Rohinee Pattani
assistant engineer, Atkins
Expertise
Design, StructuralLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
ICE President’s Future Leader 2022/23
ICE QUEST Scholar
Being on the committee of the Strategic Design Partnership Early Careers Network
A day in my life
I usually start work around 9am and split the week between working in the office and at home.
Every day is different with new tasks and problems to solve.
A typical day might include working on a computer model of a structure, doing calculations, doing some research or writing reports.
The job is very collaborative. I work in a team with other engineers (and not just civil engineers). We will usually have at least one short meeting or discussion in a day to discuss ideas and plan work.
It’s also useful to be able to ask questions and learn from engineers with more experience who might be experts in certain technical areas.
My day might also involve working on other initiatives I’m involved in, like helping our practice include net zero thinking in designs and helping to develop a Python coding training course for the company.
It’s also exciting to know that there are so many opportunities for civil engineers to contribute to global issues covered in the UN Sustainable Development Goals...
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
My teachers at school really encouraged me to pursue civil engineering. I also enjoyed learning about different roles and meeting inspiring engineers while doing work experience at various companies.
We asked Rohinee…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It covers a huge range of sectors and disciplines. You have the opportunity to contribute to global issues, sustainable development and improving people’s day-to-day lives.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
A keen runner! I try to go running a few times a week before or after work. I ran my first half marathon just before the first Covid lockdown.
I’m also a STEM ambassador and enjoy volunteering to inspire future engineers from different backgrounds, particularly women and ethnic minorities.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?
I’ve never really played much with Lego, but one of the cool things which I’ve seen from other people is a Lego Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
The fact that every day is different and challenges you with new problems to solve.
It’s also exciting to know that there are so many opportunities for civil engineers to contribute to global issues covered in the UN Sustainable Development Goals like decarbonisation, providing access to energy and water, and resilience to extreme events.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
Civil engineering isn’t all just technical work and calculations. It allows you to develop so many different skills and choose from different career pathways.
You collaborate and communicate with other engineers, clients and stakeholders.
You can get involved in project management and leadership.
You also have opportunities for research and development.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. It’s left a great legacy and introduced lots of innovative ways of doing things which led to positive social and environmental outcomes too.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
That a career in civil engineering isn’t suitable for women.
There are so many inspiring and successful women in the industry, and the industry is changing to become more inclusive and diverse. The fact that it’s still more male dominated shouldn’t stop you if the career and skills interest you!
Rohinee's career path
I was introduced to engineering through the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships programme, through which I got to do work experience and meet engineers from Buro Happold.
I studied maths, physics, design and technology, and Spanish for my A-levels.
I then completed the four-year MEng Civil Engineering degree at Imperial College London.
For the last year of my degree, I got to study abroad at the University of Melbourne, in Australia, which was a great experience.
While at university, I was on the ICE QUEST Scholarship scheme and did a couple of internships, including at Shell in the Netherlands, and at a structural engineering software company while in Australia.
After finishing my degree, I started working at Atkins, based in London.
I work in a team which specialises in structural dynamics. This involves designing and assessing structures for things like earthquakes, blasts, and wind.
