Karen Andrew

"I am an organised, self-reliant and logical person. I need to be the ‘Quality Controller’ type as I produce equipment specifications in order to select the correct equipment for each project. As the ‘Explorer’ and ‘Developer’ types, I enjoy solving real problems and knowing my work has a positive impact on people’s lives."

"I am a Mechanical Engineer, responsible for the mechanical design of projects for upgrades to existing and new water and wastewater treatment works. I started my engineering career working in the oil and gas industry which I loved - the water sector is just as rewarding.I am a Mechanical Engineer working on water system infrastructure and water supply networks. Think about how water gets to your home and school, and where the waste goes to! Since Mechanical Engineering is such a varied subject and you can work in numerous different roles and industries, I would advise getting some work experience. It can be really useful to give you an insight into a job and help you determine which industry is the most interesting to you. "

"I was inspired to be a Mechanical Engineer by Formula 1, which was a sport I loved as a teenager! I graduated from university with a master’s in Mechanical Engineering. I then did several roles in the oil and gas industry, first as a Maintenance Engineer with a starting salary of £35,000, then designing pumps and then designing valves and actuators for underwater systems. I changed industry 3 years ago to work in the water industry designing water and wastewater treatment works.I was initially attracted to the oil and gas industry as it is a fast-paced environment and is highly technical. However, I left the industry for a job closer to home and have been surprised how rewarding and technical the water industry is. "

"I enjoy being outdoors and regularly go hill walking and camping. I also like running and playing tennis. In my current role, I have the opportunity to travel all over Scotland to visit the sites I am designing. In previous roles I have also had the opportunity to work offshore on oil production platforms and have travelled internationally to client meetings in Malaysia and South Korea. I also worked in Malaysia for 3 months setting up a manufacturing site which were assembling subsea equipment I had designed.There are lots of opportunities for progression available to me. I can focus on a technical career becoming more senior and eventually becoming a chief engineer. Alternatively, I have the option of going into a project management role. I can see myself staying in the water industry, progressing with a technical career path and starting a family."

"A typical day will involve doing pump performance calculations to select the correct equipment for the project, and sketching layouts for equipment which the Computer Aided Design team turn into drawings. I produce equipment specifications for buying mechanical equipment for the project and discuss the design with the client. I really enjoy seeing a design I have produced being built and commissioned. I find it very satisfying to know that my job contributes to people being able to turn on their tap and get fresh, clean drinking water. "

"I got 8 Standard Grades, 5 Highers (English, Maths, Physics, Computer Science, Geography) and 3 Advanced Highers (Maths, Physics, Geography) before completing a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering."