’s a human side to civil engineering and not just the theoretical bit we learn in school.

The choices we make in every stage, from design to construction and maintenance, influence lives of people and government policies.

It’s all intertwined together, which is what makes it such a rewarding discipline.

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

The Elizabeth line underground drainage system.

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

That all civil engineers do is go to site to build.

Civil engineering is a very broad discipline with so many different opportunities available for virtually everyone interested.

Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?

My time working as a placement engineer has improved my communication, time management and ability to effectively work in a team.

Any personal causes or hobbies?

I enjoy going for walks, listening to music, reading, baking, and visiting new places.

For sickle cell month in September, I organised a sponsored walk up to Pen Y Fan to raise money for awareness.

Crossrail – also known as the Elizabeth line - is a railway through London. With the capital’s population set to reach 10 million by 2030, it’s designed to improve a public transport system already struggling to cope.