What inspired you to pursue a career in civil engineering? 

• At school, I really enjoyed STEM subjects as well as art and being creative. My maths teacher (Dr Hills) recommended that I look into engineering as I would be able to use my problem-solving skills as well as my arty side at work. I realised that a job in civil engineering would give me opportunities to travel and work around the world, and would be a secure career where I would do something different every day.

What do you like about your job? 

• I’m always learning – not only academic learning but also more practical and hands-on learning. I get a good mix of learning new software and technologies as we are using a lot of 3D construction modelling on my project, as well as more general or self-taught learning when trying to work out how to deliver the most efficient and best solution. It’s a very dynamic career where no two days are the same which keeps everything interesting and exciting.
• I get to work with some really interesting people who have lived and worked all over the world.
• Working in civil engineering allows me a good mix of working in the office and out on site – I love being outdoors and this job allows me to spend a lot of time outside.

In what ways did your experiences at LHS help shape your career path and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities you're about to face? 

• The small class sizes were really helpful because all the teachers knew you well. There was only myself and one other girl in my A2 physics class, so the lessons were really tailored around our needs and abilities – if there was something one of us was struggling with, our teacher (Mr Chappell) was able to explain it in depth.
• I developed a strong work ethic at LHS, balancing part-time weekend work and efficient use of my time in sixth form to manage both academics and a social life. This foundation of treating school like a full-time job prepared me well for working full-time while pursuing my master's part-time later on.

What memories do you cherish the most from your time at LHS, and how have they influenced your personal and professional growth? 

• I really enjoyed my time during sixth form – having the extra level of responsibility, trust, and respect from the teachers instilled a good work ethic in me which has carried on throughout my career.
• The support and encouragement to work in traditionally male-dominated fields has helped get me into a sector where, unfortunately, there still aren’t many women. Although this comes with its own challenges, I don’t think I would have ever considered engineering if I didn’t get the extra push from my teachers at LHS.

What advice do you have for aspiring engineers who dream of working in challenging environments like Antarctica? 

• Keep working at it – if you have a goal which you really truly want to work towards and dedicate your time and effort towards it, it is achievable.
• Make sure you have positive role models and people who inspire you to work towards your goals.
• We need more women working in the construction and engineering sectors to bring new perspectives and ways of thinking – it’s an exciting career to be in, and with all the new innovations and technologies coming forward, it will only be getting better!