I’m an electrical engineer working in AECOM’s building engineering team after graduating from Heriot Watt University.

I have experience delivering electrical design and working and collaborating across business sectors including commercial and residential. She had also taken part in a secondment to AECOM’s Vertical Transportation Team where she worked on delivering high profile projects both in the UK and abroad. I work on delivering sustainable net-zero solutions for clients. I’m an IEng ACIBSE Professional Member and sit on several committees where I aim to support and champion other young professionals in the industry.

I wanted to work in the built environment, I loved looking around at all the different buildings and thinking about how they worked. Building Services Engineering gave me the best balance of creative design work and problem solving and allowed me to work to better the built environment in many different ways.

Something I have worked on since joining the industry and have realised is vital in the work that engineers do, is team work and collaborative skills. Learning to work with other, advocate for your work but also learn from others to create the best possible design.

I think there are a few different types of challenges for women within construction. The industry has been historically predominantly male and so the industry has geared itself towards that - a good example of this is the provision of PPE suitable for women or part-time working. Another is the shortage of role models, women are starting to make up a good proportion of those entering the industry at degree level but not so many are in senior leadership positions and then its dependant on the area of the industry you work in, consultancy vs client vs contractor vs manufacturer. As women, we are often in the minority in construction spaces so it can take a while to build up some confidence, role models or mentors can help with that.

The construction industry is constantly changing and evolving so there are new opportunities all the time. If you are interested look at how you can get involved, whether that be through your education (university etc.), summer internships, placements, work experience, industry events and talks. Reach out to anyone you know or might know in the industry and ask all the questions!