Why did you decide to join Mott MacDonald?
When I finished university I was looking for a company that was involved in many different aspects of engineering. Mott MacDonald really fit the bill in that respect and also the fact that it was a global company made me realise that I could have opportunities to work in different parts of the world with the same company.
What is the best thing about your role?
The best thing about my role is that I get to work with many different people, from clients and colleagues to members of the public and affected stakeholders. I also enjoy the fact that I can be working on different types of projects and different aspects of my projects all in the one day.
How would you describe the culture of Mott MacDonald?
One of the best things about Mott MacDonald is the people; it really is like a family. I recently had the opportunity to work in the Middle East, and while I had never met any of the team before I went out; I felt like I had known them for years after only a few days. There is that feeling that if you’re with Mott MacDonald your one of us.
How do you feel your career has progressed while working at Mott MacDonald?
Working for a large company such as Mott MacDonald has given me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects across various sectors and in different countries. I have gained such a broad range of knowledge from working on these projects that I wouldn’t get in other companies. Mott MacDonald also has great training and mentoring programmes. I’ve just started the ‘Horizons programme’ which is designed to assist employees with their professional qualification to plan their career and get support from the company to achieve their career goals.
What project will be one you tell your kids about?
My role is in the transportation sector, but I got a chance to work in our water and environment team on a flood relief scheme for a large town in Tipperary. I was part of the employer’s site supervision team during the construction stage and supervised different aspects of the build from road ramps to new drainage systems and even the construction of a new bridge with folding glass parapets. Not long after the project was completed, widespread flooding hit the country, but the town of Clonmel went unscathed due to the works we had carried out. It was very special to know that something you were involved in had an immediate effect on people’s lives and livelihoods.
Are you involved with any charities or do any volunteer work?
I am involved with the ‘Engineers Ireland STEPS programme’, which sends engineers out to schools to talk to children about engineering, science and maths. I have been particularly active in visiting girls’ schools, to try and address the gender imbalance in STEM subjects. Research has shown that have a role model is really important in children choosing to study these subjects.
Outside of engineering, I am an avid dog lover and at weekends volunteer in the kennels at the Irish ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’. I get to meet lots of different dogs as they make their way through the training programme to become either guide dogs or assistance dogs for children with Autism. I love spending time with the animals and knowing that I am helping in some small way to help people who are blind or vision impaired or families of children with autism.
Where is your favourite place?
The stone ring fort at my parents’ house, there is loads of wildlife living there and you get the feeling that there is so much history buried under the ground. It’s overgrown and really quiet which gives a real air of mystery to it.
