What’s your role and how long have you worked for NHBC?
I’m a Specialist Geotechnical Engineer within the Land Quality Service team, and in August I’ll have been with NHBC for four years. I joined as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer and have progressed since then to my current position.
How did you get into your career?
When I was considering what to read at university, I was unsure which direction to go in. I was lucky enough to have a teacher who suggested geology as I'd never even heard of it at the time. I'd always been interested in the sciences and I’ve always leaned more towards the practical than the theoretical, so after researching it, geology looked like a good fit. I was quite interested in fossils, but engineering geology looked to be more my kind of area and I moved into that.
After university I worked for a ground investigation contractor but sadly was made redundant after a month when the company folded. It was the mid-90s and a lot of firms were struggling. I found another job, but later decided I wanted to go back to university and I completed a Masters degree in soil mechanics with environmental geotechnics.
After my Masters, I was lucky enough to get a job as a geotechnical consultant in Florida where I worked for five years. From there I moved to Scotland, where I worked on large infrastructure schemes and flood defence schemes. Of all the very varied areas I’ve worked in, residential development is my favourite and I particularly love earthworks, so my current role is perfect for me!
What is it you love about your job?
My answer to that question goes back to what brought me into geology – I love the variety of my role.
I like the variety of sites I get to work on, and that as part of the LQS team I have the opportunity to build relationships with our customers and their project teams. Even though I’m an engineer the relationship management aspect is a really important element for me.
Helping customers move their project forward is something I really get a buzz from, rather than just working on the purely technical side. I also love having a super supportive manager who pushes us to explore the potential she sees in us. I’ve had more development opportunities during my four years at NHBC than I’ve had in all my previous jobs put together.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
On a typical office day, I review information submitted for sites and assess whether the works undertaken or proposed are acceptable against NHBC Standards Part 4. There’s a lot of reviewing reports written by consultants and contractors and piecing together site information. I determine whether we’ve got sufficient coverage and whether the proposals make sense in relation to ground conditions.
Other times I’ll be on sites undertaking visits and assessing how works are progressing. I’ll attend meetings with customers and their technical representatives to talk about any changes required.
It’s a very broad mix. I’m not just stuck behind the screen or always out on site or always in meetings. I get huge variety in my work.
Do you have any advice for somebody wanting to follow a similar career path?
I’d say if you like being outside, you like science and you enjoy variety, this is the job for you!
I won’t lie, it’s not glamorous as you can be out in the rain and on sites knee deep in mud but it’s incredibly interesting work. Working through problems and mitigating issues is really rewarding and I can influence the outcomes of huge projects and make sure things are done right.
There are fewer university courses and training opportunities in the wider field these days, so I do worry fewer people will be drawn to this part of the industry now, but it’s a wonderful and motivating career path. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to promote the work I do in careers talks and I’ve passionately recommended it!
