“As I have got older, I have realised that most of what I know, I have learned from the generosity of others who spent time, often when they didn’t have it, to help me learn and develop.” Liz Brown, Partner, CampbellReith
Lifetime opportunities to do something great helps us #shapetheworld
I was incredibly lucky to get the opportunity to work on the Proton Beam Therapy Centre for UCLH Trust. PBT is a highly targeted form of cancer treatment that can be used on children and young adults, and minimises damage to surrounding tissue. It is only the second such PBT centre in the UK.
For engineering, ground-breaking projects like this keep the industry innovating. Not only was it fantastic to be involved in this life saving scheme, but the project was fascinating for me as a geotechnical engineer. The excavation alone was large enough to house the Albert Hall and being in central London, it is surrounded by buildings, tube tunnels and other sensitive infrastructure. The site even has a geological fault beneath it. So, it provided a huge challenge and was one of the most rewarding learning experiences I have had.
Giving something back is the only way to invest in talent
Like many of us, I hope that by my example, I have encouraged young women to consider a career in engineering. However, hands-on mentoring with young women and girls to share the opportunities that exist for them in engineering, has given me the greatest satisfaction. For the last few months we have had a school leaver working with us. She was introduced to me through a mutual friend after expressing an interest in geosciences. We invited her to spend a month with us as an intern to understand how geology and engineering overlap. She impressed us all and quickly became a valued member of the team; so much so that one month turned into eight, while she waits to take up a place at university. Having seen what we do in the ground engineering team, I’m delighted to say that she has chosen that as her field of study.
Your vision, our world – we can all make a difference
Engineering has taken me all round the UK and to different countries, and allowed me to meet an incredibly diverse range of people. To #shapetheworld you need to understand the world you work in and I hope those experiences have done that and made me more broadminded and open to new and different ideas.
As I have got older, I have realised that most of what I know, I have learned from the generosity of others who spent time, often when they didn’t have it, to help me learn and develop.