Molly McMaster

"As a self-motivated, practical and creative individual I am suited to my work in Civil Engineering. I am interested in construction and how buildings and areas are built, emphasising the ‘Developer’ side of my personality. I also have an interest in developing areas and helping on projects to improve their water access, which shows both the ‘Innovator’ and ‘Explorer’ side of my personality. Due to working on a site, a lot of what I do involves working out ways to solve known problems that appear or become apparent. My creative side is of use as a lot of my time is spent on drawing up the plans."

"I currently work on a coastal defence construction project. This will help to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. The project aims to improve the seafront for generations to come, stimulate regenerating and protect the community and the area's unique heritage. I work on assessing the buildability of drawings, communicating with the workforce and organising materials involved in the construction process. This includes day-to-day setting out of co-ordinates and installation of precast. I work with a variety of people each day, including designers, planners, subcontractors, plant operators and work managers to ensure that all areas of the project work together to reach the end goal. "

"I chose to study STEM-based subjects at A-Level, including Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Geography – all great subjects for my career. I then went on to study an integrated masters degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Bath where I also completed an industrial placement year to gain early experience of the industry.Key motivation behind choosing this route was seeing the area develop in which I grew up. I was inspired by the construction going on, such as in the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. The feats alongside the coastal engineering work inspired me to think about how the infrastructure around me was designed and built. Having female physics teachers helped me to realise that a women could study the subjects required to a part of this construction. "

"Aside from work and studying, I am a keen athlete. Even though I have moved around to different jobs, I have usually managed to join a hockey team where I can play and meet new people! I also like to explore different places on my bike or out running. Now I live back by the sea, I enjoy popping in for a swim after work when I can.In the future, I would like to see myself continuing to work on projects that make a difference to people’s lives. My aim would be to continue to work on water management, sanitation or coastal protection work. Having grown up next to the sea, especially with the impact climate change is having, I’d like to work to protect livelihoods. I would also like the opportunity to work in less developed areas where clean water access is limited and sufficient sanitation is not always ensured."

"My day changes day-to-day depending what is happening out on site. It can range from being outside setting out lines and levels for the machines to dig towards or supervising concrete wagons for concrete pours. As well as being outside, I do office-based paperwork including sketches, progress checks and safety observations to ensure the correct work is being carried out in a safe manner. I will assess the drawings that designers give us and work out how to build them on site. "

"I have 12 GCSEs including Triple Science, English, Maths and Further Maths, Geography and Resistant Materials. I then studied Maths, Geography and Physics at A-Level and Chemistry at AS Level. I recently graduated with an MEng in Civil Engineering with a placement year from the University of Bath. "