Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career as an engineer?
I was born and raised in Ghana and found my passion for engineering at a very early age. My father is also an engineer, and I’ve always shared his love for maths, physics and problem solving. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I moved to the UK to complete a Masters in Structural Integrity at Brunel University in London.I love my career and can honestly say that I’ve never looked back since becoming a Graduate Structural Engineer.
What are your overall impressions of the engineering industry?
For me, engineering is an incredibly varied and rewarding industry. I work on a whole host of interesting projects, gaining valuable insight and it's great to watch my ideas come to life. In my experience, engineers who are passionate and dedicated have the opportunity to thrive, building on their knowledge and progressing their career.
What key skills do you need as a Graduate Structural Engineer?
Aside from technical abilities and theoretical knowledge, while it might seem obvious communication skills are essential. I constantly interact with colleagues and clients, sharing ideas, entering into discussions and relaying information. When I'm not speaking to people in person, I communicate through written reports, documents and emails. I need to convey myself clearly and accurately. Therefore, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills forms a huge part of my job.
What does your typical day look like?
As a Graduate Structural Engineer, no two days are the same! While I may begin my day with a plan, my role requires me to be adaptable, changing my priorities to deal efficiently with the task at hand. Typically my morning starts with a daily team meeting within which we discuss which projects we will be focusing on that day. While I do spend some time on the shop floor most of my work takes place in the office. It’s in the office where I collaborate with colleagues to create solutions for active projects and a whole host of structural issues that arise with the rolling stock that comes into the workshop.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
There are so many things I love about my job, but I would have to say that the opportunity to learn and grow is most valuable to me. During my time at Gemini Rail Group, I’ve been given a range of responsibilities which have encouraged me to demonstrate my existing skills, broaden my knowledge and gain new experiences.
While my role constantly challenges me, there are always people on hand to offer their support. My colleagues have great insight, and are willing to share their knowledge to help further my development.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career like yours?
My advice would be to make sure that you love what you do! While very rewarding, engineering is a challenging industry and one which you need to feel passionately about in order to succeed. Each day, I strive to be the best version of myself, and this comes from the enthusiasm I have for my career and my sector.
How did you find working with the team at Coleman James?
My experience working with Coleman James was wonderful from start to finish. I was supported by Ruta Ramoskaite, who was very helpful, efficient and showed a genuine investment in my success. I felt supported at every stage of the process and Ruta still regularly checks-in with me which I really appreciate.