Occupation

Sustainability Assistant

Organisation

DSSR Consulting Engineers

What do you think could be done to encourage more women to enter your field?

I had always thought of engineering as a boy’s world until I realised that there were other types besides civil, that it required problem solving skills and it was potentially very rewarding in terms of the satisfaction gained for a job well done. I think that by highlighting the different areas within the engineering & construction industry – structural, quantity surveying, estate management etc – there is the scope to draw in many people, both men and women, who would have never considered a job in this sector.

What made you get involved in this area of work/this career?

My guidance teacher at high school suggested Civil Engineering but after a placement week with a local engineer, I decided that I liked the practical and analytical side of engineering but didn’t want to be a Civil so I looked into other streams of engineering.

I graduated in July 2008 from Heriot Watt University, having spent the last 5 years studying for my Masters in Architectural Engineering. Since then, I have been working at DSSR on a number of projects, conducting research into renewable technologies and attending training courses.

What are you responsible for in your job and what do you like best about it?

As the sustainability assistant, I do a lot of research and reading on renewable technologies and available grants and then write summaries/notify engineers of any relevant information. I also help write and amend reports for clients which outline the feasibility of renewable technologies for their site and include any relevant planning legislation they must adhere to.

The best part is being able to put what I learnt at Uni into practice. It is rewarding when the client likes the report you have written. 

What is a typical day like?

A typical day involves a chat with my mentor to discuss the upcoming projects and to keep tabs on my progress. It is really good to be able to have someone that is there to encourage and to support you. At the moment I am working on a feasibility study for a client so I spending time researching the different technologies and suppliers and then assessing whether or not these are appropriate for the site. I also spend some of my time using IES (dynamic simulation software) to model buildings and to assess their carbon emissions in line with planning legislation.

What is your working environment like?

I have a really great working environment. My desk is in an open plan office and the team are all very friendly and helpful. There is a good mix of speciality fields and therefore you can glean lots of information about different projects and see how your job fits in with theirs.

 
Do you ever make mistakes? How do you deal with that?

Mistakes are inevitable; it is how and what you learn from mistakes that makes you a better person and increase your knowledge and experience.

What is your greatest achievement?

So far, achieving my Masters with merit and being awarded the Watt Club medal which illustrated the work I had put in over the past 5 years.

What would be your ideal holiday?

A mix of relaxing with a good book or puzzle and exploring the local area.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time?

I don’t really have a plan as such, but I’d like to still be working within sustainability – there is so much to achieve and I’d like to be there to encourage others to make suitable and sustainable design decisions. Having written my dissertation on greywater recycling, I’d like the opportunity to learn more about public health engineering and how it intertwines with my job.

Is there any advice you would give students entering your career?

Ask for help if and when you need it! Also make sure you have a good working relationship with your Uni/Work mentor. It is important to have someone to discuss issues with, either personal or work related. I’m not sure if I would have got as far as I did without the wonderful support I had from both staff and family!

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