The class of 2014: Consultants and engineers

Emma-Kate Ryan

Age: 25
Qualification/training: First class honours degree in Construction Management and Engineering, diploma in Business and Contract Law. Commencing a masters in Quantity Surveying in October
Job: Graduate quantity surveyor in the QS Infrastructure (QSI) Team
At: Faithful+Gould, London
From: County Limerick, Ireland

Why did you want to join the industry?
The idea of managing complex construction projects seemed exciting and dynamic. The industry in Ireland when I started studying was experiencing an unparalleled decline, but I had always wanted to travel and work abroad, so this didn’t affect my decision.

What did you think about the image of construction when you decided to join?
I received some discouragement before I commenced my studies - there seemed to be the impression that as a woman, I might find it harder to succeed.

How forward thinking do you perceive construction to be?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how forward thinking and innovative the QSI team at F+G is. It is continually adapting to meet clients’ needs and it is exciting to put all the new programmes and techniques I heard about while studying into practice.

Are you worried the culture of the industry will present challenges?
I did a placement in my third year of university as a site engineer. Before this, I was worried that as the only female on site, I might not be taken seriously. I was lucky to receive great support from my project manager; his influence has shaped the path I have taken.

First year ambitions?
To settle in with the QSI team, gain as varied experience as possible, and start my journey to becoming chartered.

Longer term ambitions?
Becoming chartered within the next two-three years, and gaining my Masters. I’m particularly interested in contracts and construction law, so I would also like to gain international experience in this area.

Emily McLoughlin

Age: 22
Qualification/training: Masters in mechanical engineering
Job: Graduate mechanical engineer in the building engineering division
At: Aecom, St Albans
From: East Grinstead, West Sussex

Why did you want to join the construction industry?
I always had a big interest in building design and project work, from when I was in school on the Engineering Education Scheme, for which I worked on a project over a couple of years. I want to look at a building and say I contributed.

What did you think about the image of construction when you decided to join?
I thought of it as being about innovation - London 2012, sustainable design, all that kind of thing. The stereotypes are from people who haven’t been anywhere near the industry. The public would say it’s backward thinking; it just needs a different image.

How forward thinking do you perceive construction to be?
Absolutely forward thinking. It has to be because it needs to train people for the future of the industry. It’s not just the people about to start, it’s the people it’ll need in five years.

Are you worried the culture of the industry will present challenges?
No. There are women in the industry, and the things you hear are just a perception. I don’t worry about anything.

First year ambitions?
To pick up as many skills as possible.

Longer term ambitions?
To become a chartered engineer, and then to become a project manager, that’d be my ultimate goal. If Aecom let me be a director, then that’d be great, because then
I’d be rich.

Jack Carroll

Age: 23
Qualification/training: MEng Civil Engineering with Year In Industry
Job: Graduate structural engineer
At: Atkins, London
From: Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

Why did you want to join the construction industry?
To get involved in large-scale projects that make a real impact and also the sense of achievement from having a tangible result at the end of the work. Previous work experience on site and in design offices plus a year in industry confirmed to me it is a rewarding industry to be a part of.

What did you think about the image of the construction when you decided to join?
I thought it was an industry that in general is undervalued by the wider public. It can often be seen as noisy and inconvenient while the end results of improved infrastructure, secure energy, clean water and many more are often overlooked.

How forward thinking do you perceive construction to be?
The construction industry is fairly forward thinking as many strive to improve efficiency and reduce cost and emissions through innovative design and construction methods. However, as with many industries there is a large part that is resistant to change that needs to be overcome for the full benefits to be realised. BIM is a great example of this where the industry could achieve much more rapid change if employees at all levels get fully on board.

Are you worried the culture of the industry will present challenges?
At first I was concerned that it would be tricky to bring up my ideas to more experienced engineers but so far I have found that any ideas, as long as well backed up, are welcomed and explored.

First year ambitions?
To gain as much experience as possible on a wide variety of projects. I also want to build on my technical knowledge gained at university by relating it to real world situations and more complex problems. Atkins is involved in such a broad range of sectors so I would like to experience as many different areas as possible.

Longer term ambitions?
Long-term I would like to work towards becoming a chartered engineer and to take advantage of the global nature of the company to get involved in some work abroad.

Bilaal Ali

Age: 21
Qualification/training: Degree in building surveying
Job: Building surveying graduate scheme
At: John Rowan & Partners, London
From: Childhood spent in Tottenham, London and Basildon, Essex, UK

Why did you want to join the construction industry?
My father was a developer and ran a contracting firm, so it was something I was always interested in. I like the mixture of office work, being suited, and then going out on site.

What did you think about the image of construction when you decided to join?
As a child I would travel in and out of Liverpool Street station and see the towers going up in the city and think I wanted to be involved.

Are you worried the culture of the industry will present challenges?
When I was younger I did worry. Particularly when in Essex where I was more of a minority. But as soon as I came to London, which is so multicultural, I thought I could fit right in - as long as I did a good job.

Jamie McGovern

Age: 22
Qualification/training: BA Hons in History and Politics. Studying towards an MSc in Quantity Surveying and a RICS APC Qualification
Job: Graduate quantity surveyor
At: Gleeds, London
From: Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Why did you want to join the construction industry?
Both my father and brother are in the industry, as a development manager and a project manager, so I had a lot of exposure to the industry growing up. I visited sites and offices with my dad a lot when I was young.

What did you think about the image of construction when you decided to join?
I had a fairly good knowledge of construction before joining Gleeds. But I am not sure the industry is well promoted. If the industry was portrayed more like The Apprentice and less like Bob the Builder I think it would prove a lot more attractive to graduates.

Sam McGuire

Age: 23
Qualification/training: Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying BSc. 1st Year RICS APC Candidate
Job: Assistant Cost Manager
Company: Turner & Townsend, London
From: Northampton, UK

Why did you want to join the industry?
My dad is a keen amateur builder, and when I was 13 he built - and project managed the construction of - our family home. I got involved in every way I could, from helping mix cement to agreeing the plans and crunching the numbers.

How forward thinking do you perceive construction to be?
Before my degree I had a similar impression as many people outside the industry - that construction was male-dominated and rather conservative. But my studies showed me that both the technology and the ways of working in the industry are constantly progressing. I feel now is a great time to be joining the industry and I’m looking forward to seeing those changes up close and personal.