Grace Pearson

Senior Structural Engineer, AtkinsRéalis

Tell us about your current job. Describe what you do on a typical day.

I am a Chartered Structural Engineer, and the day-to-day my job will vary depending on the projects I am working on. The main aspect of my role involves designing buildings based on architectural drawings. This could be a new warehouse, school or refurbishment of existing building into an office unit. There may be a site visit involved to review the progress of construction of a steel frame to ensure it is reflective of our designs.

The way in which we design involves understanding what forces the structure needs to withstand (wind, earthquake, building use) and choosing an appropriate construction material (steel, concrete, timber, masonry) considering sustainability and constructability requirements.

What were the best things about your course?

I enjoyed the intimate class sizes that helped me feel supported and able to speak up freely during seminars. The course was also encouraging of students to engage with one another outside of the classrooms which further aided my development.

How do you feel your degree helped you get a job after graduation?

My MSc allowed me to have the qualifications required for obtaining Chartered Structural Engineer status.

What skills from your degree do you think you use most in your current job?

I use a lot of skill from my degree within my job role. Report writing is very prominent so the ability to write thorough reports that can be easily interpreted is required. Of course there is the engineering aspect of it particularly for me where I studied about defects in concrete. This is key on structural surveys we carry out. There is always continuous learning and research to be done which is another essential skill that has been developed from my MSc.

What are your top tips for securing a job in the United Kingdom or your home country?

It’s really important to reach out to employers and try get exposure of placements or work experiences. I found this vital in securing my graduate role as a summer placement turned into a sponsored degree and graduate job.

Your CV and experience should be reflective of who you are and what you want to get out of your career.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham? Did you need to take additional training on top of your degree?

I have gone from a Graduate Structural Engineer to a Senior Structural Engineer (Chartered). No additional training was required to apply to be a Chartered Engineer.

What advice would you give to current and prospective students looking to work in your sector?

As I have mentioned before I cannot emphasise enough the importance of putting yourself out there for work experience, networking, placement opportunities etc. This will be key to help you secure a permanent position.

What advice would you give to current students studying on your degree programme?

Take your time to understand the principles and fundamentals of engineering, this is the most time you will have to be able to ask lots of questions and delve deeper into areas of engineering you’re interested in.

It’s important not to overstress yourself with trying to ‘find’ a specialism within engineering, as this will often come naturally to you as you progress within your career. The knowledge you learn at university is only the stepping stone into the industry and you will develop and learn a lot more by being in the industry.

What would you recommend students should do at university, over and above their academic study, to make them more employable in the graduate market?

I would always recommend reaching out to prospective employers to find out if they are able to offer placement opportunities ahead of your final year of university. This will provide you with a more rounded CV. Don’t be afraid to attend networking events ahead of graduating. This is a great place to meet industry professionals.

Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?

As a part time student, I wanted to attend a university that was easily accessible and which worked perfectly with the train routes. I also wanted to study at a well credited university.