Sonali Patel

We asked Sonali…

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because…

Civil and infrastructure engineers are the architects of civilisation.

Every road you drive on, every building you enter, every dam, tunnel, airport, and railway, none of it exists without civil engineers!

We don’t just design structures, we design the infrastructure systems that make modern life possible.

If you like designing, thinking laterally and seeing things come to life, civil engineering is for you.

While you can have a very broad career, you can also have a very narrow, in-depth job, working to design a specific part of a large-scale project.

Some of the major infrastructure projects that civil engineers are currently working on include HS2, Thames Tideway and Sizewell C.

These are projects that will define the future of the UK.

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

A netball player! I've played for around 15 years and absolutely love it.

It’s a great way to meet new people and keep active. I also love to hike and travel, whether that be with friends, family or solo trips.

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

That civil engineering is all about bridges.

While there are many bridge projects up and down the country, there are many other aspects of civil engineering. These include flood schemes, geotechnical analysis and building design, among many others.

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

From carbon calculations to make informed design decisions to reducing the overall material on a project, a designer can have a big impact on addressing climate change.

Given that our industry contributes to about 10% of global CO₂ emissions, every engineer is responsible for ensuring that they've considered options to reduce carbon on their projects. 

I also hosted a Sustainable Concrete Cube Competition for the ICE in the East of England.

This contest invited early career engineers to innovate a low-carbon concrete mix and then strength-tested the cured cubes. 

It promoted collaboration and creative thinking, providing out-of-the-box solutions to sustainability challenges.

How does your role contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive?

As the previous chair of the ICE Early Careers Network in the West Midlands, I encouraged students, apprentices, and graduates from diverse backgrounds to participate in ICE activities.

I continue to promote engineering as a graduate engineer. From organising STEM activities to encourage students from all backgrounds to consider a career in civil engineering, to attending university careers fairs and promoting the industry.

It's rewarding to engage with the next generation, as many of them are passionate about finding solutions to the most pressing challenges in our industry.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

I've used my coding knowledge to automate some of my more repetitive tasks.

Recently, I've been asked to lead the automation of various tasks for a specific project.

What is motivating you to become professionally qualified? 

Becoming a Chartered Engineer is a privilege attributed to engineers at the top of their field.

It would reflect the knowledge I will have developed in order to not only deliver projects but also lead people to achieve a common goal. 

Much more than the title, being a Chartered Engineer is about the responsibility, the knowledge and the integrity that underpins every decision you make.

I'm working hard to be recognised as a Chartered Engineer and look forward to, one day, achieving this goal.

How is the ICE and your employer supporting you to become professionally qualified? 

The ICE has a variety of events that I've attended in order to achieve my aim of becoming chartered.

I enjoy attending and hosting events on behalf of the ICE.

Additionally, my employer has invested time in my training and development to ensure that I'm working towards this goal.

How has being an ICE member helped your career? 

It's given me access to the the vast library at One Great George Street as well as events, articles and blogs that have enabled me to gain insights into our profession. 

The ICE also provides great networking opportunities through the Early Careers Networks. 

I have made a great group of friends through the ICE.

What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed from studying to working in engineering?

Studying engineering can sometimes be more theoretical, requiring you to think about the background of how and why things work.

It encourages you to explore the principles behind systems, materials and processes.

While working, I've been able to apply this knowledge to real-life scenarios.

This hands-on and practical nature of work has enabled me to build a different set of skills, including problem-solving, quick-thinking and adaptability. 

Also, my work on the management side has helped me develop my rapport-building abilities while gaining an understanding of the financial aspects of a project.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

Lego Nasa Apollo Saturn V – I built this with my father and sister (who is now a mechanical engineer!) during a school Christmas holiday.

We are very proud of the rocket and it remains on display in our front room to this day.