“There are so many exciting engineering disciplines, explore what fascinates you.” Natalja Petkune, Project Structural Engineer, CampbellReith.
Natalja is a project structural engineer at CampbellReith and has been a rising star since 2016.
Natalja’s career has been inspired by her family’s support but it was also Natalja’s sheer determination and a love of maths and physics that has contributed to her career success.
Who inspired you to take up your career and why?
My parents didn’t go to university, but they have always encouraged me to pursue my career in the area I liked. Even when I have decided to study abroad, they supported me at every step, helping me with additional tuition and financial support required.
Why did you choose engineering?
I always liked finding solutions to problems, using different methods to approach them. My favourite subjects at school were physics and maths, engineering is a discipline which combined an application of both of them and opened up a lot more.
What is the best part of your job? How has your job helped you shape the world?
The best part of the job is that every day is different. One day I can be designing a new steel or concrete framed building, another day undertaking a site visit inspecting existing building which requires strengthening works or part of the development scheme. Everything we do has an impact on shaping the world in which we live.
In 2018, I was elected as a representative of YMG in IStructE council, which was gave me an opportunity to give my views on shaping ‘The Future of Our Profession’. As an engineer, the opportunities to shape the world are endless and giving something back to those who aspire to be in engineering is critical to the future of our profession.
Do you have any advice to girls wishing to become engineers?
There are so many exciting engineering disciplines, explore what fascinates you!