Education and qualifications:
Currently going into final year studying Civil Engineering at Liverpool John Moores
A-levels: Maths, Physics and Computer Science

Job title:
Degree Apprentice (currently working in Power & Distribution)

Employer:
Amey Rail Ltd

What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
I enjoy solving problems, and as an engineer this is one of the key aspects to the role.

Please describe your role or position within your workplace.
I am a Degree Apprentice, attending university once a week and working the rest of the week on the TransPennine Route Upgrade Project. I have worked in multiple areas: Track, Signalling and currently in Power & Distribution (P&D).

Can you describe a typical working day?
A typical day involves asking a lot of questions. I’m working with more experienced members of the team to develop my knowledge, whether that be on-site or in the office. I prefer to work on-site as you can physically seeing what is happening. However, I recognise that it is important to have a good balance as, to properly understand on-site work, you must understand the theory and office side of it.

Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
Learning about electrification of the railway is difficult as I have never really looked into the electrical side of engineering before. What I find most challenging is understanding what I need to learn to truly benefit from my time in the P&D Team.

What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
I really enjoy learning something new every day and the opportunity to gain work experience alongside academic qualifications.

Is there a great professional achievement or high-profile accomplishment that you would like to tell us about?
I have done a lot of work around Early Careers. I am the chair of the Early Careers Committee on the TransPennine Route Upgrade, where the team have really been working to create something that can help young engineers progress in the project. I have also had conversations with people at the highest level within Amey about early careers and I hope to make a positive difference to all young people within the company - by helping to provide development opportunities, as well as ensuring they are provided with the basic tools to do so.

What contributed to your decision to become professionally registered?
I intend to become registered as Charted Engineer (CEng) in the future, and so the logical first step was to achieve Engineering Technician (EngTech).

In what ways has registration benefitted your career?
Professional registration has helped me to understand the key topics that are involved with becoming a better engineer, pushing me to achieve in each of the required areas, and therefore becoming a better, more rounded engineer.

How does your employer benefit from your professional registration?
I work to better myself and my team. If I can use what I have learnt from professional registration to help the company, I definitely will.

Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering professional registration?
Go for it! Applying for professional registration highlights areas where your knowledge may be lacking, which will help motivate you to make yourself a better engineer.

Where do you see yourself in your career in five years’ time or what are your future ambitions?
I would like to see myself with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, have my CEng and be using my skills to help others, whether it is at a team level or a project level.