Case studies

Name: Greg Thornett
My job is: Engineering Consultant for Arup
School days: I did my work experience at a small structural consultancy firm and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of work involved. It led me to study Maths, Physics and Economics A Levels before going on to gain a masters degree in civil engineering at uni.
I work with: a design engineering team in a Camden Town office. This is my first experience of working in a multidisciplinary team and I’m enjoying it a lot so far. I have some extremely capable structural engineers around me, who have been fantastic about showing me the ropes.
The best thing: The diversity of work is great. I also like the feeling of creating something permanent and worthwhile that will be used by others. I have recently been doing some research into low-cost single-storey building construction, because a client of ours is planning to go to the Maldives and help rebuild properties destroyed by the Tsunami.


Name: Emma Thompson
My job is: Senior Transport Consultant/Engineer
A day in the life: I’m mostly office-based, but also enjoy a healthy amount of site-based work. Transport projects take you to other cities for short time periods, it’s interesting and also provides variety. No two transport problems are the same - drivers never act the same and as a result there is never a standard solution
My social time: I play Squash, go climbing and like active holidays. I also learn Spanish – it’s just a different skill to have. I have also learnt the relaxing powers of DIY having bought my own house!
My future; I would like to get my chartership as all graduates do and run my own consultancy. Travelling will feature high on the agenda I suspect!
I recommend civil engineering….Because it's challenging, but there are endless possibilities in area of work and in type of project. It is rewarding on many levels if you want it to be



Name: Sarah Andrews
My job is: working within the waste management team
A day in the life: Each day presents new opportunities and new challenges. Waste management itself is a really varied discipline. I tend to concentrate on the design of new landfill facilities and the rehab of old sites. Many of these projects are located overseas (for example Malta, Mauritius, Ghana, eastern Europe) as there is usually aid funding for countries to make improvements to their environment.
The best thing: No day is ever the same. I am faced with new challenges on every project and so I never get the opportunity to become bored.
My future: I found out whilst in Bolivia that I passed my professional review so now have to consider my future as a Chartered Engineer with ICE. I know that this will bring greater responsibility and more travel opportunities.

The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)

www.ice.org.uk/homepage/index.asp