Raisa is a Graduate Engineer in the bridge team at Hyder Consulting (UK)’s Guildford office. She joined Hyder Consulting in July 2013 after graduating from University of Surrey, where she was on the Hyder sponsored scholarship scheme.
My aunt was a Structural Engineer working with bridges and was a great inspiration to me. I learnt that civil engineers are required to study such diverse subjects as geology, mathematics, structural analysis, environmental engineering, economics, surveying, computing, hydraulics and systems analysis, and I found the prospect of study in these areas most appealing.
After my GCSEs, I developed a keen interest in engineering and chose three subjects, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, closely related to engineering, as well as Economics, for my A-levels. I felt these subjects gave me a secure foundation to study engineering at University.
Being a civil engineer appealed to me as it gave me the opportunity to make a meaningful and useful contribution to the development of our environment. It would allow me to design buildings, bridges, airports, dams, power stations, pipelines; the list is endless!
I was more interested in consultancy (rather than contracting) as designers are responsible for working with clients to plan, manage, design and supervise the construction of projects. The job involves a lot of office-based activities as well as the need to visit sites. As a consultant, I am able to think both creatively and logically to resolve design and development problems and manage changes, as clients may change their minds about designs. I would also be visiting contractors on site and advising on civil engineering issues, so I will be in a key position to ensure that projects run smoothly and are completed on time and within budget.
As a civil engineer, I want to understand how engineering knowledge can help make the world a better place, in a sustainable way and improve environmental management practices. Thus my long-term goal is to gain professional qualifications such as becoming a Chartered Engineer and inspire others to follow this amazing career option.