Interview: Student Structural Engineer – Alima Jahan

I joined LSY Engineering Consultants Ltd through a program my university offered to first year students. As someone who’s just begun their journey toward becoming an engineer, I thought it would be good to seize the opportunity to experience life in the engineering industry during the summer before starting my second year of university. Reflecting on this decision, I am glad I did, as it allowed me to broaden my horizons and discover the amount of time and dedication it takes to be not just a good engineer but potentially a great one. Although my primary interests are in the mechanical and aerospace sectors, delving into the field of structural engineering has been fascinating. It’s been marvellous to see how buildings are planned from an initial concept to the final structure and having the chance to undertake site visits made this even more extraordinary.

My role within the company has been diverse, encompassing marketing and business tasks as well as supporting colleagues on projects whether that be preparing and issuing reports or making templates for efficiency. The training I received has helped me expand my knowledge and skill set, particularly in business and management. Without a doubt, I have learnt something new every single day that I’ve been part of LSY, and it has genuinely given me a much better understanding of how working within the engineering industry alongside professionals is truly like – insights that can’t be gained in a university setting. Seeing your efforts materialize into something tangible or impactful, no matter the scale, I believe is the biggest difference between university and working in industry and also one of the best parts of being an engineer.

As this was my first engineering internship experience, I want to extend my gratitude to the team at LSY, especially the director, Seán, for his invaluable guidance throughout the two months I was there. The team’s encouragement and support have been incredible, creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment for growth and learning. I’m grateful to have received a chance to work at LSY, the two months have been a massive learning experience, and I now feel much more confident and prepared to tackle similar tasks in the future.

I strongly recommend taking on experiences like these; all you need is motivation and a willingness to learn.