b'Partner News Winter 2022 11AcademicPlacement students like Laura spend theirfelt surreal as a young female engineer to second semester of fourth year workingbe explaining our design to a group of male in industry for approximately six months.engineers, significantly older than me. All students completing the mechanicalThe company has a strong and electrical MEng programmes areWe also had some questions andculture that I have been able encouraged to take this placement, asdiscussions, and it was a very valuable they believe its key to improving theexperience, said Laura. For the waterto enjoy and feel part of at the employability of its students. As part ofquality project, my responsibilities not onlyEdinburgh office. The projects the placement, students submit a reporthelped me develop as an engineer, but also that encompasses the UK-SPEC chartershipfelt like I was having a real impact on theI worked on were varied and competencies, preparing them for theircommunity and the environment. challenging in some way, future chartership application process. pushing me to always learn, Lauras manager said, Its been great Laura is currently in her sixth month atworking with Laura. Shes full of enthusiasmbut being very rewarding at the global engineering, management andand its infectious. We dont take peoplecompletion.development consultancy, Mott MacDonald.gently by the hand; we get them involved Shes working as an electrical engineerimmediately in the production of project placement student in the water consultancydeliverables, and our clients have certainly business, and is involved in a variety ofhad excellent value in professional outputs different projects and clients. from Laura. She has to return to university soon and shell definitely be missed.Working at Mott MacDonald has been an incredible experience. My manager and buddy made me feel welcome and supported from the first day, and I was given moreQuick fire Q&A with Laura freedom and responsibility as I learnt, she said.Who do you look up to? Definitely my dad. There are also The company has a strong culture that Itwo female engineers in the Mott have been able to enjoy and feel part of atMacDonald electrical teamVoon the Edinburgh office. The projects I workedLai and Rachel Arthurtheyre on were varied and challenging in some way,knowledgeable and bold, and Id like to pushing me to always learn, but being verybe like them one day. rewarding at completion.What have you enjoyed theDuring her placement, Laura has beenmost about your placement atworking in teams with civil, mechanical andMott MacDonald? process engineers on a variety of projects inIve enjoyed the responsibility Ive been the water sector. She has worked on a largegiven; Ive been the main electrical flood defence scheme in Leeds, as part ofdesigner on some projects. Ive also the mechanical and electrical team designingreally enjoyed the culture and internal the power and control requirements for floodinitiatives at Mott MacDonald, like their control structures, which will alleviate thesustainability week, where colleagues consequences of flooding for homes andreflected on important topics through businesses in the area. talks, panels and discussions. It really inspired me to be better and work Laura has also been part of a projectbetter.improving bathing water quality by reducing sewage discharges into the sea, connectingDo you have any advice forhomes to the main sewer network. She hasnew placement students?designed the electrical requirements forEven if its scary at first, take allmultiple network pumping stations whichthe opportunities youre given.will solve these issues. At Mott MacDonald, Ive been able toget involved in some very exciting Both of these projects taught me a lotprojects just by saying yes to people about low voltage design, control andwho were looking for help. communications systems and even project management and commercials. For theSo, always take part in new thingsLeeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phaseand ask lots of questions!!2, I was able to go on site with relevant stakeholders to discuss our work, and it'