Lyndsey Barrett

"I am hard-working and enjoy applying innovative, creative and sustainable solutions. I am passionate about effective collaboration, and encourage different cultures, approaches and ideas to drive efficient and positive change. Having the personality type of a Coach means I have good listening skills and can be found to be trustworthy when working with a range of people. Being a Coordinator means I have good communication skills, work efficiently, and pull people together to deliver what others need. Being a Developer means I am inquisitive, enjoy broadening my knowledge to make things better, and use creative problem-solving skills to achieve desired solutions. These qualities are necessary when working as an engineer within diverse teams and environments, and understanding project and client/customer expectations to produce great results."

"I design the mechanical services within a building that allow it to function, creating a safe and healthy environment for people inside. My tasks involve: - Calculating the size of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and water services systems for buildings. - Researching and developing different services options and layouts inside buildings for the client to choose from. - Creating 3D building services models using computer modelling software and drawing services on building layouts for construction in real life. There are many different elements that form a building, which need to be designed collectively and in consideration of each other. As a Mechanical Engineer, I must work closely with other disciplines including Electrical Engineers and Architects, to coordinate each different service effectively and produce a fully functioning building design that the client is happy with. The starting salary for my role could be between £22,000 - £26,000."

"I had a strong interest in both engineering and architecture during my secondary school and college years, but I was not sure of what I wanted to do as a career. This led me to study a combination of my interests from a BEng (Hons) degree in Architectural Environment Engineering at the University of Nottingham. My interest to pursue a career in sustainable building design was inspired by the energy efficient lifestyle of my final year dissertation supervisor. Carrying out research on my supervisor’s house in Nottingham; equipped with photovoltaic (PV) roof panels, ground-source heat pump (GSHP) and solar collectors, I investigated the ways in which enhancing a ground-source heat pump with solar collectors could reduce the heating energy requirement of a house, with part of the building's power requirement being provided by PV electricity generation. I found this enthusiasm to practically live sustainably, an inspiring vision for the future. After I graduated, I went on an eight-week voluntary work experience placement, and was later offered my first job in the Building Services Engineering industry as a Mechanical Engineer."

"I am a keen artist and create artwork for friends and family, such as portraits, cards, gifts and party decorations. I enjoy listening to different types of music and singing, whilst training to improve my voice with my vocal coach. I find travelling and experiencing different cultures exciting, and enjoy African dance, Martial Arts, theatre productions and concerts. I also enjoy spending time with my cats and observing their interesting characteristics and behaviours!I enjoy long-distance running and charity fundraising. I have designed posters and faith-based activities, raising awareness to help tackle community issues such as homelessness. I enjoy meaningful discussions about faith and purpose, believing that everyone has talents and skills which can be used to make a lasting, positive impact in the world."

"My typical day consists of reading client reports and engineering guidance, to understand what the client wants and to check what I need to deliver a project. Using computer programs, I will create spreadsheets and reports for my engineering calculations and design ideas. I will phone and email engineering manufacturers, to discuss how their products can be used in my design. I will sketch my design on a building layout to get a rough idea of how it will look and work. I will arrange a design team meeting with the Architect and Electrical Engineer to present my ideas and coordinate, discussing what I need from them and what they need from me to help complete the building design. After getting feedback from the design team, I will revise my design to suit their comments and present it to the client for approval. If the client is happy with my design, it can be developed in more detail before being sent to the construction site engineers to build."

"A-levels in Art, Mathematics and Biology - Ellen Wilkinson School for GirlsBachelor of Engineering with Honours (BEng Hons) in Architectural Environment Engineering - University of NottinghamMaster of Science (MSc) in Built Environment: Environmental Design and Engineering - University College LondonGraduate Design Engineer - Gratte Brothers Group LtdGraduate Engineer - CundallIntermediate Mechanical Engineer - DSSR Consulting EngineersBuilding Services Manager - GRAHAM Group"