I'm a Design Manager/ Project Manager and have worked in a number of different areas in the industry including water supply, flood risk, oil and gas, security, nuclear and rail.

Working in construction allows me to be a part of projects with real tangible results that have lasting impacts on people and the environment. This could be providing shelter, water and power or transport systems, flood defences and green space regeneration.

I have been to every continent of the world except Antarctica.

The industry needs a wide range of skills and not everyone is suited to doing detailed technical calculations. Whilst a technical background is certainly helpful, my key skills are being able to see and effectively communicate interfaces and shape the technical detail, cost, programme and resources to deliver a real world project.

Women starting in the industry still face some older established prejudices that they need to work a bit harder to overcome compared to their male counterparts.

My advice would be to gain as much practical knowledge of the industry as possible including the different types of disciplines and roles through placements or site visits.