Building a Career in Structural Engineering
There are many different pathways into structural engineering, and every career journey is unique. We caught up with our Structural Director, Dan, to hear how it all began for him, what sparked his interest in the industry and the experiences that have shaped his career along the way.
What first drew you to structural engineering and construction, and what did your early career look like?
"I was intrigued by the built environment and particularly building structures from a young age. I was lucky enough to visit many interesting and impressive structures during holidays in my childhood such as, the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower which fuelled this growing passion for structural engineering. My early career was mostly spent working in Sheffield for a company renowned for their technical proficiency which gave me an excellent technical grounding and enabled me to work on such interesting structures as the Shard, Sheffield College and Blackpool Town football club."
Looking back, what were some of the key moments, opportunities or people that helped shape your journey towards becoming a Structural Director?
"I think many of my key moments have been learning from my mistakes which, unfortunately, have been many but from which I have learned valuable lessons and become a better more rounded engineer as a result. These experiences have shaped my career and have been pivotal in my progression through to Director level. Integral to this is the help and support I've received from mentors and colleagues throughout my career to who I am indebted."
Can you tell us about a project or challenge in your career change that first pushed you outside your comfort zone, and what you learned from the experience?
"The first managerial position that I undertook certainly pushed me outside my comfort zone. As structural engineers we spend the early part of our careers gaining proficiency in the technical side of the field. As such managerial responsibilities can require a very different set of skills. Whilst the experience pushed my out of my comfort zone it's something that I embraced wholeheartedly and I now take great satisfaction from that side of my role. Key skills developed from this include people management, communication, leadership and delegation. It also helped improve my confidence in my skills as well as my resilience and adaptability."
Having progressed from starting out in the industry to a senior leadership role, what do you think are the qualities that really help someone build a successful career in structural engineering?
"I think confidence, communication, adaptability and ambition are key qualities for success in the industry. The first two are ones that I have developed over time and I am proud of the progress I have made in these areas. I think one lesson I've learned during my career that, if I could go back to the start and instil in my younger self, is that, no matter how strong an argument people make for something, they're not always right. There is nothing wrong with voicing your own opinion no matter who it is."