I’m a mechanical building services engineer working in commercial fit-out and refurbishment. I joined Aecom on the graduate scheme in 2019. I also help run our “Young Engineers Forum”, which involves monthly meetings with my junior colleagues to discuss issues and develop skills. And I’m also a committee member for the British Council for Offices NextGen group, where I help organise a range of events, from charity nights to panel discussions.

After graduating with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering. I decided I wanted to work in an industry that was capable of having an impact on the fight against climate change. Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global energy consumption each year, and so I settled on building services as my career path.

My key skills are around client interaction and people management. As a young engineer, I am proactive in ensuring that my clients trust my knowledge and ability despite my age. With other members of project teams, particularly those based on construction sites, I have to assert myself a little harder to show that I am capable of handling myself, and them!

At the moment, although many men are welcoming of female engineers, it still feels that there is an expectation to be “one of the guys”. I think there is still a lot of work to be done to allow anyone, whatever their personality, to feel comfortable working in the industry.

Even if you are not a confident or outgoing person, have confidence in yourself and in your ability. If you are qualified to work or be somewhere, don’t let other people’s biases make you doubt yourself.