What path has your career taken since graduation? 

I graduated during the uncertainty of Covid so I was keen to move straight into a career path. I knew I wanted to work in bridges or structures thanks to the summer placements I did during University. I was fortunate to get a job in the bridges team with AECOM in Edinburgh. 

What is your current role?

As a Bridge Engineer, I work primarily in the inspection and assessment of existing structures rather than design. I spend approximately 4 weeks over the year out on bridge inspections, which occasionally involves night-shifts. I help plan the inspections and organise our equipment, take notes on site and write up any urgent defects that the client needs to be aware of. The rest of my time is spent in the office preparing reports and working on assessment calculations based on the worst-case damage we observed on the structure. I really like the variety of having both site work and office work and it's rewarding to extend the life of structures >100 years old.  

What experiences do you feel helped you get to your current position?

My summer placements and many of the group design projects we did in University were the main points of discussion during my job interview. They allowed me to demonstrate ability to work in a team and overcome challenges. 

Additionally, I was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering ELS Scholarship whilst in University, which has enabled me to participate in further training and study. I would highly recommend applying for the scholarship! I also had some great support from the careers advisor when preparing for my application and interview. 

How have you used the skills and/or knowledge developed during your degree in your career?

The technical knowledge from the degree is obviously extremely important and I still refer back to many of my notes even a few years after graduating. I find the whole range of the degree is relevant because you need to have discussions with so many people and it's a lot easier to have some understanding of their specialism, whether that's project management, geotechnical or fire engineering. The skills we gained from group coursework projects have been directly applicable to work, particularly being encouraged to communicate clearly. 

What advice would you give to students who are interested in your area of work?

Make the most of everything the University has to offer such as events, courses abroad, societies and work experience opportunities. Your student advisor/cohort lead and the careers team are able to offer advice if you're ever feeling uncertain about a career path or course, so don't hesitate to set up a meeting. I would also recommend getting summer placements particularly in your earlier years when you have more time, as they will help you apply and understand your University work. 

Lastly, try to get to know as many people as possible whether they're in your class, at an evening event or they're a PhD student running your tutorial. You will keep in touch with many of those people long after your degree.

This profile was published in February 2024.