India Jean-Jacques
Highways technician, WSP
Expertise
HighwaysLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
Became an Engineering Technician (EngTech) member of ICE
Completed my apprenticeship one year earlier than the expected timeframe
Became a STEM ambassador and featured on the Big Assembly live panel
A day in my life
As a civil engineering apprentice, a day in my life is never the same. I could be working on drawings and design for big projects and local projects alike, or on a bidding team collating research through the company for a high-profile bid, examining the health and safety aspects on a design and producing technical notes with proposals, and more.
I got involved with many initiatives also, to do with early career professional growth and sustainability, and ensuring that all of the projects my region was working on were "future-proofed".
The dynamic nature of my work was incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, and there was always something to get excited about!
We asked India…
What would you say to anyone considering a civil engineering apprenticeship?
Be brave. This is a fantastic way to get a headstart on your career, so look past the misconceptions and stigma.
The highlight of my apprenticeship is …
Using my creativity to work on solutions for so many varied projects, and meeting many inspiring colleagues and apprentices.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer or technician?
I read the book Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik about material science, in which he discusses various civil engineering project, including The Shard in London.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer apprentice, but I’m also…
An accredited Engineering Technician member of the ICE, an active STEM ambassador and a massive vegan foodie!
What about being a civil engineer apprentice gets you out of bed each morning?
The versatility, no day is the same and I always have a new challenge to engineer around and learn from.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
How much consideration goes into simple things you see around you. Being in highways, I had no idea how many wheels and cogs there were turning to get a project off the ground, including the design of drainage, inclusive routes and sustainability.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
Smart motorways.
Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?
A civil engineering apprenticeship has allowed me to gain both the soft skills needed to succeed in my career and the technical foundations and engineering principles to take me further in my career.