What's your job about?

My job is all about problem solving. In my role as a structural engineer at BCD Group, every day I work with a team of people to deliver structural engineering solutions. Day-to-day solutions can vary from structural engineering design involving design calculations and report writing, to completing structural observation by visiting construction sites. The team I work with includes engineering consultants across multiple disciplines as well as contractors on site. Communication is a big part of the job. Being able to clearly articulate your designs and the design intent to the team or the client is important and often achieved through several different mediums, including sketches, reports, phone calls and emails.  

What's your background?

I’ve grown up on a farm in the Waikato and went to high school in Cambridge. I have always had a passion for fixing things and building things. Never would I have considered engineering as career path until it was suggested to me by the school careers advisor. With my strengths in mathematics and physics, engineering seemed like a good fit with my passion for problem solving and building stuff.

With my practical knowledge-base from my farming upbringing, I am always eager to seek to understand how things work and visualise how different structural elements fit together. As a consulting engineer, I have come to learn that a lot of time is spent in the office, and this is something I am endeavouring to balance out with my many hobbies. Outside of the office my passion lies in any outdoor pursuit; hiking, mountain biking, hockey, tennis, volunteering in youth development, gardening, farming, and the list goes on.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Most definitely! Anyone with a passion for problem solving as part of a collaborative design team is well suited to the role of an engineer. Often engineering problems are complex in nature with many facets to be considered. Therefore, requiring collaboration with other designers to address all aspects of the complex engineering problem is essential. No one person is expected to know everything. An open mind and a willingness to learn will put anyone in good stead to pursue a career path in engineering.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is the variety of challenges that I get to face and diverse range of people I get to work with. Every day there is a different challenge to overcome as no two jobs are exactly the same. At BCD Group we complete design work for a broad variety of structures ranging from residential houses to large commercial workshops and warehouses. Not to forget the bespoke design elements such as balustrades or framing to support production line equipment. Completing design works for clients across many different sectors opens the door for learning about many different industries. The most rewarding aspect of the job is to see the results of your problem solving come to fruition. When a structure is constructed and you can see your designs come to life and be able to walk by and say “hey, I was a part of that,” or “I designed that”. It gives you an immense sense of pride.  

What are the limitations of your job?

The most challenging adjustment I have found with the job is adjusting to how mentally taxing the job is. As an engineer there is a considerable amount of responsibility associated with the work we do. As a practicing engineer you are the professional that people are coming to for advice. I have found that it is crucial to find a work-life balance and have outlets/hobbies that create balance. At BCD group we pride ourselves in being total property professionals, so to achieve this it is important to find outlets that enable you to start each day with a fresh mind. 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student:

1. University is an incredible platform for making connections, make the most of it and say yes to any opportunities to meet with industry professionals: Networking is such a key element of engineering. People are an invaluable wealth of knowledge, and it doesn’t hurt to have a network of people whom you can reach out to when you need. 
2. Have fun!! University is an amazing adventure. Yes, the study is important but so are other experiences including time spent with friends and the time spent learning and developing new skills an hobbies.  
3. Build good habits: time management and good communication are essential skills for any engineer. It’s never too early to work on developing these skills to set yourself up for success when you begin working.