Sabrina Irfan: Passionate Civil Engineer

My highlights

Becoming incorporated (IEng) with the Institution Of Civil Engineers

Became a STEM ambassador and the chair of my university and staff liaison committee.

Achieving an apprenticeship with Keller construction company.

Why I chose an apprenticeship

I chose to do an apprenticeship because It offered me the opportunity to get real world experience and gain invaluable employability skills alongside a degree. As part of my apprenticeship I am also working towards my IEng (Incorporated Engineer) qualification with the Institution of Civil Engineers. Once I achieve my degree in my final year, I have to sit an end point assessment with ICE after which I will have completed my apprenticeship.

I get to work on projects that are having a tangible effect on people’s lives and help to improve their quality of lives.

A day in my life

My days are very varied. My time is split between working at the office and visiting sites.

Currently I am working in the drawing office department. This means that I am responsible for producing technical drawings using software.

When on site I am able to see my work being implemented. The rest of a normal day involves communicating with architects and senior engineers.

We asked Sabrina…

What has been a highlight(s) of your apprenticeship?

The highlight of my apprenticeship is being able to get Incorporated (IEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineers.

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

I didn’t know how wide and varied the industry is. Also, how many companies and different teams are involved in delivering a project.

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

It’s not necessarily a single project or a person, it’s mostly the fact that Civil engineering plays a vital role in people’s everyday life and wellbeing and also the fact that it boosts a country’s economy.

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

Heathrow airport.

What about being a civil engineer apprentice inspires you?

That I get to work on projects that are having a tangible effect on people’s lives and that I am helping to improve their quality of life. Also, the fact that I get to learn new things every day and improve my skillset.

What would you say to anyone considering a civil engineering apprenticeship?

I would say that there is no better way to becoming a Civil Engineer than through an Apprenticeship route. It provides you with invaluable work experience and employability skills together with a Degree. With my apprenticeship I also get the IEng (Incorporated Engineer) qualification with the ICE which is a bonus. On top of this you also get debt free education and a salary with benefits.